Did you request a c section? If so was it difficult to get it?

Also meant to add my friend asked her consultant obstetrician about the options and about a csection and they said absolutely not to her. Wouldn't even discuss the pros and cons, which I think is very wrong.

It is generally safer and better for the baby to be born vaginally than via c-section if that's feasible. Obviously not in all cases. It is also much more costly for the NHS. I think it's the right thing that you should have to argue for a c-section - BUT it should be supported where there's need for it eg serious maternal mental health issues, family history of issues labouring eg pelvis not relaxing as it should, very large baby with small mother etc. It also should be offered proactively in those cases where mothers haven't raised it ie have you considered a c-section, this could be the safest route for your baby. It should be like any other medical treatment, medical staff should make patients aware of their options and pros and cons, and then agree a way forward.

My DiL requested a C Section (no medical reason) from the beginning- she faced no 'argument' etc from any of the midwives etc

I asked for a section with DC2 after a shit show of a vaginal birth with DC1. Referred to consultant and explained my reasons he asked me what date I would like and booked me in straight away.
Went in for my section, been there a few hours and all prepared, they put my canula in and said right we will be back in ten minutes to take you to theatre...im excited but terrified about the surgery. Ten minutes later in walks a different consultant who says he's just reviewed my notes and thinks I should go home and wait for labour to start naturally and try for a vaginal birth. I lost the plot and ended up hysterical...luckily my other half kicked off for me and I got my section but it was stressful. The midwife who was looking after me was furious and just stood hugging me for ages afterwards trying to calm me down, the doctor who actually did the section came in afterwards and asked me to complain!!!

Elective booked for second after an emergency with first. No issues or pushback.

Your body shouldn't grow a baby that can't fit its frame? What a sack of shit.

I think you’re right. I’m in my forties C-section births were much fewer back then. I wished I’d had the confidence to stand my ground, I really struggled with recovery but was so fed up I’d have said ok to pretty much anything.

The 1950's called, they want you back so you can stop poisoning the rights of women and their entitlement to good healthcare

Had 2 electives, granted at booking appointment basically! Practically suggested by the midwife. The first c section was for my second child after my first tore me in half on his exit 🙃 then third was basically a given because of my previous ELCS and maternal choice.

I had two elective c sections after a stillbirth. It wasn’t an issue at all, I couldn’t have gone through natural labour again and my consultant wholeheartedly supported that.

I asked for one as I started haemorrhaging following an induction. They couldn't tell me what would happen if they cracked on and broke my waters but still tried to convince me to go with that rather than a section. I put my foot down and DD was finally delivered 14 hours after the haemorrhage started, not breathing. Thankfully resuscitated, but that was without a doubt the worst night/day of my life. It was during one of the junior doctors strikes and they just didn't have the capacity for more sections.

Vaginal birth is better for baby as they pass through more of your microbiome and helps their immunity.

I had a vaginal birth and stitches down there which I couldn't take anything for except paracetamol due to bf. It was so painful, cant imagine having to deal with a c section healing on barely any pain meds if bf!

Your body shouldn't grow a baby that doesn't fit your frame, goes against nature as your frame carries them for 9m.

This is only the last couple of generations that it seems they push CS for breech babies.

When my brother was born he was 9lb 8 oz and breech and no one said a word about CS. I suspect midwives are losing the skill of delivering breech babies.

When my DD 1 was born I had the doctor trying to bully me into having a CS. Even shoved a consent form into my face. I was very vocal in telling them to stuff it.

I had 2, one emergency for my first and elective for the second.
To be fair to the medical staff, the only reason they tried to push for vaginal birth (in my trust at least) is that they are concerned about repeated surgeries if women go on to have 2-3-4 children. The risk of complications are much higher. They mentioned other reasons etc but this was really their main concern.

I didn't feel there was too much push back on my choice for the elective. First birth experience was horrible and traumatic due to lack of/ incompetent staff, and I would have preferred for them to tell me there would be midwifes etc to help me have a better experience the second time, but the consultant was honest and told me they just couldn't guarantee anything nowadays!

@ShanequaAndWhat (love the name!) I was terrified of having a emergency section because I nearly ended up with one for DS so I was determined to have a section from the beginning. I've still got injuries from having DS 6 years ago and I was so scared that they would be made worse.

Thank you, that’s very kind and I do appreciate it 😁

They told me I’d have an induction at 40 weeks because I was over 40 years old. I told them it was a c section or I would be free birthing at home. There was no way in the world they’d get me to go through anything so traumatic again (first child induced).
Cue whinging and whining from junior doctors and midwives about what a shame it would be to have an operation and how I would put my baby at risk. Consultant agreed to it without hesitation. I was only able to be this firm because it was my second child; the first time, I didn’t have a clue.
You are the boss of you.

Hello - please don't think it sounds pathetic, I know that feeling all too well. There are no medals for a certain birthing choice.

I have arthritic hips that have only about 50% of the rotation that a regular hip should have. I also have a related condition where I tire easily. I knew natural labour wasn't for me. I didn't WANT a c-section but, after a lot of consideration and orthopaedic opinion, I knew in my heart of hearts that it was the only way the baby would arrive safely. They STILL really tried to put me off. They didn't care about my other conditions and, I felt, were not making a balanced judgement of risk. I did make them book it however by being very stubborn about it and reminding them of the NICE guidelines. It was a moot point in the end as baby arrived prematurely via EMCS with about 30 mins notice as my placenta started to fail but I won't forget how shit they made me feel about my medically necessary choice before then.

I had an elective caesarean. It was right for me. Everyone is entitled to choose their own birth journey, and ELCS are just another vehicle to reach your destination.

I asked for one on medical grounds and had no trouble getting it. I went into it with a ‘no arguments’ mindset and laid out clearly why, with the support of a couple of specialists in my particular health conditions, I was opting for a caesarian. The midwife accepted it straight off, the consultant was a tad more hesitant but really there was no issue.
I am opting for another this time around too, and so far haven’t met with any resistance, albeit it’s early on yet.

I had 2 sections, both elective. The first one I had no argument from midwife or obstetrician. I had a very pragmatic midwife who understood my reason (age-I was 40). The maternity hosp was a large tertiary referral centre so used to very complex cases. They were totally understanding and seemed surprised I had expected resistance. Second even easier due to having had one before. I should think following the Ockenden report it will be easier to have one in areas notoriously historically resistant to them.

Some midwives are fantastic. Some are superior arseholes who make pregnant women feel shit by tutting at them for not breastfeeding, and trying to bully them into the birth they prefer because it's far far cheaper

My friend is a midwife who falls into the former category. She respects individual choice. She's incredibly compassionate and supportive. She'd also sack half the people she works with for their judgemental and bullying ways if she was in charge.

Shame really. It's like a lot of them are stuck in the 70s.