Has anyone elected for a Caesarean with no medical need for one?

[Beetawix]

I’m due in the autumn so very early days and only just found out. Researching like crazy. I am a bit cautious given they say September/October are the busiest birth months coupled with the maternity ward ratings not being very good.

It’s my first baby, I’m in my 20s and as far as I know there are no other risks.

Baby might be breech or there might be issues with the placenta which mean I have a section anyway.

But, presuming it’s a smooth straightforward pregnancy, would it be naive to choose a section? I understand the recovery is worse and it can be trickier to breastfeed. My sister has had a section for medical reasons and my friend had an EMCS. I know it’s no walk in the park! It does however offer a bit of predictability- I can prep myself for a night in hospital, I’ll know which date it is. I’d prefer a straightforward vaginal birth but nobody can promise I’ll have that.

After reading the statistics for our local area it seems about half of first time mums end up with intervention anyway, be it instrumental or surgical. I would find that very stressful.

We will either be one and done or possibly we’ll have another in several years. I don’t want loads and loads of babies.

Has anyone had a maternal request section before and what was your honest experience of it? Would you choose the same again? It would be so nice if we could have vision into the future to see how both options would go.

Thanks in advance!

But @feelingstifled your experience with an Emergency C section is going to be worlds apart from a calm and controlled elective.

There is no way you were up and about before your friends who had natural births . No idea what you gain from this lie.

Not every trust will allow you to opt for a C Section without medical need though.

I personally wouldn't have one unless you need one (stop reading horror stories of natural births, it's rare). I've had 2 babies via natural birth and they (and I) were absolutely fine. I'm due my 3rd in May and praying for a natural delivery! As I'll be back on my feet quicker, no major surgery and ill be able to drive again straight away.

I think elective sections are not a good idea. It's a major surgery and even though some have an easy recovery that's not the case with all. I have had bad tearing with all 3 of my other births. If I had another baby I would only POSSIBLY elect a section if I was told my perineal area would tear completely which I believe it would at this point but still I would not want a section. Labor and delivery are more painful no doubt but they are natural. I would just say since this is your first baby consider all options and also plans to have more children since you are still very young. There are other risks for sections to subsequent pregnancies.

Never had a section. But it's your body and your choice.

Having a baby in hospital usually comes with lots of 'must be at this point by this stage' etc so I can see how it could easily become highly medicalised with lots of intervention! Though I know sometimes things go the other way and there's not enough staff and intervention doesn't happen soon enough when it's actually necessary. So I can totally understand why a planned section is preferable.

I had my first (induced but vaginal) in hospital. It was okay and luckily nothing went wrong but the midwife was like 'you can't lie on your side as we can't monitor the baby properly' even though it was more painful for me, so I ended up with an epidural.

When I fell pregnant with my second I opted for a home birth and it was way more relaxed. No pain relief needed and I could birth how I wanted. Also had 2 midwives (this was standard NHS) one for me and one for the baby. I actually enjoyed giving birth.

3rd pregnancy was much the same as the second.

Anyway I came across quite a few people who told me I was putting myself and my baby in danger by having a home birth and thought they should not be allowed! (NB I did come across more that thought it was wonderful.) But what I took away from that is that no one should have the right to tell you how to give birth! So do what you think is right for you. (Obviously take medical advice where necessary.)

Baby's microbiome is different with VB vs CS which may lead to differing health outcomes later in life.

There is no delicate way to put this(!) - I read that once the baby is born you can smear the fluid from your vagina over their nostrils and mouth and this can help kickstart their microbiome. Is this true / a done thing?

Yes I did.

Yip I did! Had two now. Like you my placenta nearly caused me to need one anyway but it moved in the end and I went ahead with the section. They were the two best days of my life 😊 Very textbook, no real pain during it, just a bit of a faff to have the spinal done but it was fine. The only slight downside is I clearly didn’t heal too well internally and they said my uterus was at risk of rupturing. We weren’t planning to have anymore anyway and I knew this was always the biggest risk. I’d have my two births exactly the same again if I could go back

No but 100% would/will

Fuck being bullied into a ‘natural’ birth

Yeah I’ve heard of this being done

ODFOD

Yes & it was amazing, loved it!

If you end up with an uncomplicated pregnancy, I think you should have a vaginal birth. You're young and if no complications during labor and delivery, the recovery will be short and simple. You'll be tender of course and you'll have to wear pads, but you can move about as you need to. Carefully of course.

I say this because I had both my babies vaginally and once I gave birth, it was like immediate relief.

First pregnancy in my early 20's, I was exhausted but the pain pretty much ended as soon as it was over. I don't even remember the placenta coming out because I was so busy holding my baby. I remember being so hungry and ate soon after.

However, I did have a minor vaginal tear and it was on the last and final push. I did push hard. I felt it followed by a burning sensation, similar to a cut from something sharp. I was still numb when they stitched it up and barely felt it. It healed quickly as it wasn't severe. It could have been worse.

Both pregnancies I pushed for less than 10 mins. The second was easier than the first and no tears that time. Came right out and went smoothly. I was 35 at the time. I had gestational diabetes and they wanted to induce me but thank God my water broke before they had a chance.

Labor is painful and honestly I was scared each time before their births thinking of it. I had to brace myself for what was to come but I wouldn't change any of it though. It's definitely an experience and you'll have to be brave. I had my partner holding my hand and comforting me through my contractions. You can do it (if your pregnancy is healthy)

Yes, last June. Due again in August this year and midwife has already put in request for one due to tokophobia. For me it was a really positive experience.

Me! I had a fully elective c/s. Was great very very small cut very low on tummy, quick recovery up and about the next day and home and caring for baby fine on day 3. It’s all so fast too! One minute you’re getting epidural literally 5 mins later here’s your baby!

Did you mean to be quite so patronising?

I had an elective last time due to fear of being induced. I do have a blood clotting condition which is why I was offered one in the first place but they did still push for a vaginal birth.
Because of this condition I was injecting blood thinners daily so there was no guarantee I could have an epidural with a spontaneous labour or an induction, this is what worried me, my pain relief options were limited. I chose the elective but still went into spontaneous labour, I still had the section but it was classed as an emergency, even though it was pretty calm apart from the labouring I had to do first !! It was over pretty fast from what I remember, recovery wasn't too bad really, you have to keep on top of the painkillers before they wear off! I was walking pretty much back to normal about a week later.

I had a vaginal birth with my first, it was hard work and bloody painful, but easy recovery. One small tear, more like a graze. The worst part about the vaginal birth was having a wee for the next 10 days, the sting !!! No-one mentions that to you.

I’m also due my first in late September OP, so very early days too! I’ve been set on an elective c-section for a while. Ignore anyone saying some trusts don’t let you because that’s out of date. They all have to let you now. The rules changed a year or so ago.

For 10 years, I was dismissed by GPs, a pelvic floor physio, 2 gynaecologists and an NHS psycho-sexual counsellor as having vaginismus as I couldn’t have penetrative sex or even use a tampon. The counsellor said I was ‘highly strung’ because the usual dilator treatment didn’t work and neither gynae bothered to even examine me. I finally moved areas and got a new referral and was actually examined and I had an issue with my hymen, which meant I needed surgery and my issues were resolved. I didn’t have vaginismus at all.

But I do now have some lingering pelvic floor issues where I find I am often tense, so I’m really worried about the affect of labour on my pelvic floor. I also don’t want to tear and have long-lasting problems, because I spent 10 years suffering at the hands of an NHS that wasn’t helping me. And pelvic floor physio is humiliating and lonely. I’ve done it before and I don’t want to do it again.

I have developed a distrust for medical staff, and I experience a lot of panic in hospital or medical settings. I don’t think this would make my labour smooth because I’d panic too much. And in turn would be more likely to need intervention and risk the potential birth damage from that.

I write this TMI spiel not really to OP (beyond solidarity on wanting an ELCS) but mainly because someone of the PP have been so rude about why someone would choose to have ELCS when you are otherwise healthy. It’s perfectly valid to feel that labour and a natural birth are not for you. It’s not just a case of being a bit scared, but all will be fine when our partner holds our hands…. It can be a a very deep-rooted fear for some of us that goes way beyond a perfectly normal nervousness.

Everyone is going to tell you it's fine if this is what you want. However morally it is a bit wrong. The cost and resources are much higher and the NHS is already a failing system. Of course I'm one of the annoying ones that had vaginal birth no pain relief or major problems. So i would say this. It is better for you mentally as well. I feel like it prepared me to be a mother and gave me the confidence to say no I didn't take the easy way out and if I did that I can do whatever I want.

Gosh this is foul. I didn’t think people really said things like this. Morally you should sacrifice yourself and your personal choices for the nhs, because the government won’t fund them. Oh good. And Are we requiring the same of men anywhere?

no one finds it annoying that you gave birth and it went well, everyone I know would be happy for you. What is annoying is that you seem to think this makes you morally superior. I’m not sure why one must prove themselves and take a difficult path if there is an easier one available, in any other walk of life we would think this stupid, not morally superior. However I do question why a major abdominal surgery, with little pain relief and a newborn to care for immediately after is considered the easy way out. I’ve not had a c section btw, so I’m not biased in saying that.

Regardless, I’m so sad that your idea of preparing to be a mother is having to be strong and face difficulty and pain and to prove your worth to others and yourself. I hope if your thoughts come from pressure and misogyny around you, that you’re supported better in motherhood now.

Just sharing my thoughts and experience with OP as this is her first pregnancy, same as anyone else here that's contributing with the intent to provide OP reassurance or a different perspective to consider. OP's post resonated with me as I also had similar concerns and questions with my first pregnancy and it's comforting to find support from other women with experience. Why would I want to be patronising?

You don't think telling OP, who is a grown woman that she'll have to 'be brave' might not come across as patronising?

Not to mention the fact that requesting a c-section wouldn't make OP any less brave or strong. Birth isn't easy no matter how it is done.

Stuff like this makes me so angry!! Thanks for sharing, and congrats on the pregnancy

I did.

I had an emergency one the first time around due to the baby…but I also remembered feeling relieved that I had given birth that way.

I just had a feeling if I was to give birth naturally it would not go well for me. Like a profound knowing. So second time around, I asked for an ELC and said it was because of my feeling. Anyway, it got granted.

Fast forward 10 years and I find out I have hip dysplasia and I think a natural birth would have expedited the hip issues I went on to experience (but at least that happened when I had older children and not little babies).

Sounds like the 'easy way out' comment at least got some different experiences of c sections shared with the op! The first ones was making it all sound rather lovely (which is fab for those people and i'm glad they had a good experience) but definitely wasn't the case for my 2 C section friends. (Infection and chronic back pain among other things) so i guess balance is good?
Op, main thing is don't scare yourself! You cant judge your birth experience over whether someone else had a great c section or natural birth!

I wouldn't blame someone for feeling patronised and I would swiftly apologise as it's a misunderstanding.

Mentioning how scary a VB was for me and needing to be brave was my way to describe the reality of it. It's the truth, those are the emotions I felt at the time, how I dealt with it, and when relaying my experience I didn't want to downplay anything for OP for awareness.

Either way is not without its own struggles and I agree that any birth isn't easy. That's what I was trying to highlight with a VB. I can only comment about that.

I'll be honest with you, if I came across as patronising to OP or anyone else reading it, it definitely wasn't intentional at all. I can be more careful how I reply going forward.