Did you request a c section? If so was it difficult to get it?

[womsaal]

In the last year I know 11 people who have given birth. Only two had vaginal births and the others were either a planned or emergency c section. I just wondered if that happens to be my pool of people and in fact most people give birth vaginally? The reason I wonder about this is because I elected a c section (and had to fight for it) because I just knew my frame wouldn’t be able to push out the baby. I was right as our baby was nearly 11 pounds and I am tiny. It would likely have ended in c section anyway but I was massively discouraged to do this. I feel really strongly that women know their own bodies and yet it seems the majority are forced to try and give birth vaginally and then end up in an emergency situation that could have been avoided?

Vaginal birth is better for baby as they pass through more of your microbiome and helps their immunity.

I had a vaginal birth and stitches down there which I couldn't take anything for except paracetamol due to bf. It was so painful, cant imagine having to deal with a c section healing on barely any pain meds if bf!

Your body shouldn't grow a baby that doesn't fit your frame, goes against nature as your frame carries them for 9m.

I asked for one as I started haemorrhaging following an induction. They couldn't tell me what would happen if they cracked on and broke my waters but still tried to convince me to go with that rather than a section. I put my foot down and DD was finally delivered 14 hours after the haemorrhage started, not breathing. Thankfully resuscitated, but that was without a doubt the worst night/day of my life. It was during one of the junior doctors strikes and they just didn't have the capacity for more sections.

I had two elective c sections after a stillbirth. It wasn’t an issue at all, I couldn’t have gone through natural labour again and my consultant wholeheartedly supported that.

Had 2 electives, granted at booking appointment basically! Practically suggested by the midwife. The first c section was for my second child after my first tore me in half on his exit 🙃 then third was basically a given because of my previous ELCS and maternal choice.

The 1950's called, they want you back so you can stop poisoning the rights of women and their entitlement to good healthcare

I think you’re right. I’m in my forties C-section births were much fewer back then. I wished I’d had the confidence to stand my ground, I really struggled with recovery but was so fed up I’d have said ok to pretty much anything.

Your body shouldn't grow a baby that can't fit its frame? What a sack of shit.

Elective booked for second after an emergency with first. No issues or pushback.

I asked for a section with DC2 after a shit show of a vaginal birth with DC1. Referred to consultant and explained my reasons he asked me what date I would like and booked me in straight away.
Went in for my section, been there a few hours and all prepared, they put my canula in and said right we will be back in ten minutes to take you to theatre...im excited but terrified about the surgery. Ten minutes later in walks a different consultant who says he's just reviewed my notes and thinks I should go home and wait for labour to start naturally and try for a vaginal birth. I lost the plot and ended up hysterical...luckily my other half kicked off for me and I got my section but it was stressful. The midwife who was looking after me was furious and just stood hugging me for ages afterwards trying to calm me down, the doctor who actually did the section came in afterwards and asked me to complain!!!

My DiL requested a C Section (no medical reason) from the beginning- she faced no 'argument' etc from any of the midwives etc

It is generally safer and better for the baby to be born vaginally than via c-section if that's feasible. Obviously not in all cases. It is also much more costly for the NHS. I think it's the right thing that you should have to argue for a c-section - BUT it should be supported where there's need for it eg serious maternal mental health issues, family history of issues labouring eg pelvis not relaxing as it should, very large baby with small mother etc. It also should be offered proactively in those cases where mothers haven't raised it ie have you considered a c-section, this could be the safest route for your baby. It should be like any other medical treatment, medical staff should make patients aware of their options and pros and cons, and then agree a way forward.

Also meant to add my friend asked her consultant obstetrician about the options and about a csection and they said absolutely not to her. Wouldn't even discuss the pros and cons, which I think is very wrong.

I had an elective section booked and it was no battle at all. The consultant told me the risks associated with a Caesarian but said I had the right to a ‘maternal request for a csection’ and that it was my choice. All booked in at 34 weeks for just before my due date.

As it turned out, I needed one anyway due to the size of my baby and it was brought forward to 38 weeks.

Yes, years ago. Midwife fully supportive, GP not so much but grudgingly referred me to a consultant to discuss. I had that appointment at 20 weeks expecting a battle, but no, he was all for it... This was 20 odd years ago and no regrets. However, I feel very strongly that women should have absolute right over their own bodies so fully support ELCS/ home birth/ whatever in between...as long as that's what that particular woman has chosen...

I feel that first time mums in general don’t have their wishes respected as much as they should as there is a lot of presumed ignorance from the medical profession, and often a lot of fear from the mum themselves about making the “wrong” decision.

Second time around both myself and my counterparts who have gone on to have 2nd or 3rd children have felt much more listened to and able to advocate for ourselves.

Mnk711, I think you may not be correct about costs. I've actually seen studies stating CS may be cheaper overall when you factor in treating complications arising from VB in the future.

I had gynae issues before getting pg and my consultant insisted that I would need a cs for any future pgs. I was happy with that and there was never any need to persuade anyone that I needed one. It was never questioned by any medical staff throughout my pg.

The UK stats are that 31% of births are cs so OP's social circle doesn't seem to be in line with the official rates.
www.chrissieyu.com/c-section-rates-statistics-uk-global/

I requested one and faced no pushback at all. It was an IVF pregnancy after loss and I was extremely anxious for my baby to be born safely. Everyone agreed that we needed a clear end point.

Gosh, I’m so sorry!

Won't get into a debate but just wanted to add to this my daughter is now 2, she was born via c section and has the best immune system she's hardly even had a cold ... And god forbid we FORMULA fed her..... Oooh I can see the pearl clutching from here!

I had a c section last week and had oral morphine and a codeine based painkiller and can breastfeed from birth with no issues.

Similar experience, from research and discussion I felt it was safest for the baby and got no pushback to be fair.

Tell that to my tiny 4'11" friend who has had 4 giant 9.5lb+ babies!

With my first I asked multiple times for a C-section. I was told no, I could be induced. Babies heart stopped and I got a cat 1 about an hour into induction. Second was a planned C-section, third was cat 1 C-section due to decels and placental issues.

I switched hospitals after my 1st and my consultant was absolutely disgusted when reading my notes from my first pregnancy and a midwife with my 3rd 13 years later was in shock at them to! They all agreed looking at the notes that a C-section should’ve been done as opposed to induction.