Just looking for some opinions/experiences!
I'm due my first baby soon and am thinking about asking for a maternal request section. Ironically I originally wanted a home birth, but at my last appointment they said it would be against medical advice because of my weight (BMI was 30 at booking...I would have lost weight prior to becoming pregnant had this been planned). Also, I have had reduced movements and growth scans as he has been a bit up and down centile wise - all fine now, on the large side...(I do not have gestational diabetes though).
My reasons for thinking of a section are:
- I really don't want an instrumental/assisted delivery and my chances of one as a first time mum is 1 in 3 according to the RCOG.
- I've been told I'm higher risk of a larger baby and shoulder dystocia - although I have had differing views on this from professionals.
- Partner and his siblings were large babies needing assisted deliveries that were traumatic.
- My mum had babies with large heads and ended up with a prolapse.
- We don't plan on anymore children, so some of the section risks I terms of subsequent pregnancies don't necessarily apply.
I'm not anxious about labour per se, it's the after effects. It seems that women are just expected to deal with incontinence as standard, and the more severe birth injuries which seem to be fairly common but not talked about. On balance I feel I would rather recover from a planned section than end up with a traumatic vaginal delivery or end up with an emergency section anyway.
I know it could go smoothly - but it seems statistically there is a reasonable chance it won't. I also feel bad as I know how much more a section costs the NHS.
Any thoughts or experiences much appreciated!