Hi there
Thanks in advance for reading my post. I am interested in finding out whether anyone has any experience of ELCS at Wirral (Arrowe Park) or Liverpool Women's.
I feel very strongly about having ELCS - this is an IVF baby and I am what I believe is termed a "geriatric mother" 
I had pre-implantation genetic screening because of a prior cancer diagnosis which means that I had major open abdominal surgery to remove a large tumour which ruptured my bowel. This was 10 years ago but the physical and mental scars are still very much present. I would very much prefer a calm, planned ELCS rather than a chaotic emergency one. I have a strong predisposition to bowel, womb and bladder cancer which is why I required IVF. My other reasons for wanting ELCS are:
- severe hospital phobia because of appalling treatment received in a NHS hospital around my diagnosis. I could not persuade anyone - nurse or doctor - to take my pain seriously. I was offered a psych referral when the problem was the giant carcinoma burning a hole through my large bowel. It eventually ruptured and I collapsed at the wheel of my car and injured a pedestrian. I realise that many NHS staff are not like this, but the thought of turning up in labour and appealing to the NHS for help when they might just laugh/turn me away again is absolutely terrifying and a cause of major anxiety.
- the cancer surgery was left so late that I lost a large amount of my bowel and have continence issues. I am not sure I could live a normal life and hold down a job if those issues are exacerbated by a natural delivery.
- there are huge mental health issues in my family. My DF committed suicide, my DM attempted suicide more than once and my DSis suffered from pre-natal psychosis and post-natal depression of such severity that she was hospitalised twice (once with my DN). I suffer from anxiety as a result of my cancer treatment (and possibly also the genetic link). I am on venlafaxine for this and I have been advised to keep taking it despite the risk for the foetus, because I simply cannot manage without it.
I have a slight preference for delivery at Arrowe Park because they have privare en-suite rooms. Part of the hospital phobia arose because of the dirt and stench that accompanied my stay on the ward before - think 2 toilets between 14 bowel surgery patients and the only shower for all patients was located in one of those bathrooms.
I have considered going private but we live in the NW and I believe that the only private facilities are in London - it would be difficult for me to travel home after abdominal surgery.
I would really like to get this agreed before 20 weeks if possible. I would have to seriously consider having a termination if I cannot get an ELCS - I know that sounds terrible but the fear and anxiety is too much and I would be suicidal if I was left any more incontinent than I already am or if I received similar treatment to that described above. (Incidentally, the poor treatment above occurred in a different part of the country).
Does anyone have any experience or can recommend a good consultant? Many thanks for reading if you have got this far
