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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

elective cs - demanding one

15 replies

humfrey · 12/09/2006 17:59

I rarely post on mn, but would love reassurance. My last baby was breech and I was booked in for an elective cs, but went into labour very fast the day before the cs was due and so ended up having a very fast emergency cs, which involved a general anaesthetic and some very scary stuff I won't bore you with. Anyway, after a lifetime of back problems which i have finally got round to getting specialist help for have been told by a couple of chiropractors that there's no way I should ever have considered an active birth at all as apparently my pelvis is a weird shape and natural birth could do terrible damage to my back. So - may sound like a silly question - but will this be enough to get me an elective c section when/if am lucky enough to get pregnant again (trying now). You hear all these horror stories about midwives/consultants telling you not to be such a wussy and grit your teeth and beat it. Believe me, I've had one cs and it was not a pleasant experience and I would prefer an active birth but not if my back is going to be damaged for life (and labour proves so hard I probably end up having an emergency cs anyway). Am I worrying unnecessarily or will I have to fight my corner to have the birth I want. Thank you

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motherinferior · 12/09/2006 18:00

I think they'll probably be very happy to offer you one, I really do. Good luck!

mazzystar · 12/09/2006 18:04

I think that simply because you have already had a CS they will offer you the option of an elective anyway, not even taking into consideration your back problems.

I think lots of midwives are proactive in encouraging women to try for VBAC, mainly because until recently women really had to fight to get this option, but a good one will support whatever decision you make.

Good luck!

sorrell · 12/09/2006 18:11

Yup previous cs reason for second - however, I wouldn't really trust a chiropractor's opinion as gospel.

MoreTeaAnyone · 12/09/2006 18:15

I had to fight my corner to get an elective the second time round. I'm really glad I did it as dd2 was breech and no-one knew. I fought for it because of complications first time round. My consultant wasn't happy but I kept on at my midwife. I felt justified in the end because baby was breech.

Original poster

humfrey · 12/09/2006 18:28

Thanks everyone - moretea what form did your badgering consist of? As for not taking chiropractor's word as gospel, fair enough, but I know enough about my back now to see why labour would be difficult and I would spend the whole pregnancy stressed that they were right in their predictions and I was going to having a nightmarish delivery, so would rather just straight for the c-section and save all the worry - you have enough of your plate when pregnant anyway! Thanks again

OP posts:

spinach · 12/09/2006 18:41

i had elective for spinal problems too.... i wouldnt mention chiropracter, tell them it was a consultant who advised you....

Toady · 13/09/2006 14:21

I wanted a VBAC2 and was really worried about fighting my corner but then just realised it was my right. I just told them and refused to discuss it with them.

Surely this would be the same for you or can they simply refuse. I am sure though saying that there wont be a problem.

redzuleika · 13/09/2006 14:54

I think that your previous CS is grounds enough for electing for a CS the second time round.

I believe (if I understand the NICE guidelines correctly) that a consultant is not OBLIGED to do a CS, but they must give you the option of a referral to another hospital, if they disagree.

I think it would be unlikely, in the circumstances, that they would refuse anyway.

CurrantBun · 13/09/2006 14:55

Could you get it in writing from chiropractor or better yet, a specialist? Then you could just produce the letter which could be kept with your maternity notes and everyone would be aware of the situation.

zippy539 · 13/09/2006 14:57

I wanted a second section after emergency one with ds and although the consultant was very por-vbac and wanted me to try, she did agree to my request. Okay, I had to burst into tears during the consultation but it wasn't any problem. As everyone else has said, I think having had a section with number one, an elective is an option.

zippy539 · 13/09/2006 14:57

pro-vbac. Obviously...

CHOCOLATEPEANUT · 13/09/2006 21:42

I demanded elective, said it was my right.The consultant was a COW.

but i got it.I said I was not leaving hosp till she signed form.

dd1 foot was in ribcage and had split intercostal muscles, i was in terrible pain and she said you will know what pain is when you go in labour!! (i have since been in labour and the rib pain was as bad)

Rochwen · 14/09/2006 15:50

Does anybody know what the default is after a previous c/s. Is it automatically a section or a vbac? Or can you simply choose?

anniediv · 14/09/2006 15:53

You can choose. I had normal delivery with dd1, then section with dd2. They offered (and had booked me) a section for dd3 but I had a vbac instead. They were happy to support either, as there was no clinical reason to have section with dd3, they thought I might have preferred it.

Rochwen · 14/09/2006 15:58

Sorry I should have added 'in the UK' as different countries probably have different guidelines.

I just want to know if they simply give you a choice of if you have to 'fight' for a c/s.

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