To think good on her ?

[bluelollipop99]

I have a lovely friend who is 36 weeks pregnant, ( her first baby ) , and she mentioned she was having an ELCS.

I asked if the baby was breech, and she said "no medical reason, but I didn't want hours of absolute agony, being told too short staffed for an epidural, tearing , never being the same down there again , feeling tearing with a 25% risk of an EMCS anyway. The NHS will never tell you this , but the NICE guidelines say if you request an ELCS they have to give you one, even if the midwives fuss about it."

I had a great fear of giving birth, but went ahead with vaginal birth as there was the clear pressure at the hospital that having an ELCS for non medical reasons made you "less of a women."

But thinking about it , my cousin had an ELCS at the same time and her recovery was not significantly longer than mine; to make up for the agony I went through.

I also think it's a bit bad that you only get this of you are literate enough to check the NICE guidelines.

AIBU unreasonable to think ELCS is often the best option for some people, and good on her for not being shamed / guilted out of this ?

That girl had a vaginal delivery in the end.

I had one baby vaginally and one by ELCS. I chose the section after a horrendous first delivery and 4th degree tear. My baby ended up with asthma and was in and out of hospital for the first three years of his life, and still gets ill at the drop of a hat. Apparently babies delivered by c section are twice as likely to get asthma and they don't pick up gut biomes from the birth canal. So outcomes for the baby need to be considered as well. Delivering a baby is a roll of the dice but a large part of me wishes I'd tried for a VB. But then maybe he would have been sick anyway.

I almost had to beg for vbac rather than section with my second.
I ended up with a 2nd section so have no idea of what vaginal birth is like.
I don't think c sections should be an option without good reason ( whether that be physical or mental). The NHS can't afford the cost.

Not getting into the debate but clarifying that NICE guidelines is just that 'recommendations'. Trusts don't have to abide by them. The only guidance trust HAVE to follow by law is TAG, Technical Appraisal Guidance.

Women don't have a legal right to demand an elective C-section.

I don't really know what my point is other than delivering babies is risky whatever way you do it and women should be given all the information and allowed to choose.

The cost thing is one of the myths about c sections especially when you factor in costs associated with post-birth complications from natural births (physio, birth injuries etc)

I agree with the poster who said women should have information about their own risk level, not generic statistic about risk.

Once they have that it all about CHOICE isn’t it?!

I had an emergency caesarean before I went into labour and despite the medical emergency, the operation was great, no pain and I was laughing and chatting with my partner throughout. I breastfed straightaway with no difficulties and I found the recovery very quick. It was also nice to be in hospital for a few days to get advice on looking after my newborn. You can barely see my scar. I felt SO lucky compared to all my friends who had such horrible painful experiences with natural births. I had no idea you had the right to elect. I will be advising my DD of this if she ever has a child.

My first was an emergency section after 30 hours on the drip. The section was flawless, but because my poor body was so exhausted after the induced contractions for so long, my womb couldn't contract, I lost over 2.5 litres of blood and the prospect of a full hysterectomy was touch and go until a senior consultant came by and suggested otherwise.
This time around, I'm going straight to section. I have to request it with the consultant in my next call with them, and given my experience the first time round, I think it's highly unlikely it'll be refused but it does make me a little angry that there's even the possibility of me having to VBAC.

Just want to say that I do think there’s a lot of scaremongering about vaginal births, or that you only hear about the traumatic ones. However I do think there are risks with both and all information should be provided for an informed decision to be made.

Why do people think c-sections are the easier option. I have had one natural birth and one planned c-section due to medical reasons. Oh my goodness give me the natural birth any day of the week and believe me I didn't have the easiest of natural births but the six weeks or so after the c-section were horrendous. It's a major major operation.

I had a planned section for my first baby (medical necessity), and will for no2 shortly in any circumstances - I thought it was a lovely way to give birth.

I have encountered some shitty attitudes though - a postnatal yoga teacher told me it was a shame I wouldn’t be able to bond properly (total bollocks!).

Much more common in the US. I had a traumatic VB with ongoing complications over a year later, and wouldn’t change it to a CS, but absolutely others should have a choice.

Exactly. It doesn't matter that Betty down the street had an awful c section, or that Joan next door had a terrible vaginal birth or that Maud had the best birth ever. None of those are you and have your medical history.

Good luck getting physio after a natural birth the way the NHS is at the moment! I’ve been fighting for a year.

Absolute rubbish!!!!!!!!!

I breastfed no problem after a c section too. This comment has really annoyed me with your ignorance!

Electing for a section is fine, it’s there for a reason.

not sure why people are putting “ “ around the word natural when referring to a vaginal birth, like it’s not a real thing. Vaginal births are the natural way that humans have babies. There’s no “ “ about it.
Our bodies are designed to give birth vaginally, sections were invented.

If there’s options for a section and someone would prefer it then that’s great, absolutely does not guarantee a risk free birth and no complications after.

Have I judged someone I know for having a section under general twice rather than a vaginal birth or an “awake” section? Yes. How are you going to brave a lifetime of parenting when you’re too scared to be awake when they’re born?

I’m pro women being able to choose what kind of birth they want.

I had a vaginal birth and it was a gentle/positive experience. The idea of a c section terrified me, especially an emergency.

I would say the idea of an ELCS if that is what the woman wants is preferable to the idea of an emergency c section.

This thread has appeared just when I needed it. Waiting for a scan next week to see if baby is still frank breech. It'll be a definite c section if she is but I am going to ask for one anyway even if she has turned.

After needing IVF to conceive, being diagnosed with gestational diabetes and getting horrendous pelvic pain, I just need some element of control back in my life. Even though I know a c section can mean a harder recovery, I will at least know when the section will be happening and the help I'm likely to need afterward (much better than waiting to see the damage a vaginally delivery does to my body).

My midwife has been great so far, so I'm hoping not to have to fight for this!

My DD is 1 now and i have no regrets.
my DH was more annoyed and angry than me about the numerous questions as to "why?" And "oh is there a medical reason" 😅

Agree its about understanding your risk factors and likely outcomes
Two of my friends had flawless natural births. Both were just turned 30, tall and in great health - both babies were just under 7lbs.
One was 32 and in not great shape with an 8lb +... induced horribly then in labour for 30 hours followed by emcs and almost dying. They wanted a big family but their child may well be an only.
Another 40, short not in great shape still thinks her natural birth was amazing. She had no midwife available for most of birth as she kept being told she wasnt in active labour, and as a result had 3rd degree tearing and anal prolapse as the trainee midwife didnt follow procedures. She is still having birth related sugery 18 months on.

I "knew" I'd be in the latter camp older, short, not great shape and 8 .5 lbs baby. I had no interest in natural birth as i felt is was highly likely to end in complications. My elcs was textbook and scar is tiny.
elcs was the best choice for me in my circumstances

This is so uncalled for

Yep I elected to have one because that was my preference, no other reason. I told my midwife at 12 weeks, saw the consultant at 20weeks and got my date at 36weeks. Went perfectly and I would recommend it to everyone.

I'd have an ELCS over VB now. You are not exhausted, you can plan childcare, there are staff ready for you. Yes, there can be complications after but you just need to be careful and keep up your pain medication religiously. And YOU CAN BREASTFEED. It didn't make it more difficult. You just have to be persistent as you would a VB.

I completely agree with this.
The thought of ce being my only option might have actually put me off having children.

It should be a woman’s choice, which looks like it really is but we just need to know our rights more. Hcp should be more open in proving us with options

I had a fantastic vaginal birth with a 9lb 7oz boy at 37 weeks. All well BUT by 30 years old I was having appointments with a consultant for prolapse which, 9 years later still isn't quite fixed.

If I had my time again with the knowledge I do, I'd be having a ELCS too.

Everyone to their own but I was terrified at the thought of a section after having had abdominal surgery years previously. Fortunately everything went smoothly for a vaginal birth.

These threads though will attract posters who endorse sections because it all went well for them; no one is going to come on here and tell you about their complications afterwards because that’s not the tone of the thread. I’ve known four women who have all had serious complications after sections (and of course more who it’s been fine for) and needed further surgery and treatment.

Its major surgery so make your decision with your eyes wide open and not just listen to all the positive stories.

Also with the way the NHS is going in years to come we may find that you’ll have to pay if you don’t have a proven medical reason for needing major surgery for childbirth.