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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Can I be refused an ELCS?

17 replies

Phoenixflame · 21/02/2011 22:30

Hi everyone. I'm hoping someone can give me some advice. I'm currently 35wks pregnant and have been under the impression that i was going to have to have an ELCS as i have low-lying placenta as well as high blood pressure and protein in my urine so the doctors think i'm likely to develop pre-eclampsia. So I'm currently going to the hospital twice a week to keep an eye on my blood pressure and get blood tests done.

When i had my 34wk scan i was told although my placenta is still low its no longer covering the birth canal so i can have a 'normal' delivery although i want an ELCS because of the risk of bleeding and my blood pressure etc but would have to wait to see what my consultant said.

I've spoken to more than one doctor and 2 midwives about wanting to have a ELCS because of all the issues I've been having. The midwives agree with me and think that I'm sensible for wanting to have a ELCS but the doctors seem determined to talk me out of it.

When i spoke to my consultant today he said that because i'm high risk i won't be allowed to go to full term and that at 37wks if i haven't needed to go in before then they would book me a date to be induced not an CS because it would be better for baby if i was to go into labour that way even if it turns out i need to have a CS anyway. Does this make sense to anyone?!

I keep trying to explain that i want a ELCS because of the different issues I've been having but the doctors including my consultant doesn't seem to be listening and i find it really difficult to stand my ground cos my pregnancy hormones mean that when i get frustrated talking to the doctors i feel like I'm going to burst into tears.

What can i do? Can they actually refuse to book me a ELCS although i keep asking for one? Can i demand one because I'm considered high risk?

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Flisspaps · 21/02/2011 22:32

You could refuse induction. Can you see another consultant for a second opinion?

eviscerateyourmemory · 21/02/2011 22:37

You dont have to agree to induction if you dont want it.

Equally you cant expect your doctor to want to perform a surgical procedure on you if their professional opinion is that it is not needed.

It is better for the baby if you are in labour prior to a section.

Original poster

Phoenixflame · 21/02/2011 22:39

I wasn't sure if I could or not. Do i just say i want a second opinion when i go in to hospital next? Or should i try to phone and speak to another consultant asap?

OP posts:

BooyFuckingHoo · 21/02/2011 22:39

yes they can if there is no medical need. CS cost a fortune and if they can avoid doing it, they will.

Original poster

Phoenixflame · 21/02/2011 22:47

But the doctor said it was likely I'd need one anyway even after being induced. So is it better to let them induce me then have to have a CS anyway?

Also i've heard that labour can be more painful if you've been induced. Anyone know if this is true?

OP posts:

BooyFuckingHoo · 21/02/2011 22:59

it was true for me. if i was to have anymore i would refuse induction.

BooyFuckingHoo · 21/02/2011 23:00

BTW i have two dcs. my first labour was G&A and pethidine. second was G&A and pethidine which stopped my contractions so that was why i was induced to restart things. never again. G&A only if tehre is ever to be anotehr time for me.

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 21/02/2011 23:02

I would take an ELCS over an induction but your consultant can refuse if they think the risks outweigh benefits.

lucy101 · 21/02/2011 23:17

I am in a similar situation - albeit for different reasons. I have successfully argued for an ELCS but have now agreed to try induction (have done it once before)... however I may well start the induction process (the pessary part) but refuse to go to the Syntocin part if I don't feel it is the right choice at the time. I would love a natural birth but I also have a firm commitment (in letter and in my notes) from the consultant that I can have a CS at any point if I feel I am not coping).

An early induction isn't ideal and yes could be longer/more painful if your body really doesn't want to labour... but there are lots of induction success stories too and you could be one of those and have a successful and safe VB and quick recovery. Have a search through the mumsnet archive and you will find positive induction threads if that helps.

I have also found some support for labouring a little and an earlyish CS (not exactly an emergency CS) being better than an ELCS.

I have found the meetings with consultants etc. to be very stressful. I have had to accept that I cry through them (and find it hard to stand my ground right now) so I write everything down in a document and give it to them to read at the beginning so that I can keep focused on what I want to achieve. My GP has also supported me in a letter to my consultant. All this info. is now in writing and in my notes which has helped.

Original poster

Phoenixflame · 21/02/2011 23:56

Thanks lucy101 that is really helpful. I will have a look through the archives.

This is my 1st DC so I have no idea what to expect. I had been under the impression that i would need a CS because of my low lying placenta and what the doctors told me. So when I 1st asked about an ELCS (at about 28wks) i was told if it was what i wanted it was unlikely my consultant would refuse.

But now my consultant said that they want to induce me and wait and see if my cervix was 'agreeable'(his words not mine). So i feel really confused. All i want is for DC to arrive healthy and safe and from what i'd been told a CS should do that. So i don't really understand is it better for me and DC if I'm induced 1st then go on to have a CS?

OP posts:

Loopymumsy · 22/02/2011 08:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SnapFrakkleAndPop · 22/02/2011 08:11

I was told that the contractions help to clear the baby's system of fluid (lungs etc) and that even if you don't go through with the VB it's like a very intensive massage that primes the baby for the world outside the womb. That may help explain the breathing probs/neonatal spells in ICU.

hazeyjane · 22/02/2011 08:42

The chances of respiratory distress syndrome is greatly reduced the longer the baby is left, their lungs are also protected by the onset of labour (the production of hormones and the contractions massaging the lungs).

Ds was born at 39 weeks (although consultant thinks dates must have been wrong) by elcs. he had RDS, and was in Nicu and Scbu for 8 days.

breatheslowly · 22/02/2011 16:18

Definitely second opinion - could get your GP to refer you. I would choose ELCS over induction if the induction has a real risk of EMCS. If you have gone through quite a lot of labour and then CS you will be in a worse state than if you just have a CS. You won't know who would do the CS if it is EMCS - it could be the middle of the night. You are quite likely with induction to end up with an instrumental birth which can make recovery more difficult than a non-instrumental delivery. I hated induction (& the consequences) and certainly would encourage people not to be induced, but that is down to my own personal experience.

Original poster

Phoenixflame · 23/02/2011 00:16

Thank you so much everyone for your advice its been a great help.

Loopy thank you for all the information. I will definately make a list of questions that way when i go for my next doctors appt next week i will be able to find out what i want to know and hopefully not get too flustered.

I have nothing against being induced i just didn't understand why my consultant said that they would want to induce me first and see what happened but it was also likely i would end up having a CS anyway. Now it makes a little more sense.

Does anyone know what pain relief options i would have if i'm induced? Is the same options as a normal VB eg. Epidural, Spinals, Gas and Air etc?

OP posts:

breatheslowly · 23/02/2011 09:27

Yes - same options. I wanted an epidural before I was hooked up to the drip and was persuaded not to by a well meaning MW. I wish I had the epidural to begin with as once you do decide you want one you end up "on the list" and waiting for an anethesitist to become available. I then found it hard to stay still to have it done and this might be why it only worked on one side.

FruitSaladIsNotPudding · 23/02/2011 09:37

Don't take this the wrong way, but it sounds like you are panicking a bit about going through labour, especially an induced one, after 35wks of thinking you would have a cs. I don't blame you - most people have much longer to cope with the idea of labour and I think I would struggle with the idea in your shoes.

Maybe it would be a good idea to try and get your head around labour, and the pain involved, in case you do go through it. There are some good hynosis cds (I used the NCT birth preparation ones) and books which would help.

Ignore me if I am off the mark!

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