To be making myself ill about pregnancy.

[Lotte7]

I am extremely anxious. I had a elective C-section due to my anxiety 15 years ago.
I have just discovered I’m pregnant again and I’m driving myself crazy. Will they let me have a C-section again this time? The midwives I’ve spoken to have all said it ‘should be fine’, but it’s just over the phone.

I feel like I am making myself ill with worry. My last pregnancy was terrible because of my anxiety and I feel like it’s happening all over again.

Oh my lovely. That’s so hard. I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t say yes. Maternal MH is absolutely a reason for C section plus you’ve already had one. I’m guessing they don’t want to guarantee as that’s simply not how the procedure works.
What support did you have with your MH before? Can you access that?

Usually you get a choice whether you have a VBAC or c-section after you've had one.

Congratulations and hope you can find a way to relax and enjoy your pregnancy 🤞

It's under nice guidelines. You will be ok. State clearly..you can't be refused. Enjoy your baby x

Thank you for your replies. This has made me feel a bit calmer. I really want to enjoy my pregnancy this time around but I feel I’m losing the battle already. Hopefully knowing I can at least plan the birth that I want, and can’t be refused it, will help x

The nightly anxiety is creeping back with a vengeance, so just bumping x

What support did you have before? Do you have any techniques that help?

I have tried seeking help but I can’t get an appointment in the doctors. I hope that all I need is a ten minute talk with my old consultant where he will tell me I’ll be monitored for my conditions and I can have a c section. But I can’t seem to get that

I had no support last time. And no techniques. I asked for a c section and was told no. Then I had to be induced at 35 weeks and asked my consultant for a C-section due to past abuse and anxiety and he said ok.

I have had to have a termination in the past due to the anxiety of all this. I’ve tried for almost two weeks now to get a doctors appointment but they keep saying call back the next morning.

I went to see the consultant around ten years ago now, when I was thinking of planning another pregnancy. He told me exactly what I wanted to hear. How I’d be monitored, and how I can have a C-section. So I should feel calm. But this was ten years ago. And my anxiety stopped me from planning another pregnancy.
I have spoke to a midwife and she said if I want to speak to said consultant, I need to be referred to by gp.
I know you are right and I should just know my rights and walk in and tell them I want one.

How far along are you? I'm 14 weeks atm and I am suffering terrible anxiety, my GP has been fantastic tbf I have started on sertraline and promethazine about 6 weeks ago and I am starting to feel much much better. Try and get a GP appointment and some help from them and your midwife but I also think being out of the first trimester has improved stuff for me, the first 12 weeks is really hard remember these feeling won't be here forever.

Hi Op, I just wanted to tell you about my recent birth experience and hopefully it might ease you a little.
I had an EMCS 9years ago. I’ve very recently had dc2 and I got told early on in my pregnancy that if I wanted another c sec I could have one due to my previous one.
I had a meeting with a consultant straight after my 12 week scan and she asked me what my birth preference was. Personally, I decided to go for a VBAC which was fully supported but I always got reminded I had the option to change my mind at any point and have an ELCS. At almost every midwife appointment they double checked that I still wanted to go ahead with a VBAC so it got brought up often.
You have every right to an ELCS if that’s what you want. Stay firm and know they can’t refuse if that’s what you want.

Every comment that says it’s my choice helps me a lot, thank you. I’m so embarrassed and ashamed of myself for feeling this way.

I'm a midwife, OP.
If you've had a caesarean already you'll be offered another one - some doctors will offer you the choice between a section and a VBAC. If they do, just say you want the section. It won't be a
problem.
Good luck and I hope you enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

I hope you are OK OP.

I find it a bit harsh to say you didn’t do your research last time. NICE guidelines have been updated many times in the last 15 years. Were you familiar with NICE guidelines surrounding maternal request ELCS 15 years ago? It was much harder then, not impossible by any means, but much harder.

OP you are in a different position this time in that you have previously given birth by CS. That means you are in a far better position. Along with the change in NICE guidelines saying that informed maternal request is a valid reason for ELCS, they cannot refuse you (well, then can, but not without passing you to someone who is happy to help). Good luck.

Aw honey, don't be embarrassed.
You can't help how you feel. Nobody's judging you.

And I've just read my previous post and saw that I didn't make it clear that this is your right, your choice.

I managed to speak with a gp over the phone today. It didn’t go very well, but eventually she phoned me back and said she’d passed my details on to my consultant of my last pregnancy. I hope this means I can relax a little.

I’m glad you’re getting somewhere OP.

I had a c section with my first. With my second the midwife said “are you planning a c section again?”, I said yes, and that was it, it was not questioned by anyone, I didn’t have to argue my case or anything.

It's your midwife you need to speak to.
There's nothing your GP can do.