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

• 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

I find it more than worrying I think its OBSCENE.

Yes do request one, sounds like it would be perfect for you. Instantly removes so much worry.

Dont take the risk again, be forceful and enjoy your pregnany.

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.

I agree Peachy. I feel like the birth choice rhetoric is skewed in favour of risky VBACs and homebirths (not that I have anything against homebirths under the right circumstances) and quite heavily against elective sections, when of course they should be equal sides of the same coin.

Having chosen an ELCS for myself, I've had a lot of conversations these past few months with women who clearly want a caesarean, but are terrified of even asking because they don't want to battle with HCPs, and are equally worried about what people will think of them. It's so sad.

agree sea.

YANBU. It's no one else's business how you choose to give birth, you don't need the permission and endorsement of anyone other than your HCPs and I very much hope they're supportive.

Agree hugely with Peachy et al.

The NICE guidelines for someone in your position state firstly that the wishes of the woman should be taken into consideration regarding ELCS v VBAC.

Secondly there are legitimate mental health reasons for requesting an ELCS which other people have already stated on this thread.

It is possible, though difficult, to get an ELCS agreed in principle before getting pregnant again, if this would help you with trying to conceive.

With regard to being held down for examinations, in what context was that, because to be honest it doesn't sound right. Did you consent to being examined?

Sea, I've had similar experiences with women who want an ELCS and see threads on MN to that effect regularly. Its sad that people feel so concerned about how HCP will treat them and probably does speak volumes about a lot of people in the profession unfortunately.

Might be worth getting a consultant appt to discuss your options before you TTC.
As the above poster mentioned, it is possible to get an agreement for a csection in principle before getting pregnant.
I had an EMCs with DS1 and was adamant I wanted another if I had another baby. I felt so strongly that I would rather have stuck with one child than have been pushed down the VBAC route.
My GP arranged for me to see a consultant to discuss my choices and I was relieved that they were happy to agree in principle to another section. I'm now 12 wks pg and have my consultant booking appt on Thur so hope they meant it!

I chose to have a section with DD2. Sadly one of the side effects of an elective section they don't tell you about is that the fluid isn't pushed out of babies lungs the same way it would be when you are in labour and therefore my dd2 ended up in scbu with a chest infection within hours after being born with fluid on the lungs.

Make sure that it is the right choice for you, because as well if you do have one and then decide to have more children, you will be actively encouraged to have a third section

Thanks again all. I feel I need to clarify the examinations & being held down. I fully consented to them, I knew it was what had to be done to see how I was progressing but I hated every second & I couldn't bear them. I'd consent again as it's more important that baby is safe but I really, REALLY don't want to. I can't actually imagine they learned anything from them though tbh!

I really appreciate all of the responses. I might go back to GP to discuss but I'm worried about being labelled as weak/too posh to push (!) etc etc!!

I'm worried about being labelled as weak/too posh to push (!) etc etc!!

This is exactly what I was talking about upthread. Bollocks to what anyone thinks, it has nothing to do with them!

It's not that I'm too worried about what people will think, it's what they'll do - i.e. agree to do an elective or not. I'm not bothered about being judged as long as I can get the outcome I need. Does that make sense?!

Course it makes sense

But, honestly, they cannot refuse if you are firm about saying it is what you want. And having a previous CS will really work in your favour.

Wow we've had the same delivery OP
The pushing back up andexaminations are nothing short of torture and I mean that.
No fucking way would I have a baby naturally, ever.
Yadnbu

if you doc dared say that look him/her sqaurly in the eye and say that terminology is dated and dangerous and leave. and see another doc.

I had an ELCS for dc2 after having had an EMCS for dc1, even though there was no 'medical' reason for it (dc1 had been in an awkward position but there was nothing to suggest it would happen again). Went into the meeting with the consultant expecting to have to argue for it but he agreed straight off, no questions asked.

You know what, even if you WERE too posh to push (much as I hate that silly phrase) so fucking what.

If you want to give birth in a bus shelter listening to Neil Diamond, then so what?! Honestly OP it's no one else's business. Go for it.

Yes Isla.

The too posh to push stuff is misogynistic bollocks.

But that aside:

• you have a medical condition; and

• you had a section previously so strongly indicated for one.

This is about the right thing for you. If you felt you wanted a waterbirth in the MLU would you be worrying? I bet you wouldn't. Just because what is right is a section doesn't make it any less valid to request it, and fight if necessary.

If it sets your mind at ease at all I had no quibbling from the hospital. I said I wanted a section, they said fine and we did the consent forms.

I've had one single, solitary negative comment about having an ELCS. It was from my old boss who had form for 'saying it like it is', basically she used the cover of 'saying it like it is' to be a bit a cow. When I went in for a KIT day she asked me in withering tones "why on Earth did you agree to let them cut you open?" then went on about "the old days" and "getting on with it" and "too much choice these days" before finishing with "too posh to push". It was like a game of Dickhead Bingo as she trotted out every cliché imaginable. At the end I said "too posh to push, too stubborn to die in childbirth". And that was the end of it. I also don't work there anymore

You are perfectly within your rights to have a section, medically and mentally this is obviously the best option so I can't see why it would be a problem. I had an emergency section with my first, then really didn't know what to do when it came to my second but when I went to my consultant appt she had the diary open ready to book in the elective. Decided that was the best idea and it was a lovely calm experience, a million miles away from the emcs and recovery much better. Be strong, tell them what you want and why, and don't accept anything different! All the best

but I'm worried about being labelled as weak/too posh to push

Being traumatised by a previous birth experience is a recognised medical issue. NICE recognise that women sometimes do prefer an ELCS as a result and have this explicitly described and reasoned in their guidelines.

This is ALL you need to know.

It is true that you might come across some individuals both from in everyday life and sadly from within the health profession. However you have to view it in the same way a individuals who are unenlightened about depression. How you feel is not something you can just switch off or 'get over'.

How you tackle that, can take a number of forms, but an ELCS is a legitimate and common way to do that.

If you do have the misfortune to come across HCP who are not understanding of this, then get see another as they are not recognising the current advice on the subject.

Yanbu to ask and I think you should be able to have an elective section. I had a crash section with 1st child. Saw consultant (well probably sho) and said I wanted a vbac but feel that if I had requested a section they would have agreed. Ended up with another section due to failure to progress after getting to 8cms. 3rd child I was told I would need a csection and it was so much better than previous 2.
Incidently I also have trouble with smears as getting samples are difficult due to way uterus lies.