To request a c section?

[princessconsuelobananahammock]

Firstly, I'm not even pregnant again yet so this is somewhat premature...but it is bothering me.

I've got 1 child, coming up to 4 now. I've always thought that there was something different about my body. Sex was painful & difficult but did get easier with time, relaxation etc. Struggle with tampons, smear tests are a trauma etc. I have seen a Dr about this in the past & didn't ever really get any answers, but didn't expect any really! I explained all of this to my midwife & said I was pretty sure I wasn't going to be able to give birth. Understandably (as I'm sure many women think this!) she reassured me that it would probably be fine, she was 'kindly dismissive'.

I ended up having an emergency c section. DS was stuck & had to be pushed back up to be taken out. It was fine in the end but obviously pretty traumatic. The worst bit for me were the examinations, they were incredibly painful & felt hugely violating. I had to be pinned down by my DH, it was awful. I still have nightmares about them.

So...ultimately I want a healthy baby obviously but is it possible to request a planned c section 2nd time round? I fully understand the risks of c section versus vaginal birth, it's not about that. All I'd like to know is if it is possible.

Thanks

Of course!

In many areas, you pretty much have a choice if you've had one already.

If you aren't one of those areas, your emotional and physical concerns are very valid and a consultant should listen to the with empathy and understanding.

Sorry for everything you have gone through.

I understand how you feel. I've always felt that my vagina was on the petite and "unstretchy" side, iyswim. I tore very badly when I gave birth and have requested an ELCS second time around.

You can request an ELCS due to previous CS and also for mental health reasons. You know your body too, but expect that to be completely dismissed by HCPs if you mention your concerns.

Yes it is possible. The NICE guidance changed in 2011 so now if you want one, you can have one:

" Maternal request for CS

When a woman requests a CS because she has anxiety about childbirth, offer referral to a healthcare professional with expertise in providing perinatal mental health support to help her address her anxiety in a supportive manner. [new 2011]

For women requesting a CS, if after discussion and offer of support (including perinatal mental health support for women with anxiety about childbirth), a vaginal birth is still not an acceptable option, offer a planned CS. [new 2011]

An obstetrician unwilling to perform a CS should refer the woman to an obstetrician who will carry out the CS."

linky to full guidance.

Of course you can request one and they have to take your request seriously. As you've had a previous section you will be given the choice anyway of whether to try for a vaginally birth (VBAC) or a repeat section, you'll have a consultant appointment to discuss it.

I had an emergency CS and considered a VBAC for my next pregnancy but in the end I had an elective section. An elective section is a million miles away from an emergency section, it's so relaxed and recovery was much easier too. I chose an elective section because I knew a VBAC delivery would be heavily monitored and I'd be "on the clock", so to speak, for making progress. I also knew I'd be taken down for an erlmergency section at the first sniff of delay or distress. I didn't want to give birth with that sort of stress over me. Plus there were the risks which, although small, still had to be considered. The elective section meant I gave birth on my terms, on a date of my choosing, and I was able to fully prepare for it. As it was I'm very glad I did because the surgeon told.me that my scar was beginning to separate and would almost certainly have ruptured if I'd attempted a VBAC

I am exactly the same as you! I didn't lose my virginity until I was 23 as I couldn't relax enough but sex soon became great. But the thought of anything else; fingers, tampons, smears, examinations make me come out in a cold sweat, I think it's vaginismus? I just clamp shut and no amount of relaxing helps. I really didn't think I'd be able to give birth as I'd be closing my legs so tightly and was having palpitations thinking about someone fiddling about with me, possibly using instruments etc.. Luckily I was living abroad and could request a c- section. I would take after-pain that I could deal with on my own over unpredictable labour pain. I also wanted a calm experience for my baby.

So as others have said, you can request one again because you've had previous and also because of your fears. Be strong as midwives (who should understand) can sometimes dismiss your feelings but you will be able to have one.

Yes I think it's reasonable to request in your situation.

I have had pretty much the same issues as you OP. Had my little boy via ELCS 6 mths ago - he was 2 wks overdue, I thought I could handle normal birth because I wouldn't care about examinations in the pain of labour... Having gone through half a tank of gas&air just trying to have a sweep to get things going, I realised there was no way I could do natural birth much less induction with a potential 3 days worth of repeated exams. Fought them for a bit but was granted 'last minute' ELCS. The recovery is much better than EMCS. I wouldn't hesitate to have DC2 via ELCS even though have been OKed for VBAC in the future.

My big and beautiful ds got stuck, luckily with lots of help they got him out ok. The following day the hospital advised they would not encourage another virginal birth.

And yes it's called vaginismus. I have been diagnosed, mentioned to midwife at booking in, also dismissed. When it came to fighting for that ELCS the hospital consultants told me I should have been referred to them straight away at booking in and discussed an ELCS then. Stand your ground - it's your choice.

Not unreasonable at all - do what is right for you

You've already had a c section. So from what I understand you may well be strongly encouraged to have another. I've got friends who had to fight to try a v delivery second time round following section first time . I would just tell them firmly you want a c section as you've already had one.

Thanks very much all. It's such a weird thing, I have no problem with pain usually, I'm really not a total wimp, it was just horrific! It's painful but it's also a strange nauseous/panicky feeling.

You've reassured me that a) it's not just me and b) I will be taken seriously with my concerns.

I think I also need to look into vaginismus. Day to day it's fine, I've known my DH forever & feel comfortable that if it hurts we'll slow down/stop etc so there's very rarely any issues there. My last smear was a disaster 6 attempts but it worked in the end!

By the way I had emergency c section and totally get where you're coming from. Could never imagine myself giving birth naturally and lo and behold didn't manage to. Was so so grateful to modern medicine they could get dd out through the sunroof anyway.

My big and beautiful ds got stuck, luckily with lots of help they got him out ok. The following day the hospital advised they would not encourage another virginal birth

Oh joyful typo!

YANBU op, do request an Elective C section and be firm about it. I find it very worrying that in 2015 women seem to feel they need 'permission' from HCPs or their peers to give birth as they themselves see fit. Even if you weren't worried or had any previous birthing issues, you should be able to ask for a C section. I really believe that. your body, your birth, be firm and make sure you're heard.

YANBU

For several reasons, but mostly because of a horrific HSG experience, I had an elective c section for maternal health reasons.

It was wonderful. Calm peaceful relaxed.

Yes recovery difficult but manageable.

Should we ever have another DC I will have another c-section,.

I have given birth 3 times vaginally. Not once did I ever consider a section. But after my last birth that left me needing over 100 stitches because my 11lber got stuck and we both nearly died and six years later my fanny is still sore and itchy where I was cut... Well I think it would only be right that I'm given at least a fair hearing (when I request the highly unlikely to ever happen caesarean)

Has anyone seen the other half of my post?

I have vulval problems - vaginismis, vulvodynia and previous surgeries - and have been told I'd have a v slim chance of being able to give birth vaginally if ever I was pregnant, wpuld be offered a c section, so ywnbu to ask.

I found my planned section to be a very positive experience. I got some say over the date (had it a few days after my due date rather than a week before), I got some say over the time (first on the list, barring any energencies), I had music playing, DH was with me. DH even got to cut the cord still. The surgeon cut it but left a big length on, the MW got DH to trim it as him cutting the cord. I had skin to skin while they stitched me up, BF'd, and kept DS tucked inside my gown for the trip from recovery to the postnatal ward. They helped me get up next morning and that was it, shuffling around from then on and each week better than the week before.

I had two lovely ELCSs, you should definitely ask for one.

I also have vaginismus which seems to be related to low oestrogen while I breastfeed. Sex feels impossible, the entrance to my vagina feels like a ring of fire. In my case the worst of it goes away as the baby bfs less and less, but I do find that overall I prefer really small tampons. Speculum also come in different sizes so it's always worth asking for a small one.

I'm sorry that you had such a traumatic birth first time around. YANBU at all, it's a bugbear of mine that sometimes those who shout the loudest about a woman's right to choice around birth become very negative and dismissive if that choice is to have a section. Whilst it is major surgery and not something to be chosen lightly if a woman has all the relevant information and makes an informed choice then I really think that's up to her.

Defo NBU!!!

My other half had her 1st DC through emergency section and she developed a high 41 degree fever during the procedure, she said it was a nightmare. Our DD was born through an elective section as that's what she wanted, she was hugely anxious about the thought of a normal birth and we didn't have much opposition to it, you'll always get one HCP that advocates natural birth but be adamant and it'll happen - it's your choice after all.

Good luck OP!