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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be upset that I've gone into labour a week before my planned c section, and the hospital are telling me not to come in?

341 replies

Elmo311 · 02/04/2019 07:35

Just that really!
Having contractions since yesterday morning. Early stage labour still, but they are getting more painful each time.
I called L&D, explained my situation and why I'm having a c section this time (3 day labour with my son, failure to progress past 3cm, and 11months age difference between them both)
BUT they still told me to wait?! She said i don't sound in enough pain to come in?!
Thats 1) because I'm calling inbetween contractions and 2) probably because I'm not that far along yet.

I just do not understand why i have to go through this pain when a c section has been agreed?
Sorry i know I'm ranting a bit but i just don't understand their thinking and no matter what way i worded the question i still go told to wait :(

Any advice? AIBU to be frustrated?!

Thanks for reading

OP posts:
MidsomerBurgers · 02/04/2019 12:01

@HattieRabbit

I'm sure your DH much prefers nice, calm, controlled sections than a crash section for an abruption.

OP, if they think you need your section they will do you as a grade 2 or 3 today. Don't eat until you've spoken to a consultant.

Doccc · 02/04/2019 12:04

Obstetric anaesthetist here

I’ve done many sections for women who were booked electives that came in labouring ahead of their date (often the night before!)

I believe that some women, depending on their circumstances, are offered to try for a vbac (sounds odd but some people list this as a preference in their birth plans because they don’t want an induction. Obviously this should be a non coercive offer..) but in general we take the vast majority to theatre - at all hours, it’s an emergency section after all - as per the antenatal plan. Obviously you’d have to wait if there was a life threatening emergency taking place but you should get your section if you’re in labour and that’s what you want/agreed.

Ps I would stay fasting til you’ve seen your obstetrician!

Her0utdoors · 02/04/2019 12:07

Well done for going in OP, more power to your elbow. Best wishes Flowers

Lndnmummy · 02/04/2019 12:13

This happens to me OP, I went into labour the day before my section. I went straight to labour ward and they were debating for a short while about what to do then an hour later I was in theatre. Don’t eat or drink anything and good luck!!

OrigamiZoo · 02/04/2019 12:17

Whoever gave you the advice won't have read YOUR notes - go in.

blackteaplease · 02/04/2019 12:18

Agree with other pp. I've had 1 emcs and 2 elcs. For both of the electives I was told to come in if labour started for an emergency section.

Lndnmummy · 02/04/2019 12:18

Oh jeeez, the hospital WILL prioritise it’s not up to the op to do so ffs! I went into labour a day before my scheduled section. I was monitored, then put on a list in order of priority. This was at one of the busiest university hospitals in London. I was told that I was looking at late afternoon early evening but that this could change. My baby was delivered by lunchtime. No drama

LucyAutumn · 02/04/2019 12:22

Good luck OPFlowers

AlexaAmbidextra · 02/04/2019 12:28

I just love these doctor’s wives/partners who think they are doctors by proxy. 🙄

BlackCatSleeping · 02/04/2019 12:31

Good luck!! You were totally right to go in given your medical history x

Original poster
Elmo311 · 02/04/2019 12:31

Hi again,

The consultant came to speak to me. She said compared to last time I've done very well. She said they have other ops to do etc she's trying to convince me to go for a VBAC. When i say i would like a c section she says "ok take some time to think about it but it is your decision"
She will come back and speak to me later.
They've taken bloods and put me on a drip. The midwife told me they aren't that busy today and it's a 70-80%chance i could have the c section today....
I know they have to offer VBAC, and i understand the reasons why. But i also do not want it to end up being an emergency c section!
Anyway, when she comes to speak to me later i will say c section.
Been moved to the ward now.
Will try and nap!

OP posts:
outpinked · 02/04/2019 12:31

I was told if I had any signs I was going into labour before the CS to call them and they would try to get me booked in ASAP.

I don’t think midwives are against CS’s stinkytoe, I was sent away with my first baby when I was 3cm despite the fact I was having regular contractions and in a lot of pain. They just don’t want you hogging a bed a lot of the time and dress it up as ‘oooh you’ll be a lot more comfortable at home’ Hmm. The NHS is great but flawed and understaffed.

Hope all goes well OP. Glad to hear your pregnancy has gone fine, I was told if I got pregnant soon after my CS my uterus would rupture Confused.

IncrediblySadToo · 02/04/2019 12:33

OrigamiZoo

It’s ok, don’t trouble yourself to read the very short thread.

IncrediblySadToo · 02/04/2019 12:36

Oooh very exciting 🌷

Try to nap & let us know how you’re getting on later.

Sitdownstandup · 02/04/2019 12:39

If labour has started it's an emergency section, but there are degrees of emergency. Obviously you would want to avoid Cat 1 if at all possible (I've had one!)

As you have made your decision now, there's no need for thinking time, so I'd be finding someone and making it clear that you want the section as soon as it can be done. You have ruled out VBAC.

QueenKubauOfKish · 02/04/2019 12:42

Sounds doable so far OP. Just keep calmly stating you want CS (if you do obv) and also tell them about your fears and worries - letting them know you if are scared is not a bad thing IME.

Of course if you popped out a baby vaginally with little bother at this point it would be easier for them and you, so they may want to give that a chance but that doesn't mean you have to feel pressured into trying.

CaMePlaitPas · 02/04/2019 12:46

Good luck with the birth OP! As a Mum of two (11 months apart) it's one hell of a ride! Enjoy your nap!

M3lon · 02/04/2019 12:47

Good luck OP. I'd certainly be going for the C-section too!

mummyhaschangedhername · 02/04/2019 12:58

Glad your in and being monitored. Fingers crossed all goes smoothly and you have your baby soon. Good luck OP.

Dryfebruarydidnthappen123 · 02/04/2019 13:00

"They just don’t want you hogging a bed a lot of the time and dress it up as ‘oooh you’ll be a lot more comfortable at home’"

That was honestly what drove me nuts in the last stages of my pregnancy. My midwife gave me sod-all advice on preparing for labour at my last few appointments, save to repeat like a mantra "don't turn up at the hospital too early. You MUST labour at home as long as you possibly can" . If she'd said "look, we're understaffed and under-resourced and there's no space" , I wouldn't have minded, but it all had to be dressed up as being for my own benefit. Lots of cutesiness about "if a cavewoman was in labour and a woolly mammoth walked past her cave, her labour would stop. The stress of being in a hospital setting is like having a woolly mammoth walk by your cave". I'm a single mum who lives some way away from the hospital, and I had severe pre-natal anxiety focused around the fear of accidentally having an unassisted delivery because I couldn't make it there on time, or that I'd lose my baby to shoulder dystocia, as my mother did 30 years earlier. The midwife eventually acknowledged that, in my case, yes, I'd be much less stressed in a hospital setting. But then she went straight back to "you must stay at home until the last possible moment" and more woolly mammoths.

Original poster
Elmo311 · 02/04/2019 13:11

It is all very confusing here!
I've been told I'm having a c section and it could be at 2pm!
I'm in my gown with my stockings on :)
Had to tell my OH to get here asap!

I have a feeling it won't be in an hour but I'm so excited to meet my little girl!

Will post pics.

Thanks so much to everyone for all these comments, and keeping me company all morning! I will keep updating, but if you don't hear anything from me after 2pm you know why :)

OP posts:
Cheby · 02/04/2019 13:13

What’s the drip for OP? Fluids?

When the consultant comes back, just say categorically you are not changing your mind, your birth plan was agreed and signed off and you have no intention of changing now.

Ironymaiden · 02/04/2019 13:13

Best of luck. Will be thinking of you x

Cheby · 02/04/2019 13:14

Oh cross posts. Fab news OP, good luck! 😀

BlackCatSleeping · 02/04/2019 13:15

How exciting! I hope it all goes smoothly.