to think elective repeat caesarian is a valid choice?

[schmee]

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.

It isn't black or white, my own experience is this though -

I had an elective C Section with my first due to medical reasons. It was very civilized and smooth. The recovery took a while - going up stairs pushing buggy was a problem and then later on i got an infection.

My second was a VBAC - drip induced and so very painful but with a quick recovery. I must admit that i prefered this birth to the c-section though despite the pain. Just wanted to avoid having major surgery again and wasso pleasd with myself.

Third birth was an easy straight forward VBAC birth - just the most amazing delivery. I wish all my births had been like this. Quick-ish, smooth with very bearable pain.

Rinabean
I believe it depends how good the surgeon is but mine was the same as Clytaemnestra's and I have several friends with similar experiences. I was up the same day and walking holding baby, no pain at all and home day early on day three morning. Out and about a day later.
C sections are no longer done by cutting through the stomach muscles it's far less invasive. Obviously even the thought of surgery doesn't work for most people but for me I much preferred the idea of the certainty and was very happy with my experience.

Like breast augmentation, cs should not be available on demand and the hysterical cries "my body, my choice" is not appropriate within NHS framework. Any references to 'risks' are purely academic as 'on the day' each labor is different and each outcome is different. Emergency should be the only way cs is performed with the exception of few defined conditions (placenta previa, preeclampsia, etc.)

To those with limited vocabulary - swearing is not the way to give validity to your argument, "leydeeez".

kitstwins I'm so with you on the use of the word "elective" for situations like yours. I tend to use the word "planned" for my first c-section as I didn't elect to have a breech, 100 centile non-presenting twin or chronic SPD which only allowed me to open my legs something like 12 cm.

But I guess in my case I'm actually allowing myself to be cowed by the crew who for some reason seem to think c-section are morally wrong.

shewasashowgirl, thank you! It's good to know that progress is being made with the techniques, too.

YANBU, I had an emergency c section 5 yrs ago after spending 4 days in labour and was left tramatised and with a poorly traumatised baby as well. I would want to avoid at all costs a repeat experience so would request an elective c.section. Agree that if it was planned the whole experience would not be as horrendous, I would know what to expect etc.

bemybebe - wow I'm glad you weren't my consultant as you presumably wouldn't have allowed my c-section on the basis of a 1 in 50 chance of infant death for my second twin and higher chance of cerebal palsy. Just risks really and I should have taken my chances on the day....

Ladyofthemanor I don't think mine were the "silly comments". I think your 'posh to push' comment falls firmly into that category.

And who are these mythical people who "think they are above normal births"? And who are you to make those judgements? I don't think anyone makes the decision lightly - elective caesareans aren't the reserve of selfish, shallow individuals who can't be bothered to 'grin and bear it', however much you might consider them to be. That is merely you making crass, sweeping statements from the moral high ground you have afforded yourself after your vaginal, pain-free deliveries.

I'm going to step away from this thread now as, at 35 weeks pregnant, my blood pressure is rising...

Bemybebe - just out of interest - do you think I should have no option but to have attempt at VBAC then?

I have never met someone who just 'didn't fancy' giving birth vaginally. I bet you that those celebrities who had sections had "real" reasons that those of you who judge might be ok with. It's none of our bloody business why someone chooses the path they do.

And I am one of those people who had an ElCS for an "approved reason" (placenta previa), so thanks for your pity.

If I had another I'd quite like to go for a VBAC, assuming it's medically ok. But it's my choice and nobody else's business. If you want a CS you should get one as long as the risks and benefits of CS and VB have been explained properly to you.

Haha, "above normal births", I like it.

I'm also above normal teeth-pulling, amputation, appendectomy... because I live in the 21st century in a civilised country (thank god).

Lady, do fuck the fuck off dearie.

I have had two elective sections - both lovely calm experiences, no problems with breastfeeding.

I suppose you would say I "thought I was above a normal birth". My reasons for choosing it were to avoid damage to my pelvic floor and perineum. I'd far rather a cut to my abdomen than a cut to my fanjo, thanks.

And by the way, my NHS consultant was totally fine about my choices, and acknowledged that many female obstetricians choose the same (about a third, according to one survey).

Bemybebe, not limited vocabulary.

Just limited tolerance.

Who said anything about bf? Not me.

I didn't have any pelvic floor damage or any tears.

Thankfully, I also don't have an unpleasant scar across my stomach either.

Another query for Bemybebe - why would caesarian section be automatically allowed for pre-eclampsia? As I recall from my time working in obstetrics for plenty of patients with pre-eclampsia induction, many with successful vaginal deliveries, was the most appropriate option rather than going straight to elective section?

Could it be that the risks and benefits associated with caesarian / vaginal births in different situations are rather complex? And that individuals might wish to weigh them up for themselves with appropriate advice from healthcare professionals?

parakeet
You made me laugh thanks. Yes I spoke to several top female obstetricians and they had all had an elective c section for no 'medical' reason! I'm not saying it's the right thing to do far from it but for some of us it was a good choice.

Good for you Lady.

Probably most people posting here would like to avoid any pelvic floor damage or tears and an unpleasant scar across their stomach.

Certainly my preferred option. Sadly, as you may have gathered, things don't always work out that wahy. That may be why those of us who've had complicated deliveries have a different opinion to you.

I can barely see my scar. Even when I've had a Brazilian.

smileyhappymummy - I do very much sympathize with your story, but I do not think it is appropriate to go into your specific case that I do not know in details. I do think that with the RIGHT mw support and RIGHT birth management majority of births will be a much better outcomes for mum and baby without the need for medical intervention. Psychological trauma is not indication for an ELCS in my view.

smileyhappymummy - Personally I'm holding off ttc until they can teleport the baby out. :)

My scar is invisible, three years after the second op.

smileyhappymummy "No-one on here has mentioned having a section - either second time or first time - "just because". Rinabean did. As did a couple of others.

IMO, Sections for a 'reason' incl prev section and MH issues should be granted, obviously following complete discussion with your care provider. Sections because you don't want to go through labour? Uh uh. No way. And that's not a misogynistic approach. It's a common sense one.

Ladyofthemanor - my scar is NOT unsightly, I am offended that you would think that tbh. It's a very small price to pay for my healthy 3 year old daughter. I hope to god that you never have to lie there in agony whilst wondering if your baby will survive their birth. And then have to bf judged by the likes of you for never ever wanting to suffer that again.

Lady
Just so you know, nowadays you don't end up with a huge scar across your stomach. My scar is a faint red line below my bikini line, no-one can see it even in the skimpiest of bikini's.

It's not 1960 you don't have a huge line of scar tissue any more!!
You really shouldn't be talking about something you know nothing about. I am not trying to tell everyone about natural births because I know nothing about them

"Sections because you don't want to go through labour? Uh uh. No way. And that's not a misogynistic approach. It's a common sense one."

Please explain how that's common sense. Common sense says to me we should use the tools we have at our disposal to eradicate or at least alleviate the suffering ever-present in this cruel world. Of course, to you it may say "nature is a bitch, who cares?", in which case we have a fundamental disagreement underlying our opinions.