How did you get your ELCS?

[CloverHeart]

Just that really. Would love a step by step on how you got your elective c-section, if you are willing to share?

I know the process (see midwife, refer to consultant, have councelling, beat snotty registrar, back to consultant, booked in), but really need personal experiences.

Also, how did you put your point across? Did you write to them or write it all down and take it to an appointment? And why did you want one - previous birth, MH issues or just because?

Just to note, I have read up heavily on all the pros and cons surrounding c sections, NICE guidelines, statistics and so on. I am standing firm by my decision and certainly don't need to be convinced otherwise

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So as not to drip feed, I had what they would call a "perfect" natural birth with DS. No pain relief, no tears or complications, went in at 1am and had DS at 5:15am.

What they didn't note was the blood loss afterwards that left me severely anaemic, the fact that for 1 week I couldn't straighten from a crouched over position, even when sitting, and only finally straightened out after 2 weeks (which made bonding with DS incredibly difficult), the fact that after this I still couldn't sit properly.

During the labour my hips and pelvis (which are naturally very narrow) felt like they were about to snap and I have had ongoing issues ever since, which require regular physio and painkillers

I then developed PND which complicated bonding further and exasperated my pre-existing MH issues, which I was refered on to the absolutely useless.

I can't help OP, but if you have a search of the archives here, there was a really long running thread on obtaining a planned section that might help you?

Thanks Penguins I saw it mentioned in another thread but have yet to find it!

I'm sorry? You have had one? This is a second? Have you moved away from the area of the first?

I'm asking as nice clearly states that a elcs has to be offered if one has already occurred.

I also went heavily down the emotional distress route. I'm 37. After the debacle of my first csec emergency there was no way I was going natural. Not if Jesus satan and Buddha all became midwives.

It gets tricky if you've moved....

Sunny - No, the OP had a vaginal delivery first time.

Hi op at booking in I went into one about how I wanted to talk to someone about a section, this was at 8 weeks?

The mw put this down and I got an appt to meet a consultant at the hospital at maybe 20 ish weeks..I told her what happened to me last time, and after 40 mins of almost hysterical crying from me, she said no problems but meet a head MW to tal through any other options I might like.

Met MW didnt like any options, got ELC booked in.

I really do not think you will have any issues op.

Look at birth trauma websire too to educate yourself and perhaps get help for first birth issues.

Look at old threads on here too, lots of help

I had emergency CS with DD due to her being back to back and huuuge - I am only small framed, she was 8lb 4.

I had ELCS with DS as I knew 2nd baby was likely to be bigger and it would be my "first" natural birth and I just knew it wasn't going to be pleasant, if it was even possible. I was put under a fair bit of pressure from MW "you've never given it a try" "its different second time around" "birth will be quick and there are good pain relief methods" "better for baby, better recovery, better for you" etc.

Was referred to consultant who pressurised me too. I calmly told her I had thought it through, had researched pros and cons for both types of delivery, found that all of the cons for ELCS were about me and my recovery/future complications, and most of the pro's were for my child, with the exception of possible slight breathing problems in children of parents with a history of sthma/breathing problems. The consultant went through all of the cons of surgery, but told me that as I had considered it thoroughly, and had a good understanding of risks as well as benefits she was willing to offer me an ELCS.

I was asked on a few other occasions afterwards to change my mind but I stood firm.

It was the best delivery ever :)

Should have said, DS was 8lb 14 and not even remotely interested in being born when I had ELCS, lady who performed operation told me it was a good decision I'd made, because if we'd waited for DS to come out he would have been huge and she most likely would have met me on the operating table anyway.

They will probably dismiss you with the argument you have put forward. The key is to be persistent, and on top of that luck in having a sympathetic consultant.

Clover, all you'll need to do is tell the midwife (who you want to refer you) and then the consultant/registrar about the very difficult time you had after your first birth.
Be politely insistent and do not down play how horrendous your post birth experience was, particularly how you worried it made bonding hard.
That's what I did. No one argued with me, they agreed I'd had a rough time, asked if I was sure, then said yes.
I had even written a detailed account of my birthing experience and subsequent difficulties, in case I needed to wave it under anyone's nose. I didn't need to but having it ready made me feel prepared to fight my corner.
Good luck, but you shouldn't need it. Every woman has the right to request an elc if they think it's the best option for them.

Zumby, I realise my post made it sound like everyone should have a decent experience of this. Clearly I'm wrong, it's awful they were pressurising you.

Current guidelines are clear that we should be able to request elc, I guess we have to remind the healthcare people (who are no doubt under pressure to save money) of this.

I prepared myself by working through RCOG guidance (and took my heavily highlighted annotated copy with me to the consultant appointment) and discussed risks of VBAC and ELCS openly with him, both likelihood and impact, and options for risk reduction (e.g. I said I'd give VBAC a shot if they had wireless CTG allowing me to move around, whicht they didn't). Consultant was happy that I was making an informed decision and looked at the options, so gave me a date for the ELCS there and then.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/a1849354-Elective-C-Section-medical-non-medical-reasons
you are right, it is a lengthy process and one that isn't complete until 36 weeks.
I remember when I finally got my appointment in front of the consultant to get it all ok'ed. It felt like an exam and if I failed it there would be disastrous consquences, as in I completely fell to pieces and forgot absolutely everything.
However, the conversation that I had previously with the midwife and the mental health team was all recorded well enough for it not to matter.
The most important thing is to state your case so they can see you understand the risks involved and why you want to have one.
If I would do it again I would make sure i had my reasons written down a bit better and wasn't so nervous about it. but that i think added to my case...

Be honest about your concerns, they're very valid. Tell them what happened post natally previously, especially the pnd and how it effected the bond with your baby. If previous events are going to make you very anxious during your current pregnancy/labour, tell them this.

I think I saw three separate obstetricians and then a specialist midwife counsellor. (One of the regular midwives referred me at around 24 weeks when I said I was feeling very anxious about the birth, she suggested talking through my concerns with one of the obstetricians).

Everyone I saw was sympathetic, they were very honest with me about the various levels of intervention that could take place during a VB and that the couldn't guarantee none of these things might happen, no matter how many antenatal classes I went to or how much I tried to prepare. This helped me make my decision.

Contrary to other posters I didn't refer to the NICE guidelines but I think thats because I was lucky enough to have a very sympathetic hearing. I was looking to the hospital to help me make a decision rather than specifically asking for a ELCS and it never felt adversarial.

It was suggested to me. I am tiny. The baby was obviously big (9lbs). During the process the consultant out his head over the barrier and said 'you made the right decision'. I would say however you can have extreme blood loss with an ELCS too.

Ah, fab. I think Peeapod found the thread I was thinking of. Hope it helps.

Thank you all. I am working right now so will reply properly later.

Thanks for the link peeapod, very VERY useful info and have copied a few bits down about risks and benefits. Think it makes sense if I document all my fears so I have them straight in my head (and on paper if I need it ) for appointments etc.

MillionPramMiles Thats what i needed to hear. I had a little doubt about weather or not my reasoning was truly valid. Has helped to hear it third party :)

So far the maternity services here have been absolutely wonderful and the consultants at NNUH are so very kind and understanding, so with any luck they will take my views into account and allow me my requested birth!

Ok, so I've written up a list of the risks and benefits and my response to them. For example:

"Pain

You will feel pain for a while after the operation and it will take longer to recover. You'll probably feel pain in your wound and discomfort in your tummy for a few weeks after the operation.

The pain from c-section will be managed with appropriate pain relief, both during and afterwards, something which was outright denied during my previous labour and not offered after my vaginal birth."

Under one of the advantages about incontinence, prolapse and tears I mentioned that I knew it didn't guarantee an unaffected fanjo and I am hot on my pelvic floor exercise to prevent this.

I have also written a small paragraph about my reasons:

After finding my first birth particularly physically traumatic and distressing (even though others may disagree) I developed Post-natal Depression, which not only affected my pre-existing mental health issues but also affected my ability to bond with my son. The physical recovery time, in total, was around 2 months after which I experienced ongoing problems with my hips and ribcage. Taking my mental wellbeing into consideration, my overall recovery time extended past a year and a half – after which I still require ongoing mental health reviews, CBT and medication.

I will let you know how it goes. I am emailing my consultant today to arrange an appointment and a chat about it.

Hoping that the above also helps others out with their requests! If anyone wants to PM me for more info let me know!

and your pain relief will be able to be more controlled...

With my first my placenta started to break away, ended up needing a crash section. Fell pregnant again, had my 12 week scan on the Monday, saw the same consultant who looked after us the first time, she booked me straight in for a ELCS. That was it !!