What do you need to do/ have to get an elcs?

[soppypreggyloon]

My friend is due dc2 same time as me. She's in a right pickle at the minute as she was told by the mw at her booking in appointment that she couldn't have an elcs.

First time round she had 2nd degree tear which didn't heal well at all and got infected. Took her at least 6months to heal and she says it's still not right.
She also suffered from pnd- not enough o require treatment but it's only looking back she realises how bad she was. She thinks that's because of the mess the episiotomy and tearing made.

So could she get an elcs?
How does she persuade someone?

Thanks on her behalf!

"Granted, a degree is required and no, I wouldn't want a nurse delivering my baby either... but it's naive to ignore the potential for serious medical problems occurring during childbirth - problems which a midwife is not medically qualified to deal with. That's my point.

I think anyone having a homebirth in 2010 is foolhardy. You are just plain lucky that things haven't gone very wrong. What's with all the bravura about having the least interventionist birth possible? Why not concentrate on having a safe birth?

Women in the UK are conditioned to expect very little attention from actual medical doctors during pregnancy and birth. They expect to see a different midwife each time they have a check-up, two scans and perhaps a night in an MRSA ridden hospital (is the UK still the worst in Europe for MRSA rates?). Perhaps that's why you prefer to give birth at home."

Scarabeetle - as with all professions there are good midwives and bad midwives. However all midwives are now trained to degree standard, and as part of NMC Rules and Standards are expected to recognise any deviations form normal and refer accordingly. Therefore if all is well, the midwife is ideally placed professional, however as soon as deviation form normality occurs -they must refer on to appropriate professional - ie medics.

Regarding MRSA many people are carriers of MRSA and effectively bring MRSA into the hospital rather than aquiring it in "MRSA ridden hospital". Many hospitals now screen all admissions - including maternity for MRSA
(pre admission for elcs) and on admission for women in labour

My usual community midwife was great however I never really asked her any questions as I tend to research things myself (ad nauseum!). And as I was planning ELCS never got into much in the way of birth discussions.

The hospital midwives I had have ranged from brilliant to absolutely awful and one in particular I am eternaly grsteful for csections as the thought of her attending my birth would be my worst nighmare!

After my first birth the most helpful person to me was one of the 'assistants' (not sure what they call them) - but she was fabulous. Was lucky enough to meet the same woman again after my 2nd ELCS who took me for a shower at 10pmwhen the midwives were 'busy'.