Elective C - section..Have you had one?

[pucca]

Any advice?

I will be having one with this baby, currently 24 weeks.

Consultant is wanting me to have one because i had a bad 3rd degree tear with my dd, and still have a few occasional problems down below, which they are on about fixing after this baby is born.

I am a bit scared of having a section, mainly being cut and the recoveryside of things so i am looking for any advice or experiences?

TIA

Did you research the hospital policy before transferring Maxipooh? Some will do it, some won't. Depends on who is in charge and how good a case you can make. One London teaching hospital is headed by a pro choice obstetrician, and if you make a good enough case (ie: quote his research back at him) you'll get one.

Thanks for responses,
I would rather have a cesarean as my mum still suffers at the age of 62 with vagianl problems and still tears everyday, she is at the doctors all the time and has recently have another minor op' to try to help, with results which have only made her worse, this had also had an enormous effect on her relationship with my father as anyone could imagine, my gran and auntie were all the same also big babies run in our family which would add the 3rd degree tears, I simply dont want this for myself and no doctor will change my mind. I would like to live a normal life after having a baby and enjoy a normal relationship with my partner, a consultant cannot guarantee I will not suffer the same as the females in my family and I will not put myself and my partner on the line, does anyone have any ideas of how much it might cost?

if i remember rightly it costs the NHS about £2000 for a section, dont know about private.

I respect your decision and you have to do what you want to do but i would do a little more research tbh, sections can also bring problems.

This is from an article published about 5 years ago, so will obviously be an underestimate: "A first birth at the Portland costs a minimum of £1,683, rising to £2,832 for an elective Caesarean. But that doesn't include the consultant's fees, which will add some £4,000 to the bill, and each extra night's stay, which will cost between £631 and £1,082, depending on the type of room and the sort of birth."

Thanks for quick replies, I have done alot of research on both modes of delivery just so I know what I am talking about and that I am fully informed of the risks when I see my consultant, there are also many benefits to not having a vaginal birth, vaginal birth can damage the pelvic floor and can leave you anally incontinent which is irrepairable, can and does cause incontinence to alot of women in later life, risks of 3rd and 4th degree tears, risks of broken pelvis or even other structures of the lower back, a baby who doesn't suffer the pain of childbirth has a reduced stress response, these factors amongst many and the fact that I see my mum suffer everyday is enough for me to want a cesarean, but unfortunately the mother is not given a choice because of the government overspend and attempts to make cut-backs, I personally think if the mother is well aware of the risks and has strong concerns then she should be given a choice, it is at the end of the day her body and not the body of the obstetrician, sorry to get on the soap box just feel very strongly about this but no one will listen to my concerns and all because of the government!!!!

Your mind is obviously made up. Where do you live? What hospital did you transfer from? What hospital did you transfer to?

I knew two women in my ante natal class who asked for sections and got them without any medical grounds.

I transfered from Whiston on Merseyside to Warrington, I've yet to see a consultant at warrington apt' next week, but I was basically told point blank at Whiston that a cesarean wouldn't be happening the consultant there also told if I wanted a second opinion at that hospital I would get the same answer and wouldn't discuss it with me any further, I was fuming when I got out just the fact that he wouldn't even listen to my concerns or give me any advice if that was the road I wanted to go down. So I have my fingers crossed for my apt' at Warrington.

I really do not know what to suggest, with me it was the opposite I wanted a vbac, they wanted to section me. Easy I just stay away from them.

Do you think you can save up to go privately??

It bloody infuriates me that bloody consultants will not listen to or discuss what Mum wants for her and her baby

I know exactly what you mean, feel as though no one listens I'm just another person having a baby to them but this is my first and I have so many concerns about natural birth that I really dont want to go there, I dont see why mothers cant have a choice if they have valid reasons, I know its all about cost to the government and they have made it almost impossible now to have a cesarean unless its on medical grounds. I am prepared for having to pay for it although was hoping wont be more than £2000, with our first baby on the way need all the money we can get as have just had to have our attic converted to make the extra room for the baby, so much expense!!!

I hope all goes well for you, enjoy your pregnancy.

Thanks although have had a few scares during pregnancy also with scans, not been good up to now I can only look forward to when baby is here.

You should put your desires in writing. Make it a formal request to the hospital (or Consultant). Give it to him/her at your appointment and make it clear you understand the risks and you really want a section. Write these preferences all over your maternity notes and birth plan (if you have one). After the the consultant writes his/her notes of the conversation in your maternity notes, add your own notes if you feel his/her notes are not a true reflection of the conversation. If they still won't give you a section, copy those note let them know you've copied the notes, and then ask them if they are really prepared to accept responsibility for any risks of a vaginal delivery because if you have to deliver vaginally it will have been their choice, not yours.

This is a very hard n osed approach and will certainly not befriend them. But, sounds like they are playing hardball with you. So, dish it back if you have to. Good luck, and keep us posted. We are here to spport you.

PS I had to fight for my second (elective) section so I speak from experience.

Also, check out your hospital on www.birthchoice.co.uk. I went to this website and specifically chose a hospital with a high section rate, hoping that that would mean they would be more willing to accommodate my wishes.

Just wanted to echo someone else's advice further down this topic - shave before you go in! I had a semi-elective section (they have to do it but they can keep you waiting until lunchtime) and the MW did it with a dry Bic. The itching this causes really isn't funny on a sore scar. You only need to go down about an inch - sorry if TMI.

Recovery has been fine - back walking next day, four weeks later pretty much back to normal apart from when walking up steep hills pushing the pram (not advised!)

I can help with the costs of a non-medically indicated section at the Portland. £5,325 for the first night (includes delivery), then £1,300 for each additional night. Doesn't include your private antenatal care (about £4k) or anaethetist (about £500) or paed charge (can't remember). Expensive. Mine is being paid for my BUPA thankfully!

x

Wow, think I'd stick with the NHS. Just stand up and demand it. Refuse vaginal birth full stop. What are they going to do if you won't push it out.

Yes, I had one. It was a very bad thing for me to have done. It really affected my bonding with my baby. I felt no sense of acheivment.
Booking to have one was like booking a hair dressing appointment. It wasn't right.
I am angry that the consultant made it so easy for me to do. I was too cowardly to try for a vbac. I would try and persuade any woman NOT to do it if there is no medical reason.
I have since had three vabacs and there is absolutely no comparison. Giving birth naturally is the most marvelous thing IMO. It is empowerment like nothing else. You are an active participant in your child's birth.
I have had an Em section too and although I felt very disappointed by this I understand that it was about saving my baby's life. The elective? That was about me, not about my baby and it was so totally the wrong thing for me to have done. I didn't feel I had had any part in birthing my baby.

BTW Pucca, I want to stress that having an elective for medical reasons is completely different in my eyes and should be seen as just as much a wonderful thing as giving birth the normal way. Good luck with everything.

my only regret with my elective CS with DS is that I didn't wander down to theatre with a 'too posh to push' t-shirt on

I simply said to the midwife at my booking in visit that I was having another. I didn't ask her advice as I knew the bullying for a VBAC would start.

Only 5 days to go, 5 days until I can have a big pee, bend over, ditch the Gaviscon, eat a huge meal

Highlander, I love the t-shirt idea. I think I'll get one made up!