Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 ··· 13 14 15 ··· 20 21

Original poster

to think elective repeat caesarian is a valid choice?

522 replies

schmee · 01/03/2011 17:58

I'm currently pregnant with DC3 and would like to have a repeat c-section. I had a planned c-section last time as had twins, one of whom was breach. I haven't seen the consultant yet, so I don't know if I'll be allowed one on the NHS but I hope so.

I remember last time round people saying "oooh I don't blame you if you're having twins" when I said I was booked into for a section. I really don't understand what "blame" has to do with it, particularly as the decision was made to safeguard the health of my twins. This time round if I say my preference is for a repeat c-section the response is even worse, with people from frenemies to strangers feeling able to question my choice and try to get me to reconsider. WHY?

I wondered if people here think repeat c-section is a valid choice. And whether anyone's mind about planned sections had been changed by watching One Born last night which showed what a calm and baby-focussed scenario a scheduled section can be.

OP posts:

Alimat1 · 01/03/2011 22:33

then its a risk I would not want to take

increased risk of scar rupture.

not a choice i would make.

The physios come round postnatally to discuss exercises and general day to day living - well they do on Mars where i live anyway

iknowyouarebutwhatami · 01/03/2011 22:34

Alimat - you should know as well - no WAY on earth could I have performed an emergency stop for a couple of weeks after my forceps delivery. There was absolutely nothing to stop me legally driving home from the hospital the morning after delivery with my newborn in the back though!

iknowyouarebutwhatami · 01/03/2011 22:35

Thankfully Alimat, I couldn't give a shit about the choices you choose to make

Chynah · 01/03/2011 22:35

Surely any risk is the same for a passenger in a car doing an emergency stop? Do you tell peopl to avoid that too?

FluffyMuff · 01/03/2011 22:36

Oh and can I apologise for the shitloads of money that I have cost everyone with my extensive use of the nhs - fertility treatment, a molar pregnancy, chemotherapy, surgery after 3rd degree tear, a c- section and a baby in scbu!

[erm] absolutely nobody on this thread has inferred that anybody using the NHS for necessary treatment should apologise.

As you referred back to my post, can I just highlight - the fact that is that you did have a medical need (from what I can remember from your post - lots gone on after that I've read).

No high horse needed.

(oh and if we're playing top-NHS-spending-trumps,I have had major brain surgery, should I apologise for that? Can anybody better that - lets have a list!!!)

thornykate · 01/03/2011 22:37

I haven't read anyone suggesting that csec should be denied for people with medical including psychological need but that is very different to just wanting a c section as an everyday alternative.
Medicine has all sorts of alternatives but the nhs is there for what people need.
If the health service gave treatments on non clinical need basis where would it end?

FluffyMuff · 01/03/2011 22:37

blah - typos, it's late!

Alimat1 · 01/03/2011 22:38

but after a forceps you dont have a uterus to rupture stitches with

and passengers dont press the brake do they??

try doing one in the car - you use your abdominal muscles to press the brake quickly
Passengers dont.

pleasant people on here mind

Ballarat · 01/03/2011 22:40

I think the woman's choice is important and shouldn't be devalued especially if this is a second or subsequent birth. However, I do think first-time mums who want to opt for an elective should talk their reasons through with someone who is not judgemental. Lots of women are terrified especially these days when they can google until it makes them throw up!

For me, getting up, having a bath and going home 4hours after they were born definitely made VB the right choice for me. And Ds was 3days old when I started driving again which was great as we lived in the sticks.

I also wondered how, if I had needed a CS with my second, I would have coped with an 18mth old and a newborn on my own with no family and a DH who works away a lot. Then, with my 3rd, I had a toddler and a preschooler at home. I don't know how I would have coped. How do people cope with that if they have no family and a workaholic, often absent husband?

So, for me a CS would have been a very stressful and scary experience. Though I can well imagine suffering a difficult VB first time would terrify a woman too.

Chynah · 01/03/2011 22:41

I would have thought a seatbelt digging in feels the same whatever seat you're sitting in? I wouldn't use my abs I would use my legs (maybe that's where you're getting confused :) )

Seriously though it really wasn't a problem and I was driving 8 days after my last one.

Tiredmumno1 · 01/03/2011 22:41

What do we pay national insurance for? If we cant use it then?

DrMcDreamy · 01/03/2011 22:44

You pay national insurance to ensure that when you need it you can access healthcare. As opposed to when you just fancy it.

Tiredmumno1 · 01/03/2011 22:47

Haha yeah right dr 'when we feel like it'

Its a bloody difficult decision to make, however i wouldnt relish the thought of giving birth bum down

Alimat1 · 01/03/2011 22:48

nothing to do whatsoever about the seatbelt digging in.

Try it in the car - a proper emergency stop.

suppose its your uterus - but if it ruptured,or gave you long term pain after a crash, your car insurance would not pay out if you were driving after 8 days

arsebiskits · 01/03/2011 22:48

widowwadman you have some interesting ideas. None more so than the existence of "increased risk of rupture due to postnatal infection." This is a new one to me.

Chynah · 01/03/2011 22:49

Bu my car insurance would because they were well aware that I'd had a csection and were happy for me to be driving.

FluffyMuff · 01/03/2011 22:50

Re the car insurance - it is true that you can't drive for up to 6 weeks after surgery (that's any surgery).

You have to check with your insurance company to get the details. With a C-Section, which is considered major abdominal surgery, it is 6 weeks. If you have a crash during this time and make a claim, you are uninsured.

I was tearing my hair out by week 2 but resisted....no idea how people cope when they have other children to ferry about and no support network.

Alimat1 · 01/03/2011 22:50

...until you had to claim i suspect

FluffyMuff · 01/03/2011 22:50

xpost with Chynah - this proves that you have to check with the insurer, not assume. Some do and some don't.

Chynah · 01/03/2011 22:51

Fluffy - I got it in writing from my insurance company that they had no suchpolicy and were happy for me to drive (both times). DHs (different) insurance company were also happy. So was my GP & midwife.

Clytaemnestra · 01/03/2011 22:52

FluffMuff - I spent a year in hospital between the ages of 2 and 3 (four operations and lots of traction). I then went on to break my left leg twice and my right leg once (not fortunately at the same time) and then my brother nearly cut of my thumb in a sliding door necessitating lots of stitches. As an adult I've had a planned CS and one total hip replacement, and am on the waiting list to get the other one done.

I must be at least top three for being a one woman drain on the NHS. And I'm only 31, I'm sure I can manage to rack up a few more surgeries before I'm done! :)

And insurance companies don't give a monkeys about driving after surgery in my opinion, I phoned them the week after my hip replacement to ask about when I would be clear to drive, they said "ermmm does your doctor say you're alright? Then you're fine." They don't have rules in place based on particular operations.

riksti · 01/03/2011 22:53

Didn't someone mention earlier that they had a written confirmation from their insurance that they are insured even if 6 weeks haven't passed?

FWIW, my insurer said that as soon as my MW cleared me for driving I would be OK to drive. They stated they had no restrictions on women driving after CS, provided they were declared able by a medical professional. So it depends on your insurer rather than being a fixed rule.

TattyDevine · 01/03/2011 22:54

My insurance company said I could drive when my doctor said I could. He said I could after a week. I drove, and was insured. I have it written down in black and white.

I've had 2 sections now and 2 different insurance companies and have never been "grounded" for 6 weeks.

riksti · 01/03/2011 22:54

Sorry, cross-posting with everyone else :)

FluffyMuff · 01/03/2011 22:54

Insurance companies have very different ways of getting out of claims policies. What they say and then what they do in the event of a claim are very different. I have insider information, please (to people in general) check and get it in writing to cover yourself.

Right, do I need an NHS-Drain spreadsheet. I can see this getting competitive

Flip

1 2 ··· 13 14 15 ··· 20 21

Swipe left for the next trending thread