I want a C section..

[Chloeisobelle21]

Says it all really, I want a C section. I'm 14 weeks with second baby, and my 1st birth was a nightmare. Waters broke but failed to progress, was induced with a drip the next day after a day and a nights worth of very painful contractions meaning I had no sleep whatsoever. The midwife gave me a paracetamol to last the night with. Drip went in, basically forced to have an epidural that cause a huge panic attack due to the fear of complications from it and the feeling it gave me made me uneasy! Was on oxygen for about an hour with a heart rate of 140 due to panic. 6 more hours of labor and finally was told to start pushing, after 2 hours of pushing and literally nothing happening and me telling the midwife I couldn't do it anymore I had the doc come in with the forceps. Even though the epi was in place the whole sensation of feeling my baby being yanked out of me was terrifying and once she was finally out my placenta broke up inside me. The doctor had to put his hand up me to get it all out and it was the most agonising pain ever, I was screaming. Didn't even see my daughter until he started stitching me. Recovery was awful. And I still panic when I think back to it. This second pregnancy was unexpected and not planned so a huge shock all round. I cannot go through that again and although I haven't said to the midwife how I really feel, she did say oh second babies are easier. Well I don't want to take that chance. Will they let me have the section based on this?

[Brummiegirl15]

I absolutely would've thought so.

When is your next midwife appointment? Explain you would like to see a consultant and an appointment should be booked for you and you explain all the reasons mentioned.

I am discussing with my consultant having a c section after I've had 3 x mcs and I'm terrified. All my consultant has asked is that I research the risks, understand them and more importantly the impact of them.

So I've just been researching RCOG and NICE guidelines. You may wish to do the same as you can show you've really researched it.

Good luck!!

[Autumn2014]

My sil requested a csection for her second baby after the first was a failed induction
She had to argue her point but didn't give in and got it

[DriverSurpriseMe]

I requested a section after a third degree tear, and the consultant agreed it on mental health grounds (because my concerns about damaging myself further were wrong, apparently ).

No battles, no worry, no hassle. It was absolutely the best decision.

[Canyouforgiveher]

I had similar (although also had pph and really bad tear). The bi manual massage was the absolute worst pain I have ever experienced. Words cannot describe the sensation of having your tender brutalised uterus massaged from the inside and outside. I consider I dodged a considerable bullet in not being incontinent or having pain during sex as a result. I certainly wasn't going to try that bullet again.

I had 2 c sections for my subsequent births. My sister (a midwife) told me to tell the obs that I was at huge risk for ppn etc but in fact my obs looked at my notes and strongly recommended a c-section.

My subsequent births were lovely.

Say to your obs you want a c section as you are not prepared to take the risks of another forceps delivery. If they are reluctant, ask your obs why a subsequent birth would be different and ask what the risks are if similar happens. Make notes as he/she speaks. Honestly, after my first experience, I would have been the crazy woman in the hospital refusing to push if they hadn't given me a csection.

[Ataraxy]

Keep insisting that you want a c-section and don't back down. I also heard the second babies are easier speil. Except how would they know it would be easier in each case? They don't. So stick to your guns. In the end they will back you because of the trauma you dealt with first time around.

[expatinscotland]

You may have to be very firm but mental health is a clinical need. There are many threads on this here where you can find some very helpful advice.

[KatyN]

I've just come back from an appointment with the matron of the mw at my hospital. We discussed my first labour (induced, baby in distress, ventouse and inhaled meuconium meant he spent 2 weeks in nicu). I was amazed how understanding she was and how happy to put in place th things I needed to be less anxious this time round. I got referred t her after I lost it with my mw when she asked in passing how my first labour was. I'm also consultant led for other reasons but no one has belittled my first experience or how I want to manage the second.
So I would recommend you speak very openly to your mw about how you are feeling and ask for a referral if possible. Being stressed out for he next 20 weeks isn't ideal for you or your baby!
Good luck, k

[Chloeisobelle21]

Thanks for all replies. This has given me some hope. If they refuse me one I think I will just breakdown. The way my mental state is at the moment and my previous birth, well I just hope they listen. I'm not the best at always being pushy.

[DorotheaHomeAlone]

Chloe I'm sorry you had such a dreadful time. I has very similar except ended with c section not forceps. I'm definitely having a c section next time. You don't need to be pushy just firm and a consistent. "I had a traumatic experience last time. I want a c section". On repeat. They can't deny you it only make you jump through lots of hoops. You will be fine.

[Panickingalot]

I had an elective section. Start asking now. Do not be fobbed off. If ever told no ask for another mw or consultant. Be prepared with stats, info etc. Be calm and collected during meetings. Don't let them think your "being overly emotional".

Start reading Royal College of Gynae stuff on elective sections. Good luck.

[angelpuffs]

Hi Chloe
You don't have to worry. Not sure if you are aware, but women are now allowed to choose to have a c section without having to justify it. This was the case 2.5 years ago when I had my first child, though I opted to go for a natural birth. I'm now 7 months pregnant with DD2 and am having an elective c section.
The nhs don't tend to advertise the fact that you can choose a c section as they prefer women to have natural deliveries- mainly for cost reasons. But legally you are allowed to. Might be worth researching this before your appointment just in case they try to fob you off! X

[Chloeisobelle21]

That's really good to hear. I'm so nervous about telling my midwife!
I also feel like I'm being a bit of a sap. No disrespect to any other of the ladies that had this done. I'm sure this is a pretty normal feeling right?

[angelpuffs]

Just stick to your guns. As I said, the nhs won't advertise a c section as an option- but as long as you know it is hopefully it will give you the confidence tom get the outcome you want. As a previous poster said on this thread, if the thought of a normal delivery is making you so anxious, that's enough of a reason in itself for having a c section. And after your previous experience, no one could blame you! I feel completely sure that I'm making the right decision and so should you! X

[Sandsnake]

So sorry to hear about your experience OP . I can only really echo others by saying that you need to be completely clear and consistent with what you want and to not back down. In your head you need to be convinced that you are giving birth by ELCS and that any other plan will be unacceptable. Read up on the risks / benefits as this will help to demonstrate to the doctors that you understand what the surgery entails and how serious you are about the choice you have made. Good luck with it all.

[TaliZorah]

Yes you can. I asked for an ELCS because I have a family history of traumatic birth. I was given the pros and cons even though I'd done my own research and then was asked if I understood them and then it was fine. No fights, no arguments. Mine was still traumatic because DS wasn't well but the physical c section wasn't painful or unpleasant, Ive had injections that hurt more.

It does apparently depend on the hospital though.

[Chloeisobelle21]

I am scared of having a section I'll admit, but not as scared as the idea of giving birth again. It fills me with fear. I just can't go through that again, I'll travel to another hospital of mine won't do it. Gonna read up about it though before I see the midwife

[DorotheaHomeAlone]

Good luck Chloe. I'm going through the same process at the moment. I've made it clear that I know all about VBAC and it's not for me. They've pulled up my notes and my next step is a meeting with a midwife consultant. I plan to be robotic and repetitive. I loved my EMCS and had no problems. The labour was the scary bit!

[WorzelsCornyBrows]

Make your case and stick to your guns. I allowed myself to be talked into trying naturally again, I ended up having an EMCS anyway. I wish I'd dug my heels in.

[MinesAPintOfTea]

The only thing I'm wondering is how you will do with the spinal for a c section? You can always decline it for a vaginal birth, but its pretty much required for a c section.

But yes, request, ask to see a consultant, the nhs guidelines say every wpman can request a c section due to long term outcomes and costs being practically the same.

[Jw35]

You can choose to have a c section. I asked for one and got it no questions asked x

[DriverSurpriseMe]

The only thing I'm wondering is how you will do with the spinal for a c section?

What do you mean? That the OP will be too scared?

Personally, I was so relieved and delighted to be having a section, I would have walked across hot coals to get to the operating theatre. I was worried about the spinal (although I had to have one when I had a third degree tear repaired) but it was over quickly. Definitely a small price to pay compared with the pain of labour.

[MinesAPintOfTea]

Driver, the ops first specified negative was having an hour long panic attack because of the epidural. Therefore I thought she might struggle with a spinal.

Personally I found my epidural great, but understand not everyone likes them.

[goodnessgraciousgoudaoriginal]

Mine's - I think part of the fear from the epidural the first time round was from the lack of control (she mentions being "forced") and probably in combination with all the other nasty shit going down.

It's a different ball game to having a spinal as part of a requested procedure, and you are expecting it, etc.

It sounds like it's the actual trauma of labour that affected the OP, not necessarily the epidural in isolation.

[Chloeisobelle21]

It was t really the epi itself but more it was sort of forced upon me, and before I knew it I had a needle in my back, I think if I was expecting it I would of been calmer. The midwife just said you have to have one as your contractions will be to strong for you to handle because of this drip. The whole thing just threw me off guard and I felt really vulnerable. The forceps and my placenta breaking were the worst part though for sure

[Chloeisobelle21]

I also had a really unsympathetic midwife during my panic. She shoved an oxygen mask on my face without even telling me what she was doing or why, and got the anesitist (spelling?) because of my heart rate even though I was telling her I was having a panic attack. She was really cold about the whole thing. She left after that and I had a different midwife but I spent ages with her and didn't feel looked after at all