anyone requested a c-section, who hasn't had previous birth trauma?

[emilie89]

and under what circumstances was your request accepted/denied?

i am asking because my OH and i have been having more and more discussions concerning the pros and cons of vaginal or cesarean deliveries. my OH is very insistent on me asking for a c-section (although I currently have no need for one, that I am aware of) due to the circumstances of his own birth. he was born eventually with the assistance of forceps, which left him with severe damage to his optical nerve resulting in complete blindness in his left eye. after the long and complicated birth his mother was left in a real state with internal bleeding etc.

i have had high blood pressure throughout my pregnancy, meaning that me and baby have been monitored closely. would this have any effect on a request for a c-section?

i have specified in my birth plan that i do not want an instrumental birth and if this is suggested then i would want to be given a c-section, this is something i am certain of. i have also said that i do not want to be induced, is there any chance of asking for a c-section in place of being induced?

i am aware of the complications, recovery times etc that having an operation like this entails (i was born by an emergency c-section). i am just curious to see whether anyone has been granted a c-section for reasons other than previous birth traumas. i am also trying to gather info so that my arguments with my OH can be better informed, however I stress again that he and I both know that c-sections are not a walk in the park...

Can I just say that, having had c-sections due to circumstances out of my control - for God's sake, don't!

You will never, I repeat NEVER get your tummy anywhere near flatness again.

I can see why your OH is worried but I couldn't recommend the hospitals I was in enough - all the staff care about is making sure you and your baby are ok.

Good luck x

That's not true. I know several people who've had caesarians who have got their flat tummies back. I didn't get mine back but it wasn't flat to start with!!

I think I've heard of people who have had traumatic sexual experiences being given elcs. I can't help you, I'm afraid - had an emcs. But I hope other people come along who can.

FWIW you can get your tummy flat again. Sometimes that's not the most important part though.

I don't know anyone who had an elcs for a first birth (for non-medical reasons).

You need to speak to a consultant, the midwife won't be able to make a decision about it.

casserole and megle Maybe after one c-section but there is more risk of having more after the first one - and that's the problem (note the plural on the end of section in my first post).

I had an ELCSf or my first which was granted (after a fight) because I did not want a VB as I found the thought horific. Subsequently had another for DC2. You can get your stomach flat again fwiw!! You need to discuss with a consultant but only do what YOU are happy with.

Pirate - nope, sorry, the friends I am thinking of have had 3 and 4 sections respectively and I'd kill for either of their flat tummies!!

emilie89, yes I did. I'll link you to another thread which might be helpful - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/954334-Anyone-asked-for-ELCS-for-first-baby

I don't know how much of a concern a flat tummy is for you. Personally it wasn't anywhere near my list of priorities. As it happens, my belly is fairly flat 5 months post CS - but then I never had any stretch marks from pregnancy either, and don't look much different at all from pre-pregnancy. I can't claim that's effort on my part - so much of this is luck of the draw.

Yes, I requested one and am booked in for Friday. It's my first pregnancy.

My notes say 'on recommendation from the mental health team' - I've had several issues during the pregnancy (including a phobia, but not of actual birth) and have been seen by the team since 20 weeks.

However, I only decided at 33 weeks CS was really what I wanted. Good luck with whatever YOU decide.

PS: I couldn't give a toss about a flat tummy, and don't intend to go through pregnancy again. In fact I asked to be sterilised during the op but was declined.

i have had 3 c sections all for medical reasons, I don have a perfectly flat tummy but it really is the least important thing in my opinion

Hi,
I requested a section which my first baby, and got one.
I had to go to see the consultant after discussion with my midwife who was very supportive.
I went with a dossier of why I wanted a section, I've got a non serious heart problem, which he dismissed, big baby, not a problem,birth trauma, but my husband's job really was his main factor. I walked out of his office feeling stupid for asking but got my wish.
It was a lovely experience, very calm and relaxed, recovery not a problem.
I'm now 20 weeks preg with 2nd and will have another section, moved to Bristol where they have said that they wouldn't have given me a section.
Midwife gave personal opinion on what happens to c sections so not supportive, but still looking forward to having this baby.
I think it depends on where you live, but make sure you have good reasons prepared to argue your case when you visit the consultant, you can make the appointment yourself if midwife is not with you.

Legally, I'm not sure if they can refuse, it puts them in a difficult position, if something goes wrong with a Vb, when you've asked for a CS but I'm not an expert.

good luck, think carefully, I didn't tell anyone because it was my body and my birth and my choice. I enjoyed it.

I requested a section for my first. I lived overseas (SE Asia) and it's quiet common with private doctors.

I wanted one because I've been raped and was feeling very anxious about childbirth. My doctor said not to make the decision until nearer the date and he really advised a natural birth, and I listed to him -- mainly because there was a potential for an incision to re-trigger Asherman's, for which he had previously treat me for.

Ironically as I got to about 30 weeks I felt able to go for a natural birth, but my daughter was breech and I had pre-eclampsia necessitating a planned section.

Incision was only 4 inches, I have a completely flat stomach (because the incision was so small it didn't create pouch) and recovery was easy and breastfeeding no problem

I'm pregnant again (did test at work today!) and will probably request another section rather than a vbac.

Just wanted to add that it NOT TRUE that you won't ever have a flat stomach again. Mine is perfectly flat (and the rest of me isn't so I'm not bragging!) - you can barely see my scar and that's after an emergency, you're even less likely to get overhang after an elective

I had a CS signed off by the NHS for my first birth, as I was 37 and we'd had a lot of fertility treatment, and I thought we'd never get as far a real baby, and burst into tears in front of my consultant, saying I wanted something as low risk as poss for the baby. She agreed and said so long as I was happy to discuss it with the midwife consultant, to make sure I was making an informed choice, they'd do it. As it was I later had a low lying placenta, so it was academic anyway. It was a really lovely positive experience, best day of my life!
CS isn't for everyone though, and make sure you make the right choice for YOU, not your husband. Best of luck x

emilie89 hi,
Firstly this is your first baby and you and your DH are obviously full of worries and questions. Its only natural, birth is a big deal!

You have made a really sensible request I think, that you and DP would rather avoid an instrumental deliverey. FWIW I did, I wanted to avoid birth injury to baby and me. I felt that a section verses forceps delivery was safer. This isn't true however. BUT it would ease you mind and that is just as important. By making this request you could labour naturally (do as much as you can to make birth easy, avoid induction, read up on positions etc) and just see what happens!

You may well find you will labour well, have a well positioned baby and push that baby out in no time!

Take to your midwife LOTS. Keep an eye on babies weight and position etc.

I was so scared before my first baby, I begged to have a CS and was booked it. Baby thought otherwise, I had him 5 weeks early with a little vontouse pull and it was FAB! Baby number 2, whole labour from start to finish was 43mins :0

Remember 2 things:

1. Your body is amazing, are so are the midwifes and doctors, together you will birth your baby!

2)Millions (?) of women give birth everyday and the very vast majority have great experineces going home as a well mum with a well baby.

Enjoy your pregnancy! xxx

Aside from the CS issue, what woorries me here is that your DH is trying to force/manipulate/blackmail you into having unecessary and potentially dangerous surgery.

If he's like this now...

marypoppins: "I felt that a section verses forceps delivery was safer. This isn't true however."

Interesting - can you elaborate. Forceps is safer? For mother or baby or both. What is your evidence.

itsawonderful... her DH was left with no sight in one of his eyes! Of course he's worried about that possibly happening to his own DC. He's not "manipulating" as far as the OP reads...
Sorry, I disagree with you.

OP - I requested a CS for my DS 2 years ago (1st and only child) and it was not granted. I even had a letter from a private GP recommending it based on previous trauma and my emotional/mental health surrounding the birth. The result was a lot of stress throughout my pregnancy, an enormous amount of anxiety far beyond "normal" and a traumatic birth, from which, 2 years on, I do not think I have fully recovered (though physically I am all put back together fine).

A planned c-section is far safer for the baby than a forceps delivery.

A planned c-section does increase the risk to the mother, and any subsequent children.

I would love to know how MaryPoppins knows it ISN'T TRUE that a c-section is safer though.

My first child and I were MAULED by a forceps delivery, and I really mean that. It was the most grizzly and traumatic experience of both of our lives.

I'm sick to death of this lip service that instrumental births are 'better' than c-sections. Some are, I'm sure, but many aren't.

I can only sight what I was told by both my midwife and consultants, however at the time I read loads as I really wanted to avoid a forceps delivery and have a planned c-section. I was worried about tearing etc. Had HUGH fears over being damaged etc. Came on mumsnet loads and read lots of stories like yours Earthakitten and was scared sooooo much.

Fact: if you have a bad delivery (whatever method of delivery that is) its bloody horrid.

But I will try to dig out the other facts I found, give me a while.

"The researchers followed 393 women who got stuck in the second stage of labor, after their cervix was fully open, or dilated, who were directed either to have a C-section or to deliver by forceps.

``We wished to establish whether there is any place for complex instrumental deliveries in modern obstetric practice,'' Murphy explained. The findings were published in the October 13th issue of The Lancet.

The investigators found that women who had a Caesarean delivery were more than twice as likely to suffer major bleeding and were more than three times as likely to require a prolonged hospital stay.

For example, 10% of the women who delivered by C-section suffered significant blood loss, compared with 3% of women who delivered by forceps. Similarly, 16% of the women who delivered by C-section required six or more days in the hospital, compared with only 5% of the women who delivered by forceps.

However, the babies who were delivered by forceps had an increased chance of suffering trauma such as bruising, cuts, nerve injuries and a small chance of cerebral bleeding.

The doctors noted that the women who went on to have C-sections were not more likely to be deemed in a more critical condition originally than the women who had been allowed to deliver using forceps. The researchers also took into account influencing factors such as the mother's body weight and the infant's birth weight.

Murphy's team also found that women were less likely to have a C-section and to endure adverse outcomes if they were handled by a highly experienced obstetrician.

``Women should be offered the choice of instrumental delivery by an experienced obstetrician, where there is a reasonable chance of achieving safe vaginal delivery,'' Murphy concluded.

SOURCE: The Lancet 2001;358:1203-1207.

I do think there are some points to also consider:

1. Use of forceps has declined and I read quite often that as a result of less being carried out the sucess rates and outcomes were not always as good as they might otherwise have been.

2. OP has said she wants to avoid assisted birth which I did and understand, so if she doesn't labour well and pushing isn't working, the OP will have to go to theatre etc. They won't do anything against your wishes so c-section will be the only option available anyway.

emilie89 I almost hate posting anything as I remember so well being in your shoes and fear is the most unhelpful emotion to have in childbirth. Please speak to a midwife you trust and off load to her and make up your own mind for what is best for you.

marypoppins, won't the study be comparing an instrumental delivery v. emergency cs, rather than v. elective cs. The risks of an emergency cs are much higher than for an elective. The study also makes it clear that a forceps delivery is not safer for the baby, quite the opposite.

As for the supposed choice that women have to not have an instrumental birth, the only thing a medic needs to say to a tired labouring woman who has a baby stuck in her birth canal is that the baby is going to die unless they use forceps, I'll put good money on it that the woman will say 'yes' without thinking. Also, a theatre/fully scrubbed team may not be available at that crucial juncture, so there is only the deep blue sea.

The only way to avoid this situation is to have an elective cs.

I don't think midwives and consultants are as unbiased about their 'opinions' as one might expect.

You may well be right blueshoes but what do women kind therefore do? Only have c-sections? The very vast majority of births are straight forward and I really hope the OP has a fab experience.

WWIW and in answer to your post though blueshoes forceps delivery are generally carried out in theatre as if they fail, c-section is needed then and there. forceps delivery can only be carried out when critera are met and if the consultant thinks it is risky and/or likely to fail they won't do it.

What blueshoes said.

And can I just add, that one of the most vile concepts that has been perpetuated in recent years is that women have an ELCS because they are too vain, or too lazy to give birth vaginally.

Believe me, if you've been in a position where your own child has been wrenched from your body by their head, and watched your tiny newborn deal with the aftermath of a birth like that your very last considerations are:

a) taking the 'easy way out'
b) retaining the mythical flat stomach
c) not having a scar

I'm staggered that you would debate the risks of c-section vs instrumental birth without taking into account the risks to the baby marypoppins. Don't you think that's what's at the forefront of the mind of most people who go for an ELCS after an instrumental delivery?

"the only thing a medic needs to say to a tired labouring woman who has a baby stuck in her birth canal is that the baby is going to die unless they use forceps, I'll put good money on it that the woman will say 'yes' without thinking."

blueshoes if that were the case, they would have to do a section as forceps can't pull out a baby too big to fit through the birth cannel! It was this type of comment that terrified me when I was in OP position. A doctor isn't there to lie to a mother or cause her or her baby any harm.