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.

You also get the nasty judgey comments on home birth threads (arguably the ‘opposite’ end of the scale) people just don’t like women making their own decisions and taking charge when it comes to pregnancy and childbirth for some reason.

@nomorepolitics I wonder would your opinion change if you knew her reasons?

When I had probelms with MW - in my case around HB and being allowed one despite being low risk- the advice I was given was to write to hopsital management.

So I wonder if a letter to MW manager saying you wish to see a consultant and about third section in accordance with NICE guidlines may be a way forward?

I found like PP that different HCP had differing things to say about options and sometime what they said were filter through own views rather than the acual policy.

Ask to see a consultant. WAY too risky to have a VBAC after 2CSs.

OP, there are some harsh comments here.

My friend had three sections, all at her request and related to mental, not physical, health.

Wishing you all the best.

Here in Ireland you dont get a choice. 2 sections means automatic 3rd section. That's what I had.

Some responses here are absolutely unbelievable.

VBAC even after a single CS brings a (very small) additional increase in risk to the baby. Women are entitled to refuse VBAC and demand a repeat CS if they choose.

And the OP has had TWO CSs, not one!! In most countries, as PP said in the case of Ireland, and also in the country where I live, you actually would not even get the choice to VBAC in this case--you would be told that a cesarean is your only option, because the risk of rupture rises if you have had two CSs beforehand.

Let's face it, though, this is the NHS---they love any excuse to cheap out on pregnant women.

OP, there MUST be a solution here. Fight tooth and nail if you have to.

There are statistically speaking, greater risks involved in a VBAC post two sections. I nursed a surgical patient who had a uterine rupture during an attempted VBAC. With a crash c-section her baby was fine but the amniotic fluid leaked into her abdomen, infected her bowel and she spent two months in hospital recovering. The poor woman was distraught because she couldn’t properly care for her newborn and her other children were separated between relatives. I just don’t understand why you would be expected to attempt a VBAC.

Another person who is really surprised that you are being pushed into a vaginal birth after two c sections. I’m also very surprised you haven’t been automatically referred to see a consultant in view of your obstetric history.

There are risks associated with VBAC: low, but significant, risks. The OP would be well within her rights to make her own judgement as to which set of risks she finds more or less palatable: the risks of a third c section or the risks of a VBAC including rupture.

I would definitely push for an earlier consultant appointment and politely remind them of NICE guidelines (which are just that, guidelines, but you may wish to ask what their clinical justification is for not following them...)

OP I think you should close this thread and try again another time. Lots of outrageous and inaccurate comments here. I’ve just had my third section and didn’t have to push at all. Risk of rupture due to 2 previous sections was reason enough. They didn’t schedule it until 36w though. If you want a section you should have one and feel no shame over that.

I’ve had three sections, first one was EMCS, second elective, given the choice due to previous section, third was also elective, and recommended.
I would assume a section would be least risk after two previous ones?

I didn't think you were allowed to give birth naturally after 2 C/sections. . Let alone be bullied in to it.

i couldn't understand why I was told no HB - in area apparently trying to increase them at the time.

When I spoke to managment - it was apparently a miscommunication and of course I was down for one .

Later communication with MW manager seem to suggest the MW had limited experince of HB ie was against them - if I'd been a few streets over under a different MW we'd have avoided a whole load of stress upset and extremely poor care.

It can really matter who is telling you stuff IME.

@Saddler how is that helpful? Should she just suck up the additional risks because you've decided she should? I imagine she pays tax the same as the rest of us do and is entitled to request a delivery method that suits her and her baby.
Alternatively she could be forced into a VBAC, have a rupture, emergency surgery and a long hospital stay, that however should be funded because she did it the "right way"?

Op definitely push for a consultant appointment if that’s what you want. It sounds like you’ve got a midwife who doesn’t see any other option but VBAC

I saw my consultant at about 26 weeks, he then gave me my c section date at about 34 weeks I think it was.

Definitely write to the hospital midwife team and push this further

My understanding is that previous c sections leave you at risk of rupturing the scar with VBAC and this risk increases with every c section.

You’re well within your rights to go above this midwife and to see a consultant. Given your hospital is pro-VBAC I suggest doing it sooner rather than later in case you come up against a fight and needs to transfer to another consultant/hospital.

Best of luck!

Goodness you are costing the NHS a fortune!

I imagine the OP is costing the NHS a lot less than me. I asked for a elective with my first for trauma reasons. I was declined and to be fair, I didn't push it as hard as I should have. After 75 hours of back labour, 2 hours of pushing and a failed forceps, ds was finally delivered by emcs. He went to NICU and I had a psychotic break linked to the previous trauma. That was almost 5 years ago, I've had 18 months of psychotherapy, 6 months of cbt and am still under a consultant psychiatrist all paid for by the NHS. Ds also has a speech issue caused by muscle weakness/control and they are now questioning whether or not that was caused by what he experienced prior to birth. So we can add the cost of the speech therapy to that as well.

Sometimes an elective first c-section is the cheaper option.

The cost to the NHS if she's forced to attempt to deliver vaginally following two c-sections and something happens to her/her baby will be considerably higher. One of my friends who attempted a vba2c had to sign something to say she understood the risks...

Surely it's safer after previous sections?

@Connie222 fight, fight, fight.

Ignore the absolutely hideous people on this thread or certainly at the beginning.

30 weeks is not too late to speak to the consultant, you just push and are adamant you want a section. Just shut down all avenues they try. They will cave eventually.

God other people are just awful.

www.birthrights.org.uk/

This charity might be able to help you also OP

It might be your preference but you aren't the one with the medical degree. I have a preference for a particular brand of my medication but they won't allow me to have it as it has slightly higher risks compared to the one they will prescribe. Preference should not over rule safety of patients or even NHS cost. Why should the tax payer pay more for your c section for a preference? You chose to get pregnant and were lucky enough to be able to do so (unlike me).

OP I think I've deduced why a vaginal birth isn't an option for you and having a friend with the same situation I can 100% day do not be bullied by any health professional. My friend was left with severe PTSD following being emotionally blackmailed by 'well meaning midwives and consultant' into attempting a vaginal birth.

She lost the first year of her baby's life to crippling mental health issues and will never get that back.

Contact your community safeguarding midwife and request an appointment with them. You do NOT need to disclose your reasons beyond that which you've out laid here - merely have the NICE guidelines for VBACS after 2 sections and stand your ground. If you feel it isn't going anywhere mention PALS and I can almost assure you that will be enough!!

As for all of you that have called OP a drain on services already stretched .. a few points I'm
Sure you'll all cleverly ignore because it doesn't suit your bully-boy ways to admit when you've been a bull in a china shop and made an offensive and horrible mistake.

Spontaneous VBACS after Csections usually come with various complications and inducted labours even more so, emergency surgery, possible hysterectomy and ICU care adds up to 3 or 4 times the cost of a cam, safe, planned Csection.

As does the years, and years of mental health support for a woman forced to endure something that causes horrific PTSD and potentially for the child who hasn't been able to form proper attachment to a mother on the edge of severe mental break down during formative years.

She neither asked for your ill informed, boorishly written opinions or wanted them. She asked for advice and support through what must be a very difficult time.

If all you can manage in the face of another persons struggle is to be unkind, stay quiet. It's not as though there isn't enough awareness being brought to the impacts of mental health and online bullying 🤦🏻‍♀️

I mean this kindly sunshine,cesarean sections are more risky. Do a bit of research

Can't believe the ridiculous comments on here. My baby could of died if I'd tried for a vbac, my scar was so so thin - it looked fine on the outside. I have been told I cannot have a vaginal delivery after 2 sections.

@Ispy123 a VB after 2 CS is more risky than another CS, do your research