To ask why having an elective C-Section is so frowned upon?

[Rosesandbutterflys]

I am (hopefully) having an elective C-Section soon. First baby, don't want anymore children after.

I've always had a fear of child birth, which over the past 5 years has been compounded by a lot of people around me having children and the vast majority of these (though I appreciate I'm probably unlucky here) have been pretty traumatic births that have ended in severe tears, forceps and a lot of the time, an emergency section anyway. Granted their experiences have mostly been better on their second birth/ child.

Nothing and I truly mean nothing about natural childbirth/ labour appeals to me. Not the hours of pain, pushing, potential rips/ tears, forcep intervention, epidural (yes I appreciate I'd have one of these for a section), damage of my pelvic floor and the panic and stress of potentially having to be rushed to theatre because it just wasn't going to happen naturally and the baby is in distress or whatever.

Now don't get me wrong, nothing about a c-section appeals to me either, it's absolutely no walk in the park and I'm dreading it, but it has to come out some way and I am a person that likes to plan things and to somewhat be in control/ aware of the plan. I have also had abdominal surgery before (though not as severe as a C-section) and I know recovery is likely to be painful and slower than if I were to have a natural birth. But for me, this is the preferred/ lesser of the 2 evils option.

I have also spent hours pouring over research as to the benefits of a vaginal birth over a c-section and last night came across a NICE/ NHS study/ research that found that actually, for a planned/ elective c-section, the risk to the mother of a c-section compared to a vaginal birth is pretty much the same. It states that the risk of the baby ending up in NICU with a C-section is 13.9% compared to a vaginal birth which is 6.3%, so double the risk, BUT it says the research does not take into account the fact that most c-sections undertaken are for medical reasons and therefore the likelihood of the baby needing NICU attention after it's born is increased anyway.

It then went on to say that the risks of an unplanned, emergency C-Section are a lot higher than a natural birth/ elective/ planned C-Section. So I guess if each woman was guaranteed to have a straightforward, natural birth, then great, but a lot of women do end up needing an emergency c-section so, technically they are more at risk than someone who has chosen an elective.

This now seems like I am bashing natural delivery and I'm not at all I totally admire and respect women that chose that route, I only wish I were that brave.

However, the responses I have had from people my whole pregnancy when I have admitted I am opting for an elective C-section have been ridiculous. Not one person has responded positively, all I've had is 'Oh, really? Are you sure??' and 'Oh, why on earth would you elect to have that?' etc etc. Or just a stony faced, tight smile and 'oh right' making it clear they disapprove but not actually coming out and saying it.

I got told last night that the reason I'm getting these reactions is because a C-section is 'taking the easy way out '😕

If that's the case, why on earth wouldn't you? Why is it that it seems the prerequisite to being a good mother is seemingly having to martyr yourself all the time?

So many of my friends that have had children and also the women in my NCT class who are preparing for their births have all expressed dismay/ distress at having to have any pain relief, they all want it to be as natural as possible and I know my friends that haven't had 'textbook' births still harbour 'guilt' and sadness to this day. Why? If you need gas and air or an epidural, so what? What exactly am I missing? If they ended/end up with forceps or an emergency section, it's not their fault, it's just one of those things. Surely modern medicine has provided these things to make childbirth safer?

Anyway, gone off on a tangent now but if you disapprove of someone having an elective c-section, could you tell me why?

• It’s (significantly) more expensive (anaesthetic time, obstetric time, drugs, longer recovery as an inpatient).
• It’s major surgery (few surgeries these days are as invasive) and comes with the risk of infection and all the risks of any major healthcare intervention (the risks are comparably greater to a vaginal birth)
• Recovery is comparably long and tricky (driving, bending, picking up etc)

That said, given your anxiety around childbirth, it’s a perfect valid (and safe) way to deliver your baby. Work with your MW / obstetrician - perhaps write down as you have here why this is the option you wish to take. Your birth preferences (you can never truly ‘plan’) are your business. Please stop sharing them - everyone has an opinion when a baby is in the mix.

I think doing it because its easier without it being medically recommended for you is fine but remember it costs the taxpayer money.

It's a bit like how I'd like to lose a stone in weight. I'm not obese but I'd look better thinner. I don't expect the NHS to give me free liposuction to achieve that, when I could opt for the 6 month long grind of a diet and achieve the same.

I’ve had two sections and they were both great. Recovery time was minimal. Mine were both ‘elective’ but I was advised to have them. People did say stuff about it which was a bit insensitive but no one was out right judgmental.

@BogRollBOGOF
There is a huge amount of martyrdom in the world of mothering

Yes!

Your post has made me wonder about an etymological connection between the words Martyr, Mother, and Mater. (Mater is the name of a nearby maternity hospital).

Some women do seem to think that natural birth is the ‘better’ way to do it, the better experience, and is the preferable way for everyone.

I was induced and had an EMCS and would go straight to elective next time.

I know someone who went more than 2 weeks overdue and while they were walking about town while waiting for a bed to open on the labour ward and so personally I would take an induction every time than allow the pregnancy to go that far over.

Anyone who concerns themselves so much with another’s birth choice is projecting some sort of insecurity imo.

I think no-one really challenged my choice about having a c/s because I was nearly 46 (first baby) and maybe people assumed there were medical reasons (there weren't). But it seems younger women come in for more pressure, subtle or otherwise. This is just not right.

People shouldn't be putting others down for very personal, medical choices either way round.

Unless you're in the tiny, tiny minority who's free-birthing, how a baby exits the mother's body is pretty much always agreed with medical professionals anyway and managed by them.

I did the first half of labour ‘naturally’ and then had a C sec… the first half was hell & the c sec was a dream in comparison! Have one if you want one absolutely xox

My C section was called “elective” as it wasn’t an emergency one, but I had no choice in it as my baby was breech and I was told I was having it on a planned date. Given the choice I might have chosen a C section above a natural birth, but having had one now and taking 6 weeks to recover fully, not to mention a couple of days in hospital of severe pain when the epidural wore off and very little pain killer provided, I don’t think I would have chosen it a second time.

I completely agree with you OP.
I'd much rather deal with the known outcomes and risk of surgery than the massive unknown that is vaginal birth.

But I am also unlucky in that all of my friend's' stories are similar to your friends'...a good few emergency C-sections, lots of stress and tears plus difficult recoveries. The only decent story is the two planned C-section - one due to placenta position and the other due to requesting a section after a traumatic birth for #1.

I had an elective caesarean. Got a few negative comments but my body, my choice. I’m just amazed at why other women even care. Whatever your choice , it’s is basically your own business.

This is a ludicrous set of reasons, however.

Because why choose medical intervention when your body literally is made for having babies.

I think peoples first reaction is that it's a bit of a wussy thing to do, which is wrong of course. I tried to get a c section for the same reasons but they weren't convinced I was scared enough

I think VB is harder during the actual birth, CS is harder after the birth (recovery)

See this is dangerous nonsense. If you could take a minute not to parrot twaddle the facts are as follows @Marvellousmadness

If we look at long-term trends in maternal mortality – the likelihood a woman will die from pregnancy-related causes – we see that every 100th to 200th birth led to the mother’s death.

Improvements in healthcare, nutrition, and hygienemean maternal deaths are much rarer today. But women are still dying from pregnancy-related causes that are preventable.

The World Health Organization estimates that almost 300,000 women died from pregnancy-related causes in 2017. That’s 808 women every day

It's not the easy way out. It's major surgery for something that could be avoided at less risk to baby and altogether better recovery for mum.

You do you and don't tell people your birth plan. Literally no one asks if you're planning a natural birth or if they do they're odd. The probably mean are you planning on drugs or no drugs not are you planning and going straight to section without labour.

You're probably worrying more than you need to what people think. Don't. Birth is just the first of many choices you get to make as a parent. Own your decisions.

If you told me your birth plan I'd think you were very neurotic. Vaginal birth is not the horror show you think. You seem to have your head screwed on about what an ELCS involves. If your doctors are letting you have one they know best and you don't need anyone else second guessing you or sneering. I hope it goes well.

Yes it was - but actually, it’s quite badly made for it, if you look at mortality rates pre modem healthcare.

Some very frightening statistics from the middle ages for childbirth for the mother and baby in this country, just a small example.

I have considered this for a while and I'm on a similar page to you OP. People can do as they please but personally I'd like an ELCS. I have GAD which leans really strongly towards an intolerance to uncertainty. Labour scares me.

I also struggle with a very low pain threshold, hypermobility and fatigue. I really don't know how I'd cope with late pregnancy and labour either mentally or physically- for me, these risks are worse and much larger than the medical risk of ELCS. The whole thing puts me off getting pregnant tbh.

how a baby exits the mother's body is pretty much always agreed with medical professionals anyway and managed by them.

Medical professionals will offer information and their advice. Consent rests with the patient.

What complete and utter bollocks! Was I designed to put up with the traumatic birth injuries I sustained during "natural" childbirth? The severe tearing and the lifelong pelvic floor damage? There was much more too.

In large parts of the world women still die in fairly significant numbers having babies. Many could be saved if caesareans were a realistic option and more readily available I should think.

But no, you say their bodies are made for it. Dangerous bullshit. There are many flaws in our design and some can prove catastrophic.

I had a vaginal birth and having watched my sister recover from 2 C sections I will take my 2nd degree tear all day every day.
Anyone who thinks it's the easy option is wrong.

Exactly. I think the maternal mortality rate for those times is around 1 in 8

that pretty much proves they were clearly not ‘literally designed’ for having babies, unless you don’t understand the meaning of “literal” or “designed”

Vaginal birth is not the horror show you think
It certainly can be. That's why birth trauma is a real thing.

There has been some bollocks on this thread but this has to take the biscuit 🍪

Because the human body is also ‘made’ to be pretty shite at it.

Lots of things are natural, from using leaves instead of toilet paper, to dying in childbirth. Luckily we live in a modern world that affords us more choices.

As far as what’s better for the baby, the baby is being born at term either way (all things going well). The woman is the one that’s gone through pregnancy and is the one that has to go through birth. If she decides to make a choice prioritising her own needs over working exactly to the baby’s timetable, she should absolutely go the fuck ahead. Women matter too.