Elective Cesarean

[Cocobean1]

Hi,

I have just found out I am pregnant with my first baby. I have read/heard alot in the news recently about elective cesarean and a new move to allow women to choose this as a childbirth option. I have looked this up on the internet but there is limited information about this as well as plenty of reasons why this can be a more difficult birth option. Furthermore there doesn't seem to be any useful information about allowing first time mums to choose elective cesarean as a birth planning option.

My question is: Does anybody know how I would go about choosing a cesarean section for my first birth plan. (Before I discuss birthing plans with my midwife I would like to have every and all information at my fingertips as I want to be sure about what I need to ask for.) Also can anybody tell me if I go privately is this something that I can more easily achieve?

I am aware I sound like a complete coward however I am genuinely petrified by the idea of an natural labour.

I would be grateful for any advise or information anybody out there may have regarding getting an elective cesarean

Many Thanks

[shagmundfreud]

iLoveddinosaurs - I think your post of 17.55 is very helpful and interesting. Would want to add to though that elcs appears as safe as planned vb based on the assumption that on average 14% of planned vb's end in an emergency c/s. And actually - looking at healthy first time mothers only, the unplanned c/s rate is only half that if you opt to give birth in a midwife led unit. For this group of women planned vb is surely safer than a planned elcs?

[ILoveDinosaurs]

Haniel, if its right for you don't worry about.

I'm not sure if you've ever heard about the rates of obstetricians who opt for a ELCS based on the influence of having worked in a maternity unit and the impact it has on their thinking.

Have a red of this article from the guardian from a few years ago.
www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/jul/11/nhs.health1

You certainly aren't alone in your own personal anxiety.

Whether or not obs have a very distorted picture of childbirth due to working in a hospital which deals with higher risk pregnancies than a MLU (and in the case of obs being called only where there is a real problem) or whether it is 'the reality' as the headline suggest is very much open to debate.

I really wouldn't worry about being judged by others you work with. If anything, it would be good for them to get an understanding of anxiety. If they call you pathetic, they really don't understand an real issue and that speaks poorly of them, not you.

Only you can make that decision - don't be influenced by either your mother or your colleagues.

[ILoveDinosaurs]

shagmund, the data from that recent place of birth study, is definitely worth considering in the context of looking at an ELCS and fear of childbirth. The fact there are such differences in outcomes for mothers is important if someone is afraid of certain things.

I really think that if you have a birth phobia, you really have to sit down and write out what your biggest concerns before making a decision as its the only way you can really work out what is most important to you and how you really feel about everything.

I'm not sure the NICE guidelines cover everything at all. They are good, but I do feel they think there are holes in it and thats just as bad as preventing women from having an ELCS if they feel thats right for them.

I think its very easy to get overloaded on the subject, or get sucked into finding information to back up your original point of view rather than looking with your eyes open to the alternatives or possible negative outcomes too.

The comments various previous MN posters have made on old threads about their personal experiences have been very interesting. I'd say if you have the time and inclination it probably is worth doing a search for old threads on ELCS and having a look.

[Arranoxford]

I had a c section first time and am pregnant again. The risk for further pregancy is placenta acreta. Which is when the placenta attaches to the c section scar. I have just been given the all clear for this but nobody told me about this the first time around.
I will probably have to have another c section unless I go into labour before week 40.

You could insist on a consultant lead service with an epidural which removes the pain.
All the best and good luck.