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

Original poster

Elective c section reasons

50 replies

nutelladipper · 17/01/2015 08:39

Hi what reasons did anyone have for elective c section other than having previously had one? Did you have to really fight for it too?

Cheers

OP posts:
SquidgyMaltLoaf · 17/01/2015 11:12

Watching with interest as I had an horrific first experience which resulted in PTSD so am considering this...

Original poster
nutelladipper · 17/01/2015 15:08

Poor you!
I've had two horrible assisted deliveries - two episiotomy and two tears. I'm like a road map below. Horrible. This is my last baby so really want a positive experience!

OP posts:
mrsnec · 17/01/2015 15:21

Hi,

There were a few factors in my case. But I'm not in the UK. Here one of my doctors was going to do it just because of my age. I'm only 36!

But it was my 3rd pregnancy. The only one I have carried to term. I have had previous abdominal surgery with a lot of scar tissue and also had an mc a year before my due date so they took my medical history into consideration.

Also there was a concern about cpd and low placenta and I was born with forceps.

I was also being monitored for gd and pe.

One of my doctors was still trying to talk me out of it.

In the end I booked the date as close to my due date as possible and told them I would try naturally if I went into labour before then. I went in for my pre-op assessment and they did an emcs there and then at 39+2 because she was breech and the consultant saw my file and decided it was for the best.

GlitzAndGigglesx · 17/01/2015 15:26

I'll be watching! My reason for wanting one sounds stupid against others. I'm pg with twins and absolutely shitting myself about the pain of delivering 2 babies one after the other and possibly tearing. The thought seriously terrifies me

SummerSazz · 17/01/2015 15:29

I had placenta praevia with dd1 and a CS because of this. Given open choice to have second CS or try naturally. I went for 2nd CS and didn't have to justify my decision in any way.

WhyOWhyWouldYou · 17/01/2015 16:11

I had numerous reasons, all medical but non of which were enough on their own to automatically get a c section.

I read the NICE guidelines on C Section (you don't actually need a reason other than I want one, so long as you understand the risks), wrote all my reasons down and went ready to argue if they said no.

At my 20 week consultant appointment, I said I want a c section because .... the registrar said I'd have to meet the consultant at my 28 week appointment.

At my 28week apointment I went through all my reasons with the actual consultant. He talked me through risks and made it clear he though vaginal birth best unless a life in danger. I said I still want a c section and am certain its the right choice for me. He just said ok, we'll give you a date at 34week appointment.

34week appoint they just said "do you still want c section?", I said yes and they got the diary out and booked me in.

I think if its anxiety based you have to jump through more hoops to get one because you have to have counselling first.

Olivo · 17/01/2015 16:16

I wanted a cs anyway after a traumatic first birth where DD was v poorly (but fine now). They were reluctant, but it was GD and polyhydramnios which got me the elec cs I wanted! As Dd2 was my final baby, it was really important to me to have. Positive birth experience and I got it even though it might not seem so to some Smile

GillSans · 17/01/2015 16:26

I had a crash section with my first because of placental abruption. No one could guarantee it wouldn't happen again during labour, so I had a planned section.

Justtoobad · 17/01/2015 17:04

I asked for an elective CS with my first and only baby 2 years ago - not on medical grounds, I wrote a 2 page letter, and every time someone asked (doctors,nurses etc) I just gave them the letter.
Midwife was brill my consultant understood, hospital brilliant.
Family and friends didn't know but were brill after the event and understood.
I'm a normal (if that's the right word) person and not had any previous mental health problems.
Had a good husband to help after birth with lifting etc

Original poster
nutelladipper · 17/01/2015 17:08

Thanks all. I feel I need to write a list to support my argument!

OP posts:
bettyboop1970 · 17/01/2015 17:25

Glitz - congrats, I had emsc with my twins as twin one breach. If I were you I'd fight like fury to have cs. Harass your consultant at every appointment. Good luck!

GlitzAndGigglesx · 17/01/2015 20:38

Thanks bettyboop I'm a twin myself and was breech but my mum delivered me naturally feet first Shock. It's putting me off big time! I'll have to do as you say and bother them at every visit!

Turquoisetamborine · 17/01/2015 21:49

I had an EMCS under general anaesthetic when they realised my labour was never going to progress. I have a unicornate uterus (half a womb) and I pushed and pushed and he was never going to come out. They said we both would have died without a CS.
I insisted on a second CS this time and had no arguments.

bettyboop1970 · 17/01/2015 22:46

Glitz- your poor mum. I bet if men gave birth cs would be standard. It is wrong that women have to fight for one.

OrangesJuicyOranges · 17/01/2015 23:32

I've just had my section. I had obstetric cholestasis which means baby should be born at 37 weeks to be safe. I couldn't bear the thought of an induction so early. I had to fight hard to get a section. It was horrible. But I don't regret it and every midwife has backed my decision 100% even though the consultants didn't.

Appin · 17/01/2015 23:40

I had a third degree year with my first delivery, by forceps. Stitches 'came away' and I was just left to heal, which I did badly. In my second pregnancy I was told by one midwife early on that I should have a section, but then at 36 weeks another midwife said it was like spilling wine on the carpet, once youve spilt one glass you should chuck another one after it and claim a new one on the insurance. Meaning that I should tear again and have surgery, which I might need anyway. Er, no thanks! I couldn't agree with her point of view, so asked consultant for section and was booked in the next day for a section at 39 weeks. I've since discovered through investigations that my sphincter muscle is 60% missing due to the first delivery, so I'm very glad I didn't decide just to let it all tear again.

salvadory · 17/01/2015 23:48

I had an elcs with my second 2 years after my first pregnancy resulted in an emcs.
I never once saw a consultant just explained to the registrar that I didn't want to be induced again and if I got to my due date without going into labour I wanted a section.
They explained the risks briefly (but as I'd anticipated more resistance I'd done a lot of reading and informed myself prior to the appointment).
My elcs was booked for a week after my due date to give me time to go into non induced labour which didn't happen.
I had a really lovely delivery by elcs, calm and so much nicer than the emcs with my first..
My advice is just to be confident when requesting one and not to take no for an answer (easy for me to say I suppose when I didn't meet Witt much resistance).
Good luck.

Original poster
nutelladipper · 18/01/2015 08:13

Thanks all.
Salvadory can you recommend what I should read? I feel I need to do more research.

OP posts:
marshmallowpies · 18/01/2015 08:22

My DD1 was breech so I had a planned section. Now 37 weeks with DD2 and she is currently head down but with her hand above her head so it doesn't look like the head will properly engage.

This gives me a risk of cord prolapse so I've already been told I can have an elective section with no questions asked.

makesomenoise · 18/01/2015 08:24

I had Elcs after a 3rd deg tear with dd1. Had appointment with consultant to agree and went in armed with NICE guidelines but no need, he was understanding and no issues at all. With dc3, booked in for Elcs due to prev Cs and original issue.

SomewhereIBelong · 18/01/2015 08:26

Be aware it doesn't always happen that way though... I was booked in for mine, but due to DD2 arriving a week earlier than the booked date and a high number of twin deliveries needing the consultant and anaesthetist at the same time I went in, it was a case of just get on with it....

MERLYPUSSEDOFF · 18/01/2015 10:53

I was booked for EL C sect because I was 42, twins, 1st preg and epileptic.
Had emm C sect due to pre-eclampsia.

Original poster
nutelladipper · 18/01/2015 11:38

Thanks all. Think I have a lot of ready/thinking to do.

OP posts:
WhyOWhyWouldYou · 18/01/2015 11:58

NICE guidelines have info on risks and benefits in the guidelines so read that. Also bear in mind data on CS often refers to both emcs and elcs - obviously elcs is normally a bit safer/less risky than emcs. Also there's no split in ELCS data to show if there was a medical reason that required cs delivery, that would also increase risks of complications and thus skew data.

Jenjen3657 · 19/01/2015 19:41

I had my ELCS on 17th December. I had it on ground of a previous back injury 7 years ado, I have 2 slightly ruptured doscs in my lower back and I personally felt a natural labour wod put to much pressure on my back/nerves. I didn't fight particularly hard I googled c section procedures, watched them on YouTube, -and done a lot of research on recovery. Whe I put it to my midwife she agreed I was educated enough to make a decision best for me. I put it to the obstatrition who didn't agree and referred me to aneathatist who said I was able to have an epidural or spinal so a natural labour was more than do able, I went back to my obstatrition and I put my foot down. Ok is my body and I knew my mind. I researched both types of birth and decided I wanted the section. Once I explained that I knew the risks. Recovery, procedure and all aspects of it the obstatrition agreed.

Wasn't a particularly hard fight just make sure you know all the possible outcomes, risks and the recovery process.

I have my section 5 week on Wednesday. I was up and showering on my own 7 hours post op. Home 48 hours later and out walking pushing the pram on the Sunday after the op on the Wednesday. My would has healed beautifully and I stopped pain relief 7 days post op.

I know not everybody has this recovery but I had a very positive experience with both the op and the recovery. I put a lot of that down to getting up and moving about as soon as I felt able, and having done my research!

All the best what ever the outcome for you xx

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