Am I really going to have to fight for 3rd c section?

[Connie222]

Just had my booking appointment and was told that my chances of being granted a 3rd section are almost non existent as the hospital and consultants are pro vbac.

Both my previous sections were elective and I had to fight tooth and nail for them (my preference). I just don’t know if I’ve got the fight in me again (different hospital this time in a different area 200 miles away).

The pregnancy had been awful so far and I can’t take the thought of being made to have a birth against my consent, I’m honestly thinking of terminating.

Oh and after 3 vaginal births I too wet myself alot and have leakage from my anus so dont give me that

Well that just backs up my point, doesn't it?!

Oh and I’m used to being spoken to harshly or like I’m a piece of shit do PPs don’t bother me.

In that case I'd ask to speak to another midwife. There's no reason you can't speak to a consultant about your concerns much sooner than that! I first spoke to a consultant at about 16 weeks then several more times before delivery.

The saying to posh to push springs to mind. I don't think c sections should be given willy nilly unless you medically need one. Women have giving birth naturally for years, maybe its time to try it!

Op try not to worry, that is not too late, where I am they're booked around 37 weeks. Print the NICE (?) guidelines and take them to your midwife appointment.

I still wouldn't have had a c section is my point. All these things as I understand it are part and parcel of giving birth.

That might not necessarily be too late. They aren't booked until quite late on here. My friend had an elective and didn't get the final date till about 36/37 weeks! But I think you might have to make a nuisance of yourself a bit.

I had two sections OP. The first one took around 10 minutes to get baby out, the second one took nearly 40 because of the huge amount of scar tissue I had from the 1st one.

I've had horrendous ongoing issues from scar tissue wrapped around my bowels, uterus and ovaries. They don't do repeated sections lightly for this reason.

Op no one is speaking to you like a piece of shit. You asked a question,people are answering you

@eyemask unfortunately at some hospitals a previous c-section doesn’t qualify a woman to be entitled to another. Some of the very pro vaginal birth and VBAC birth ones don’t see it as ‘enough of a reason’. There is that hospital in Oxford that has got a lot of stick because it won’t grant any maternal request sections, if you look at it’s information leaflet on the matter it states that having a previous caesarean is not reason enough alone to be entitled to an elective section. So lots of women under certain trusts have no choice but vbac. However I am surprised if this is the case with OP given she has has TWO previous c-sections, her hospital must be extremely pro vbac in this case..

“Too posh to push” ffs, the vast majority of women who request ‘non-medical’ c-sections have either had a previously traumatic birth or have some degree of sexual abuse trauma in their past.

And even the women who make an informed choice that they are happier with the risks of a c-section on their own body shouldn’t be shamed.

I'm sorry you are having such a difficult pregnancy OP, it's really tough especially with older children.

I have had 2 sections. First was emergency, second was elective. I was basically told it was up to me what I wanted (because of the first section) and when I said I wanted another section they just booked it in. My understanding was that if you have had a previous section there is an automatic option to have a further section due to the risk of the scar splitting under the stress of contractions.

Your midwife does not sound as though she has been particularly helpful. I would contact her and tell her that you feel so anxious you are considering a termination of a wanted baby and request an urgent referral to the perinatal mental health team. Hopefully they can support you further.

Don't give up, I'm sure there will be a way for you to have a section.

OP YANBU. I have had 3 c sections. The first 2 were EMCS and would not have contemplated a VBA2C

In your case I would raise an issue with the Supervisor of Midwives, that should get you more traction. You’re going to have to make a fuss here.

If the doctors are so against it surely this means there are more risks for the mother and child. If there is a genuine reason,fine,but if they said no already im guessing there is no reason for this particular request

@Ispy Yet at other hospitals a previous c-section is enough reason to be granted an ELCS with no questions asked. Hospitals and doctors differ so it’s not always easy to just brush everything off with the consultant knows best.

@Roodledoodlenoodle that's really surprising. I have had two sections and for the second they said I was entitled to another but had to go to a vbac meeting first. They were keen for a vbac but not much resistance when I refused one. There were posters up with flow charts and everything lead to a c section if that's what was requested. Very sad state of affairs that some hospitals are putting women in this position.

The issue is that women have the right to choose what happens with their body, pregnant or not. I had a straightforward pregnancy (at least as far as baby was concerned, I was falling apart). Healthy baby, right way up, full term. I however weighed up the potential risks from either form of delivery and I was happier with the ones around a c-section so I was given one. I had to speak to 2 consultants but my concerns were listened to and I was booked in.

@ipsey123 I mean this kindly but I don't think you know what you're talking about here. RGOG have stated very clearly that there are risks to vaginal births as well as sections and that both sets of risks should be presented to women. They are not and so this myth that a section is less safe than a section persists. The risk factors will vary on an individual basis and there is no "better" choice.

Accepting double incontinence as just "one of those things" is very sad. Do you honestly believe if thousands of men were left doubly incontinent in this way the advice would be just to get on with it?

@Ispy123 there is a reason for a repeat c section - the risk of uterine rupture. When I was opened for the second section they found that if I'd laboured I would have ruptured due to the scar being so thin. It's a real risk and one that no one can predict as from the outside everything looks completely normal.

I guess your only option is to go private.

Bollocks.

OP, ime medical staff - within the same Trust - often give conflicting messages. 2 GPs and 2 midwives told me I probably wouldn't get a section and actively tried to ignore my requests / put me off. The consultant I saw said (verbatim quote) "OK" and "Your body, your choice".

I didn't meet with the consultant at all until 30+ weeks, got a date set at around 35 weeks, had section booked for 39+1, got put back a few days and had it done at 39+4.

When I compare what I went through with the section to what my NCT group sent through with their vaginal deliveries I thank God for having been able to make that choice.

If your hospital does have a clear no-maternal-request policy (in which case they're utter bastards, and I hope some women with MH issues sue them under the DDA), can you change hospital?

I would change hospital or at least team, there has to be one in your area with a policy more aligned to what you want.

Judgey judgey posters in here today. Too posh to push?! Odfo
OP I've had 3 maternal request c sections.
I had to fight for the 1st. Fight for the 2nd as they wanted me to go towards vbac. The 3 rd wasn't even discussed. Straight to section due to risk of uterine rupture along the scar tissue. I have no idea why they would be pushing you towards vbac.
Just fight back and bring up those risks with them.

Here nobody sees a consultant to organise a c section u TIL after 30 weeks. Does not mean they are turned down, just the order they do things in.

I have had one vaginal delivery, once emergency c section and one c section due to the position of the baby, so no choice in that one. So I had no choice. Even when the baby was in this position they did not confirm the c section u TIL much nearer the time.

Ignore the nasty posts.
If a doctor refuses a cs they MUST refer to someone who will.
That includes if a patient wants one for any reason what so ever.
Having two previous sections is a VALID MEDICAL reason for a cs.
Speak to your midwife again. Insist on a consultant appointment asap, if they refuse ask for their reasons in writing and state you will complain. If they still refuse ask to speak to the director of midwives.
Also ring pals they will support you in liaising with the hospital.