elective c section with 1st baby

[william0775]

Hi, I'm wondering if it is likely they will allow an elective c section under general with my 1st baby. The reasons for this are mental health issues relating to obsessive compulsive disorder/health anxiety which has affected me for the last 8 yrs. I am fearful of cross contamination and damage to the vagina anyway, nevermind in childbirth. I have had several sessions of cbt over the yrs and I am currently undergoing more cognitive behavioural therapy at the moment. I have tried hypnotherapy too which helped a lot but is by no means a cure to my issues. On top of all this I have a severe back injury that I manage on a daily basis with exercise. This is the main reason I don't want a spinal or epidural during a c section. I am booked in to have a chat with a consultant but have a feeling they will just try to talk me out of it as its major abdominal surgery. I am worried that if I have a tramatic vaginal birth then my ocd will get worse & increase my checking & have a detrimental affect on my mental health. It's quite a miracle I've managed to have a normal relationship & conceive considering how severe my ocd is. Is there anything anyone can recommend for me to say to support my case?

Thanks.

I'm having an elective c-section with my first because of my bad back.
Though I don't think it will be under general, but if your back issue is bad enough I'm sure they'll take that into consideration.

Depending on what is wrong with your back, that alone should be enough to allow you have a c-section, so hopefully that will reduce your stress levels a little.
Good luck.

Thanks for that will see what they say.

I hope you get a kind and understanding midwife/consultant.
Are you having your baby with the NHS? Is private an option if they don't support you?

I think you need to really play the mental health card. The fact that you have already had lots of help with this shows that you have put lots of work into addressing it, which will be in your favour.

Bear in mind however that you will get back to exercise far quicker if you have a vb (assuming it goes quickly). If you are relying on core strength to support your back, be warned, it takes a long long time to recover after a CS, months.

If you really do want a CS (I've had 2, they were great), a spinal means that you meet and cuddle your baby much sooner. And you recover faster than with a GA. it's also safer for baby and for you, and means your dp can be there. you should speak to a consultant anaesthetist.

Generally what I have found is that most consultants and midwives really just want you to feel comfortable, as far as possible.

I chose a CS for a combination of reasons, and this is my first baby. They can arrange for you to speak to anyone you need to in advance to help you. Make sure they are fully aware of what you have described in your post, these are solid reasons why a CS would be better for you.

There would be nothing to gain by encouraging you to give birth naturally if it would be so traumatic for you, that wouldn't do you or your baby any good at all.

Do your research, be prepared to discuss it as they will want to see that you understand what you are asking for before they agree.

I hope it all goes well for you.

I think you need to be referred to a midwife and obstetrician who specialise in perinatal mental health, as you will really benefit from having continuous care from one understanding person throughout your pregnancy. In our area many women with mental health issues are referred to a caseloading team. This would probably be best for you.

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Thanks everyone for your advice.

I can totally understand your reasons for wanting a planned section. Do you have advice from whoever is looking after your back (GP? Specialist?) on having a general?

In my (very, very limited) experience it is a general which they try to avoid if at all possible. It means that neither parent gets to see their child being born, which obviously you accept if you have to but isn't generally the preference. I'd expect that they'd really want to explore this with the anaesthetist, etc before deciding on that bit. Doesn't mean it won't happen if you need it to, but they are likely to want to explore all avenues.

If the general is also for mental health reasons then obviously that is a different issue.

Good luck. xx

Thanks that's helped. I know they try & avoid generals as there is more risk to the baby. I suppose I need to find out what those risks are & weigh it all up as there's risks with childbirth in general natural or c section. Don't think I thought it all through properly before getting pregnant & now I'm feeling trapped not knowing which route to go down.

Thanks everyone for your advice its much appreciated.