Page 2 | Elective C section

suziequeue1 · 2026-01-13T11:59:50+00:00

10 weeks pregnant at the moment and mentioned to a midwife in passing that I plan to have an elective C-Section and she looked at me a bit strange. Now I am worried about pushing for this. Also wondering when I actually tell the hospital that this is what I want- would it be at my 12 week scan? Or is that too early? I am 1000% sure this is what I want for many reasons. There is 0% chance I will change my mind. Having a vaginal birth is not ideal for me because of certain medical issues related to my spine which makes it difficult for me to push.

pteromum · 13/01/2026 20:45

LittleMG · 13/01/2026 15:19

It will be hard

Edited

? Wheesht.

what nonsense

Greybeardy · 13/01/2026 20:50

MyNavyPeer · 13/01/2026 13:16

I'm not sure you need your spinal surgeon specifically to be involved, but it sounds like you should have consultant led maternity care. I have rheumatoid arthritis so I had consultant led care, it basically meant I saw the consultant or a registrar for most of my appointments instead of a midwife.

The consultant obstetrician has expertise in pregnancies that are "high risk" for whatever reason. My maternity care was at a different hospital from my rheumatology, so it was probably at my booking in appointment that I was assigned the consultant led care based on my answers to the questions. I don't really remember though.

Also, a lot of medical staff won't say the perfect thing in all situations, so please don't focus too much on one midwife's response. You can have a c section if you just feel like it, or if you have a great reason to like you do. You may get a few medical staff giving you the pros and cons, as they feel they need to give you a balanced view, even if you've told them your mind is made up, so don't let it bother you or sway you.

For what it's worth, I've had two elective c sections, and would highly recommend.

You may get a few medical staff giving you the pros and cons, as they feel they need to give you a balanced view, even if you've told them your mind is made up

every patient absolutely should be given the pros and cons because it's a really important part of the consent process and the patient needs to knows they are making a properly informed decision. Even when a section is the the best way to deliver for spinal/orthopaedic reasons, or if it just remains the patient's preference, they still absolutely need to know what the effects of the procedure might be for a chronic back problem and know what they're looking out for post-op in terms of back problems as well as all the usual obstetric stuff.

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 13/01/2026 20:50

Congratulations on your pregnancy OP.

Slothey · 13/01/2026 21:12

I was asked at my booking in appointment (for DD2, I can’t remember about DD1). I said I wanted an ELCS and that was that, I was in the system and got a date at about 20 weeks (which changed because of the baby, but I think would otherwise have been fairly fixed).

Id had one for DD1 as well which might have changed things, but there was zero resistance. Which was great!

MyNavyPeer · 13/01/2026 21:19

Greybeardy · 13/01/2026 20:50

You may get a few medical staff giving you the pros and cons, as they feel they need to give you a balanced view, even if you've told them your mind is made up

every patient absolutely should be given the pros and cons because it's a really important part of the consent process and the patient needs to knows they are making a properly informed decision. Even when a section is the the best way to deliver for spinal/orthopaedic reasons, or if it just remains the patient's preference, they still absolutely need to know what the effects of the procedure might be for a chronic back problem and know what they're looking out for post-op in terms of back problems as well as all the usual obstetric stuff.

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Oh absolutely, you're right. I meant more that she may get the same information repeated by several members of staff, which could be frustrating, but is likely well intentioned. They probably don't know what conversations have already been had.

Pinksnowstars · 13/01/2026 21:30

Will you still be able to have the spinal anaesthetic or would you need a general anaesthetic for your section? Did the spinal consultant say that you are safe to have a spinal or epidural?

CotswoldsCamilla · 13/01/2026 21:34

Quote the NICE guidelines at them. Don’t let them talk you out of it if it’s what you really want. They will absolutely try. Develop tokophobia if you need to 😉
An elective c-section is an absolute dream, from my own personal experience. So civilised.
Congratulations on your pregnancy. Exciting times ahead.

RedToothBrush · 13/01/2026 21:35

It's never to early.

I had mine agreed before getting pregnant...

Date booked at 16 weeks (I've never heard of being booked in earlier though).

Greybeardy · 13/01/2026 21:39

Pinksnowstars · 13/01/2026 21:30

Will you still be able to have the spinal anaesthetic or would you need a general anaesthetic for your section? Did the spinal consultant say that you are safe to have a spinal or epidural?

the anaesthetist would decide that (because they are the ones who can weigh up the relative risks vs benefits of both techniques), but that is why a referral to the anaesthetist is important so they can get advice from the spinal team if needed.

Original poster

suziequeue1 · 14/01/2026 09:35

Greybeardy · 13/01/2026 21:39

the anaesthetist would decide that (because they are the ones who can weigh up the relative risks vs benefits of both techniques), but that is why a referral to the anaesthetist is important so they can get advice from the spinal team if needed.

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I already have an appointment with anaesthetics. I got the letter after my booking appt so I assume it's because I spoke about my back issues. The appointment is booked for when I am 32 weeks though?

OP posts: