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?

Damage to your pelvic floor is mostly from carrying your kid on your woomb all the time.

Whoever says it's easy to have a section....is wrong. But it's better for your vagina to have a c section for sure haha.

Do what you want
Its your body. You dont have to defend your choices. Some women make everything a competition.
But you need to do what you need to do. That's all

I suppose (IMO) you’re choosing to have a, potentially, totally unnecessary major surgery. Not being critical but I can’t imagine why anyone would do that purely out of choice. But it’s up to you I suppose.

I had an elective c-section. It was recommended to me by the consultants due to various risks and complications. It was still elective though.

I don't "disapprove" in the sense of thinking women who have a c-section are taking the easy way out. I slightly disapprove as it is much more expensive for the NHS, while at the same time a vaginal birth is easier and safer for most women. Of course, there are circumstances where a c-section is the best choice for the mother and child, but in most cases it is not.

I had a c-section with my first child due to her being in the breech position. I did a lot of reasoning which indicated this was safer for her, though not for me. I had a vaginal birth with my second which was vastly more enjoyable, especially the recovery, even though he was induced and I only had gas and air. I wouldn't recommend a c-section to anyone unless there was very good reason.

<sigh>

at least read the zombie thread before posting your weird made up information, and you would have seen the several references to the longer studies comparing the costs to the NHS of c-section VS vaginal births, which show they are net neutral once you factor in the costs of having to repair all the birth injuries from tears, prolapses and instrumental deliveries

Because "elective" = choice and people think you've chosen the easy way out ie. Your nether regions aren't potentially ruined for life by having a natural birth.
I was recommended a caesarean if I was daft enough to have another.
I think it all stems from the celebrity "too posh to push" mentality.

I think we can let the NHS decide what is most cost effective for them. As, patients when presented with a choice we take the best one for us in the particular circumstances. So there really is no need to 'disapprove' which really does no one any good. No good for the people whose actions you 'disapprove' of or yourself as it is simply wasted energy. The c-section has already happened.

Sorry, that your recovery from the c-section wasn't the best which might be worth baring in mind for people but there are also other factors that women will be weighing up too when considering this option. I don't think they need added pressure from society at large. It is essentially their personal medical choice as presented to them.

I was in similar circumstances terrified of childbirth after a very traumatic miscarriage. I wanted a c section and was refused. Looking back I had a fairly easy induction and am very glad I didn't have the post surgery issues of major surgery with a newborn. The reason I think people are worried about elective surgery is that people see it as an easier option when its massive surgery and has the usual risks and complications.

Because its an unnecessary surgery that costs the NHS a hell of a lot and is not often required for medical reasons.

Nordic countries have low c section rates AND good perinatal outcomes, which begs the question of what they are doing that everyone else isnt.

Elective does NOT a mean “choice” . It means “planned”.

Patients have elective surgery for cancer. They don’t choose to have cancer. They don’t want to have the surgery. They have it because their medical team think it’s the best way to save / extend their lives or improve the quality of their lives.

Many CS are done to save the life of the mother or the baby. Or because the medical team think it’s the safest way to deliver that child for that mother.

People really need to get their noses out of other peoples medical care. This is why doctors will not comment on the medical care of people who are not their patients - because they don’t have all the facts.

I've considered this.

I had one friend who had such a huge tear and massive blood loss she was in hospital days after, she says now she doesn't get much from sex.

Another friend who gave birth 3 years ago, she still has a lot of leaking issues, has a vaginal prolapse, she often takes spare underwear out with her.

I only know one person to have a c section (emergency) she was in a bad way for about a month after (she had to wear a nappy for a while as she was having both bowel and bladder incontinence) she made a full recovery with no long term symptoms.

But, I guess the majority of people don't have these issues, but as I've heard all the gory details of them an elective c section seems preferable to me!

Exactly, l wouldn’t dream of commenting on someone’s cancer treatment or COPD treatment. Why comment on someone’s birth?

Im having a c section (sorry, not sorry!). It’s twins, lm 43 and it’s an IVF pregnancy. Plus they’re not small babies: 76 and 94 percentile at the last check. Consultant is fine with this, so is my husband (qualified nurse of 15 years) and so am l (qualified nurse of 10 years). I know it’s not the easy option and there are risks. But lm thinking about the risks to my babies -especially twin 2. I will have to be induced early at around 37 weeks (not allowed to go to 40 weeks due to twins and IVF). NICE guidelines say l have 20 minutes gap maximum between deliveries or it’s a caesarean. So let’s imagine l deliver twin 1 with a bit of tearing but go over 20 minutes with twin 2 -plus that’s the bigger twin. I will then have to have a caesarean anyway. There’s a 1 in 3 chance this will happen. Noooo!

Exactly, l wouldn’t dream of commenting on someone’s cancer treatment or COPD treatment. Why comment on someone’s birth?

Exactly. Maybe it's because it's a women's health issue? The personal detail of women's lives are regularly commented on...It's like we're viewed as public property or something..🤨

I think it's because so many people have given birth and then some of them think they are experts after doing so. There are some people who will comment and suggest things about medical conditions they have no idea about (repairing a cleft lip is not remotely similar to doing an episiotomy, so no, the midwife won't be repairing my son's cleft lip in the delivery room). But admittedly that is much less common. But with birth lots of people want to express their opinion.

If someone IRL decided to comment on my 'choice' of a c section they'd be told to fuck off.

I had a very fast recovery too. Much faster than a lot of friends who had VBs and had tears. I'd 'choose' it again in a heartbeat.

You've posted on this site, then taken great exception to people responding with their views, why bother with the post. I'm an anti elective caesarean person, simple because it is not the natural outcome of a pregnancy. If required for medical need, then fine, but not because of concern over a natural birth. The aftermath of the surgery impacts on the relationship between mother & baby, it can also affect breastfeeding - is there any research into this? You can do what you want, but any women in whom I have a vested interest - granddaughters now - I would be vociferously counselling them against the sunroof option.

Impacts how exactly? No impact on my relationship with my children and I’ve breastfed all my 3 who were born via c section successfully. My cousin who had an extremely traumatic vaginal delivery couldn’t breastfeed as she wasn’t with her baby for 5 days after the birth due to being in ICU and the baby being in NICU and she took a long time to recover.

It’s also absolutely nothing to do with you how your granddaughters give birth. Have you not thought of the damage you could potentially cause telling them one option is wrong in your skewed view? What if they need one to save their babies life and your ridiculous opinion leaves them feeling a failure? Is that really the “relationship” you want with your granddaughters?

I got the sympathy looks too of oh no poor you etc.
My baby was breech. The hosp said a c section was the only option as they didn't deliver known breech babies there. I had no choice.
I had my second via ELC due to having them so close together and risk of uterine rupture if I had a vbac. The doc said its extremely rare but he had witnessed it. That was one witness to many for me.
Nobody should care/judge how YOUR baby is welcomed into to world as long as they are healthy I don't see why anyone else is bothered. Good luck :)

What utter bollocks. My caesarean had no impact at all on my relationship with my daughter.

Also, it has absolutely fuck all to do with you how other women give birth, even those in your own family. I'd be telling anyone who came to me spouting such twaddle to stuff their unwanted opinions up their arse.

I was persuaded to have a natural birth with my first against my better judgment. I ended up having a horrific time that resulted in an emergency c-section and was then in hospital for several weeks with severe complications. This was followed by a number of counselling sessions (also on the NHS) to help with my considerable mental health issues that resulted from the birth. So all in all, I ended up costing the NHS far more than if I’d just had an elective c-section in the first place.

Fuck. I’m glad you’re not in my family. You’re awful.

I take it you've never actually had a c section so how can you justify your comment on bonding post birth?

OP when I was dithering over whether to book a c section the consultant told me, quite plainly, 'the risks of a vaginal birth are risks to the baby. The risks of a c section are risks to the mother.' I was cut open so my babies could come into the world healthy and safe and no amount of natural birth warrior mama bullshit will diminish that.

Dunning Kruger, ladies and gentleman.