Hi ladies,
This is my first time posting on this forum, and I am somewhat of an imposter. The reason being, I am not yet pregnant!
My husband and I are ready to start a family in the very near future, but there is a problem.
I don't want to go into great detail, forgive me. However, I need to have an elective c-section. A natural birth is simply not an option for me.
As a teenager, I was raped. Due to a variety of reasons, that makes a natural birth absolutely impossible for me. I have had support, therapy, counselling etc. over the years and am generally doing well and in good mental health.
However, thinking about family planning and giving birth has caused a lot of emotions to resurface, and I have resumed counselling with a therapist specialising in rape survivors. She is wonderful and, knowing the full circumstances and having explored options with me, she completely understands my need for an elective c-section and inability to cope with a natural birth. My husband is supportive of this.
I have spoken with my GP, who has told me that psychological reasons can warrant an elective c-section, but "it depends on who you speak to". I have asked to speak with an obstetrician or midwife, but referrals are not made until I actually fall pregnant.
I need to know before I fall pregnant if I can have a c-section.
If I were to fall pregnant and then be told I must have a natural birth, I would be in a completely impossible situation. I would not want to terminate a very much desired pregnancy. And I could not have a natural birth.
It seems that access to maternity professionals only happens once you fall pregnant.
My husband and I are now in "limbo" because we will not start trying to conceive unless we know I can have a c-section. Our backup plan is adoption, and we would need to start that process fairly soon.
I would so appreciate any advice. Who can I speak with? What can I do?
Any pointers in the right direction would be so appreciated.
I hate that such an exciting time, planning for a baby, which should be filled with joy and hope... is actually dominated by this horrible incident that happened so many years ago. I hate that it affects what should be a wonderful time. I am losing sleep and am so worried about this. I am desperate to be a mother and my husband is being patient with me, but we need to move forward with this.
I am keen to find out what my options are. As my GP was not very helpful, I am turning to the people that surely know best - you!
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.
Childbirth
[Feeling lost and scared] Elective C-Section
27 replies
dolly1234 · 24/08/2017 12:48
OP posts:
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.