ELCS or natural?

[TabloidTart]

Am in need of opinions... Have been told I have two placentas, connected by a small blood vessel, which could, theoretically, burst during labour. If this happens the baby wouldn't have much of a chance unless they could get it out within minutes. The risk of it happening, apparently, is only very small. I can't decide whether to go for a CS - which dox say they'd be happy to do - or a natural birth - which they say they'd be equally happy with. One doctor has said there's also a risk of a retained placenta, in which case they'd have to operate anyway so I may as well go for the CS. Another has said the natural way is preferable. Hence my dilemma.
DD1 was induced, ventouse, grade II tear...

Hmm a choice only you can make. I think if there are concerns over the safety of the baby I personally would go for a CS. However is it possible that once you go into labour you make sure you have an epidural so that if you do need a CS you are ready to go and they can get the baby out ASAP if something does go wrong?

Only do what you are happy with though and don't make your decision purely based on other peoples opinions as you may regret it later.

It's always difficult when the experts give different views isn't it?

Would these questions help?
Could the theoretical burst happen at any point of labour or only final stages (will you def have got to the hospital)?
If you choose natural are you guaranteed a midwife will stay with you at all times?
If you have to be rushed for a CS say 2am on a Sunday will there be a consultant actually on the spot or would they have to be bleeped in ? What if someone else having emergCS?

For me it would be about staffing levels/staff grades/how busy the ward is generally. But as you know it comes down to what you feel comfortable with. Good luck .

I think I'd go for a cs on the basis that if something went wrong I couldn't live with myself knowing I could have made the decision to avoid the problem.

I'm expecting ID twins and have been given the choice too - consultant was happy either way but with natural there is a high risk that the second baby would have to be cs anyway, so I've decided to keep stitches in one place with a cs rather than risk stitches down below too. (dd1 was quite a traumatic, fast birth)

But that is me, you need to look at all the facts the consultants give you (avoid Google - hard I know) and make an informed decision.

If it was me I'd have a CS - even though there is only a small chance it could happen, I wouldn't be able to relax during a normal delivery. And even with an emergency section, theatre being free, consultant on site etc it can still take a while to get going. I too would not be able to live with myself if anything happened.

I may have a skewed view however - we lost our son last year - he had an interuption to his blood supply during a NVD with devastating consequences and only lived for 2 weeks. It could not have been predicted or prevented. This time I am most def having an ELCS - no brainer really.

hi, I would have a C-section in your position. The risks sound so scary to me. I couldnt relax during labour fearing the worst.

However my opinion is currently predjuidiced because : - I am currently 34 weeks, with a breech baby and also a question mark over whether I have placenta accreta/morbid adherance of the placenta. (if this happens it usually requires manual removal of the placenta surgically so I would have to be cut anyway) My lovely consultant has said its OK to labour naturally with the precaution of a cannular being inserted, but the more I think about it the more I want an ELC.

I also had a traumatic first delivery (a "natural" home birth) during which the midwives told me that they could no longer find my son's heartbeat - a terrifying experience - (though unlike poor DCB my son was healthy and I am very thankful for that and am aware how lucky I am) and also a bad tear that gave me problems for a long time, and I was very distressed by. My pelvic floor isnt that great now either :(

My strong preference is for an ELC. I had nightmares for a year and cried for a long time about my son's birth and went over and over the events of my son's labour in my head for a couple of years after wards. I dont want to go through that again.

I know its the wrong attitude but I actually HOPE my baby stays breech and I can have a c-section. Im reluctant to have an ECV because of this.

I can't tell you what to do, and I can only say what I'd do based on the facts you have presented.

I'd have a section. Normally, with no complicating factors I'd have a natural delivery every time. But when those factors get involved and the balance shifts, I'd go for a section.

Thanks so much for all your thoughts. I think it's probably confirmed the way I was thinking anyway...