Elective c section questions

[henryhsmum]

Hi,

I am considering having a 2nd DC but I am frightened by my past experience of childbirth- over 50 hours of labour, incl 5 hours of pushing ending up in emergency forceps. My baby was almost 10lb and lying back to back and given that I am 5'1" that made things extremely difficult. unfortunately he now has ADHD and autism which I feel are partly linked to his birth as he stopped breathing after delivery due to shock of the rough birth.

This time I definitely want a C section to give me control and also minimise pelvic floor injury and risk to baby.

I have a couple of questions :
Would I be likely to get a c section if I requested one?

What happens if the baby comes early- do they still give u a c section even if there are other emergencies on the day or will I be made to try naturally? Last time my birth plan was completely ignored as I said no forceps and proceed to c section instead but they had an emergency c section so put that above me!

Would welcome and advice and positive experiences!

I'll see if I can advise as best from what I know!!
I had a 9lb12 baby at term via emergency c section after 4 days of trying (and failing) to be induced via pessaries, waters broken and then the drip. She was induced early because I had polyhydramnios and she looked big. The emergency section was a lot of a relief when it happened.
Clearly my birth history was quite different to yours. I initially thought I'd try for a VBAC but after reading research about Macrosomia and with my past history wanted to avoid any trauma. Unfortunately (?) this baby isn't looking as big (I think because they have my dates wrong) and I don't have any of the associated medical conditions I ahd with my daughter so they were very reluctant for me to go for anything other than a VBAC. I had to really fight for a section and although it has now been agreed they will only put it down as an 'advised against maternal request'. I know someone else in a similar position at the same hospital who was less forceful and effectively bullied into a VBAC. So I think it all depends on who you see.... they generally won't take past birth experience as a factor, it just goes down as maternal request.
I've been told that if I go into labour before my elcs at 39 weeks I can either go for a vaginal birth (!) or insist on a section when I et to the delivery suite.
HTH

I think that is reassuring! I guess I just have to push for what I want. I am almost at the point of seeing if I could afford a private c section but it seems a waste of money when the NHS should provide it

surely they should make an emergency section a priority????

I had a similar experience to you - I was induced, it took forever, had an epidural, ds also op, failed ventouse, then forceps. I was cut and got a 3rd degree tear and lost a lot of blood. When I got pregnant again, I was referred to the consultant. She was brilliant, gave me all the options and risks. The main issue for me is the damage I did last time and that was their concern. They were perfectly happy for me to have an elective section and (although they don't advise it, it was implied that it wa a good idea). I'm 26 weeks pregnant now and due to see a consultant at 36 weeks to set a date.

It is worth reading the NICE guidelines on this - they were updated recently and are now slightly "friendlier" to women who request a C/S when there is no medical reason - this paragraph for example: For women requesting a CS, if after discussion and offer of support (including perinatal mental health support for women with anxiety about childbirth), a vaginal birth is still not an acceptable option, offer a planned CS. [new 2011] You will need to speak it through with someone though, it is unlikely they will simply accept your request and there are lots of good reasons for this. However I think ultimately it should be your choice.
If you were to go into labour naturally, and there was an emergency c/s, it's unkiley the emergency would go on so long - or your labour would be so short - that your baby would end up being born naturally. I am sure they would advice you to call the midwives if you did go into labour before your section date.

I am hoping I can cite the new NICE guidelines to my advantage! I do also have other factors such as post natal depression immediately after birth, mainly due to traumatic birth. Also I have a disabled child and I had seizures 3 months post birth do hopefully all those anxiety factors would weigh in favour of me having a c section