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...

A baby can be stuck without being too big marypoppins, you are sounding more and more surreal the more you attempt to defend your rambling thoughts.

"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? "

Earthakitten what are you talking about?! Where have I said any of that? I am totally in support of mothers choice. I really don't understand you? Not helpful posts to the OP either.

marypoppins, it is more the case that the baby is too far down the birth canal that cs no longer becomes an option and forceps the only 'choice'.

I am touched by your high regard for medical staff being competent and having the mother and baby's best interests at heart. My brother, who did an internship at a maternity ward, was taken aback at some of the things he witnessed.

As the OP only wants one baby, I think it is a no-brainer.

Blueshoes but you would trust them to do major surgery then?

Sure, I can go back and formalise what you said, if you're not capable.

First, you said:

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

Then you quoted some statistics with regards to risks to mothers as a result of emergency c-sections, which concluded with this:

"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"

I can only assume that when you ascertained in bold that c-sections are less safe than instrumental deliveries you were only talking about the effect on mothers.

Or were you saying something else?

Yes. Elective cs is a lovely controlled environment. The stitching was exquisite and left me with almost no scar, as compared to my emergency cs.

Earthakitten your tone towards me is really rude and unhelpful towards OP "if you're not capable" - nice! I really don't know why you are being so hostile. I will say for the last time to you that I believe mums should be given informed choice...end of. I was in the position of OP. I wanted a section! I'm not going to post back to you or blueshoes as its totally unhelpful to OP.

OP - Best of luck with everything. I know how it feels to worry so much about the birth. Its horrible. Talk to your midwife, I hope she is someone you have got to trust. Off load, tell her all your fears and worries. She should spend lots of time talking to you and DP and whatver you decide to do I am sure all around you will be supportive etc. From my experience and my friends who have all had babies (in lots of different birth situations), staff care and want to do the very best for you and baby. Most of all, look forward to your new baby! Its a very special time :)

It's nice that you believe mothers should be able to make an informed choice marypoppins.

It would be even nicer if you were able to assist them to do that

Oh bugger, I wasn't meant to post back to you but hell:
"It would be even nicer if you were able to assist them to do that" meaning......?

"Informed choice", under the NHS? OMG, we must live in a parallel universe.