1st timer - ELCS?

[pinkhalf]

Hello, I am expecting my first baby in Feb. Generally pretty excited but I have a few anxieties at the moment. Baby healthy but I have placenta previa at 25 weeks. I think this means an ELCS unless it changes.

The problem is that I am getting more nerves about childbirth and what to do about VB or ELCS - my own mother had a terrible time when I was little giving birth. She had and my sister has urinary incontinence after childbirth. I'm worried that might be me. I've also been assessed as having possible PTSD (death of mother) and future PND. This is very hard to face.

I am trying to put a brave face on things and say everything will be fine and yes I should do things naturally and there won't be a problem. But that's not really how it is. I am pretty worried about these things and whether this will affect me and my baby. I haven't seen a consultant yet and I suppose I am avoiding thinking about childbirth but at 25 weeks I know I should be making decisions or informing myself better about these things?

Is there anyone out there who has a similar issue - I don't think I can face being told by the NHS I am fussing and it will all be fine. Should I even bring it up with a consultant or this not relevant to how I give birth?

Hey there,

I have a 'few issues' with the old fear of childbirth thing and tried to do as much reading up on it as I can to find out whats real risk and whats not. The problem is that there is a lot of nonsense out there and a lot of myth so sometimes trying to separate that is difficult.

I have similar logic about the idea that what happened to your sister and your mother will happen to you. I was surprised to learn that is not the case - in fact quite the opposite - that the birth experiences of your immediate family do not influence your own. It is influenced more by things like position of the baby and stuff like that.

In terms of urinary incontinence, having a CS does not necessarily prevent it. It can reduce the risk, but the belief is that the pregnancy itself can cause the problem rather than the method of birth.

It might be worth making a list of your concerns and worries and working out what are the biggest issues in your head so you can work out what you are most afraid of. Getting information about those things, might help reassure you or let you mentally prepare if you end up with a worst case situation. If you have a birth experience which you feel more able to cope with, you may be less likely to develop PND - there are no guarentees, but it might help and certainly can't hurt.

Given you have already been assessed with PTSD I would say its probably worthwhile mentioning it to your consultant. Having a history of anxiety is connected to a fear of childbirth - what you are feeling is completely understandable. In your case it might be relevant and appropriate for your consultant to refer you to a specialist or a midwife who can give you extra support. It may not be appropriate - but if you don't ask the question you won't know.

Pinkhalf - if your pregnancy is going well etc you ma not see your consultant at all. If you have concerns you need to get an appoitment with the consultant named in your notes. If your midwife wont make one for you then ring them direct and make one - DO NOT BE FOBBED OFF. You can then discuss things as it it only the consultant who can make decisions re CS etc. I would urge you to do this soonest though as the good old NHS doesn't always move very quickly :)

I'm in a similar situation - I have had serious anxiety problems in the past due to sudden loss of my father. It's on my notes as the midwife at my booking-in appt said childbirth can trigger any mental health issues like anxiety.

My baby is breech at 35 weeks and I know they are going to push me to have the ECV procedure to turn him round so that I can give birth vaginally. I am currently thinking I would much rather have an ELCS and the breech position is giving me a excuse reason that people can't argue with.

I have a scan next week and if he's still breech I have to see the consultant. I know the midwives will push me to have a vaginal delivery - they all seem very anti-CS - and I'm scared about putting across a request for a CS I haven't mentioned feeling anxious at any of my ante-natal appts so am worried they will push me to try for a vaginal birth. DH not really understanding my desire for a CS either, he is mr logical and thinks that vaginal delivery is safer for me and baby. I know it is, but it's the trauma and unpredictability that is scaring me.

It is likely that you will be rescanned nearer to you due date. Placenta's often move up as the uterus grows with the baby.

If you research the risks of CS for this and subsequent pregnancies, then you will understand why midwives will encourage you to have a vaginal birth.

Just to let you know also, just because you are assessed as high risk for PND this really doesn't necessarily mean you will get it! I suffered badly with antenatal depression, however I experienced no PND (my antenatal depression was caused by a combination of factors, some relating to the pregnancy, some unrelated external factors).

pinkhalf i just read your post and just had to reply.
i have 2 DS age 7 and 2. both were born by planned CS. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful obgyn who delivered them both. DS1 was breeched and so CS is safest. My experience with planned CS is one of calm. I agree that there is a risk as it is a major operation. the recovery took longer than a straightforward vaginal birth.
When i read about straightforward vaginal births, i do sometimes think whether i have missed out! but like all mothers will tell you, it is safety that is paramount here.
so i totally agree with chynah do no be foobed off by midwives! and insist on an appt with a consultant!
Hugos if your baby does not turn around, please insist on CS! is there anyway you can get a scan say at 38 weeks to be absolutely sure which presentation your baby is at?