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Childbirth

How to get an elective c-section?

318 replies

islabonita · 06/09/2007 19:09

Hello there Ladies.
Is it really possible to get an elective c-section without any "medical reasons" such as placenta previa etc. Is total panic towards childbirth good enough reason to get one?
Is there anyone who got a c-section just because they felt like it was right option for them?
How did you get it and how difficult it was to persuade the consultants?
thanks

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beansprout · 06/09/2007 19:19

Have you given birth before? If so, was it traumatic, or is this your first?

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lubyluby · 06/09/2007 19:20

well i am sure many people will be on to deabte the right s and worngs of this subject. but to answer the question, yes you can get a c/section for fear of giving birth.

you need to get an appointment with a consultant at the hospital so weither your gp or midwife can refer you. the consultant should then have a lengthy discussion of your fears, hopes,a dn see if there are any other things they can do to alleviate your fears without booking you in for a section straight away.

i think most of us are scared of labor and giving birth, everyone wants to tell you ther horror stories and rarely do you hear about the positive experiences peopel have had.

i would say before you beome set on wanting a section and working yourself up about giving birth naturaly, try to make a sensible pros and cons list of c-section v normal delivery so that you can identify your fears and maybe deal with them.

good luck to you for which ever choices you make.

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tori32 · 06/09/2007 19:22

Sorry isla, unfortunately not. You can if you pay tho'. Unless you see a psychiatrist who states that mentally it will be damaging to you, then the NHS will not fund an elective section without medical cause.
Why would you want one? I had a very painful and long labour of 33 hours but only used a tens machine and gas and air until I had to go to hospital due to complications after 33 hours. If I can do it so can you ,because I am a complete wuss when it comes to pain. Normal delivery should be half that time. Look at it this way, lots of women have gone through it and are still here to tell the tale!

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tori32 · 06/09/2007 19:24

ps. I'm due again in March and even after having an emergency c-section under GA will definately be steering clear if I can this time

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tori32 · 06/09/2007 19:30

sorry isla that sounded like I was condemning you for your choice. I didn't mean it to come across like that, I'm just very anti c-section due to horrible experience having one with dd1. Had 6wks of practically solitary confinement after she was born because I wasn't allowed to drive, so couldn't do normal things like shopping, couldn't lift dd from certain positions, makes all aspects of motherhood more difficult including bf if thats what you want to do. Sorry its negative

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ScottishMummy · 06/09/2007 19:36

have a thorough consultation with obs consultant, and frankly discuss your individual anxieties/concerns/how u arrived at this dscision. he will take a history from u, asking specific questions, previous if any pg and their outcome

it may help to write things down as a prompt prior to any consultation, keep u focussed cover each point

is this your 1st pregnancy?

however a c-section is major abdominal sugery and as with any surgery there are associated risks
use of local anaesthetic
wound healing
mobility post op
minimal risk when spinal catheter inserted of nerve damage
no lifting post op
no driving post op
imapct on futuer pregnancy - having a c-section increases the likliehood that further pregnancies will also result in C-section
VBAC is itself a whole topic

the consultant has the final clinical decision, but yes fear of labour if likely to induce ssuch fear/alarm is valid reason

whatever u decide- good luck

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beansprout · 06/09/2007 19:40

I would also try to demonstrate that this an informed decision, that you have looked into the options, explored and considered them, that you know the risks etc, so you can't just be dismissed as having "the usual fears".

It is very, very normal to be scared of giving birth. I had panic attacks when I was pregnant with ds and I don't relish the prospect of doing it again (am preg now) but I do also know that it is manageable and doesn't, in the scheme of things, take that long.

There are lots and lots of positive stories on MN about birth, which can be very helpful when trying to prepare yourself.

Perhaps also start a thread asking about how people have dealt with their fears other than opting for a section?

Good luck

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Alfie72 · 07/09/2007 00:02

It's a good job that the elective c section peeps ( me included) haven't read too much of this site.. It's a bit doom and gloom !!

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Katsma · 07/09/2007 03:35

Not doom and gloom Alfie - just people being informative and realistic imo.

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slim22 · 07/09/2007 04:38

agree that you need more info before makig a decision.

You also have to realise that down time and healing after C section is much worse than actually going through natural birth with pain management.
Why not simply opt for full scale epidural?

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ScottishMummy · 07/09/2007 10:18

facts not doom and gloom alfie
sobering reading -yes
all true - yes
C section is major abdominal surgery, and as such contraindications and post operative wound management need to be acknowledged

i had an emergency c - so have knowledge

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CristinaTheAstonishing · 07/09/2007 10:43

I wanted a CS with my first as I was scared of childbirth, or rather of a forceps delivery. The consultant didn't dismiss it out of hand but set another appointment to discuss it further and decide when I'd have been 38 weeks and a bit. DS arrived early, a couple of days before my appointment. (It WAS traumatic, it was a forceps delivery in the end, I tore badly, I had blood transfusions, he had to be resuscitated etc.) This was nearly 8 years ago, though, and at a hospital that had a high rate of elective CS (one of the reasons I'd chosen it).

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blueshoes · 07/09/2007 11:47

isla, the answer to all your questions is yes. For a first birth, you might have to go on abit. Read up on the risks and if it is still what you want, then just be very clear about you want - be firm.

The NHS can be so crap at supporting mothers to deliver babies naturally, you have every right to request one.

I had 2 cs, first emergency and second elective. They were both very positive experiences and the recovery smooth and uneventful.

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CountessDracula · 07/09/2007 11:54

I have found it helps if you are a doctor

All the doctors I know who have had kids (bar one) have had elective C-sections

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Tinkjon · 07/09/2007 11:55

Yes, it is definitely possible. I requested one and got one for what you call 'non-medical' reasons. Psychological reasons actually are medical reasons. I saw my GP first, who suggested I write to my consultant. I did this (didn't even need to see him, just did it via a letter), I explained everything, and he readily agreed. This may be partly because I'd already had one c-section, but he definitely agreed to it on emotional grounds. Check out this link for your rights:

www.csections.org/rights.php

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MrsBoo · 07/09/2007 12:04

Isla, it wont be easy to get one, but keep trying - they will all try and put you off, thinking you're just being a wimp about pain. Its got nothing to do with the pain - it's your right to choose. I have had one Emer CS and one elec CS - so I have experience of both.
And everyone is different, recovery can be just as quick as VB. I had no problems both times. Back to normal in a week or so, including lifting/driving etc
good luck

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fizzbuzz · 07/09/2007 12:05

Yes, I requested one for those reasons. However I had had a horrible first birth. and this is a reason for a section.

The docs were fine about it, and seemed to accept it as a normal request. I had no problem.

You are entitled to ask, and if you are refused, you are entitled to another opinion.

I met one (female) young doctor, who was really unsupportive and quite snotty, but consultants were great.

It was the best experience of my life tbh

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Alfie72 · 07/09/2007 12:37

Scottish mummy and Katsma - I totally appreciate what you are saying about being realistic but also as someone with medical knowledge as well- I tink it is a case of weighing up pros and cons and not making people terrified either !!!

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BoldAsBrass · 07/09/2007 12:40

I know someone who had extremely strong psychological reasons for needing a section. But she was wary of pushing the matter and ended up having a vaginal birth. The psychological consequences of this to her were immense and devastating. So anyone who has such reasons for seeking a section should be listened to very carefully.

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islabonita · 07/09/2007 17:17

Hey hey and thank you all for your advice. its already made me feel a little less panicky.

i dont completely rule out vb, i just feel like im not given options and almost like im pushed to the corner by doctors and FORCED to tear myself im childbirth. The injuries to me and the baby are my main concern. Not the pain so much. I know ill be in pain from c-section but i dont care.

This is on my mind ALL the time, i cannot enjoy anything because its such a monster in my head.

If i knew i had the option i would be much happier.

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lulumama · 07/09/2007 17:20

there are lots of things you can do to make a v.b positive and to minimise the risk of tearing.. why do you feel you will be forced to tear?

there are risks of injury to you and the baby whether you have c.s or v.b

chances are you can minismise the risks if you educate yourself about v.b and talk to someone about why you are so afraid

there are many many things you can do to make the birth a positive and empowering thing

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islabonita · 07/09/2007 18:33

Well i am in the belief that almost all mothers are either cut or torn "downstairs" during childbirth so im preparing for that rather than hoping to not to get torn and then end up with 4th degree tear.
I hear that some ppl dont mind tearing and find it more bearable than having stitches in their abdomen. I wouldnt.
I have read positive birth stories and i am also educated in the risks of c-section, i do not think its risk free or easy or painless. But so isnt vaginal birth.
I still think c-section is a good option, but i ts hard when everyone around you is going on about how fantastic natural birth is ... and how natural is it in the end anyway with all the monitors, drugs, bright lights and strangers poking and and prodding you?

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Flibbertyjibbet · 07/09/2007 18:47

With ds1 I didn't tear but was cut when it looked like I was going to tear at the end stages of a long and traumatic birth. When I was due to give birth again I had counselling for my fears due to the first time but still never considered asking for an elective. I would say that I was in absolute total panic about giving birth again but realised it was something I had to do to get the baby I wanted. I had a stitched cut at my first birth and have to say it healed a darned sight quicker than the elective section scar for breech ds2 16 months later. And he was only a section baby because he was a 9lb breech.
Having pushed one out and had a section for medical reasons, I would push one out any time over another section.

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kittywits · 07/09/2007 18:50

There is no doubt that a natural birth is much less stressful; to the baby than a section. By natural I mean one without drugs and monitors.

It is plain wrong to consider a section just because you don't want to give birth

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CristinaTheAstonishing · 07/09/2007 18:57

Kittywits - she does want to give birth. Or do you consider an elective CS not really giving birth? Also no drugs and monitors - to satisfy someone's criteria of natural - is not always possible.

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