Experiences of elective c sections (not interested in responses from the natural birth cult thanks! 😂)

[Lauratwelve]

Hiya ladies,

For those of you who have requested c-sections for your first. What are your experiences? I don't want to give birth vaginally so i'm just looking into requesting a c-section. I have nothing but respect for all woman and how they choose to give birth but vaginal delivery is just not for me. Ive had abdo surgery before so I know what to expect. Thanks guys 🌺🌸🌺

i thought OP was rude, other posters think i'm rude shrugs

anyway, i won't derail OP's thread any further. Hope you get the answers you want OP.

@Lauratwelve

These are all really understandable reasons. Do you have an obstetrician or only a midwife?

If you just have a midwife ask them to write in your notes that you are requesting a c section due to very traumatic personal experiences. Explain them to her.
It's really common to have an epiostomy. And it's grim. I have only heard horrible experiences about this. So I would explain them.
Then ask to be referred and explain them again to the obstetrician and also ask them to write in your notes. Then ask them to write to you confirming the c section and the date.
Make them agree to it. If they don't you need to demand to see another obstetrician
Go to the counsellor if they make you. You are entitled to have a c section if that's what you feel is best.

I had sex about 4/5 days after my c section. I was soooo horny! It must have been the hormones.

I didn't elect my first CS but with my second child I asked for one and I was met with no resistance at all. This has not been the experience of some of my friends who wanted and ECS first time. They were basically told no.

Mine was ‘elective’ the first time as she was breach - found out at a late scan. Wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but was such a relaxing experience that I chose to have one the second time round as well. Unlike a PP, I didn’t find the pain bad afterwards - took all the morphine they offered though! Bit of a pain not being able to drive, but it’s not actually the 6 weeks you’re told - it’s until you feel you could comfortably do an emergency stop. Don’t overdo the housework!

Think that’s all my advice for now!

OP was being rude.

Unless you have a psychiatric or serious physical condition, spending £40k of public money on a C-section that you want just because is unethical.

I had what they termed a 'semi-elective' c-section after a failed induction (which I knew wouldn't work as I hate hospitals, didn't sleep for days and felt bullied into agreeing to be induced). Do you want to know what the procedure is like or just how to make sure you can choose to have one?

CazY777 thanks for your reply. both please if you don't mind. Thank you 🌸

I had twins last year and was absolutely adamant I wanted a section as I was terrified about twin 2 turning and being stuck as soon as twin 1 was out. I asked early on, about 20 weeks and mw/consultant said we had plenty time to discuss is all. I asked again a few more times, the last time being at a scan when I was 34+5 and again the consultant said we had plenty time to arrange things. My twins were born 2 days later and I didn't get my section.

Don't get me wrong it all turned out absolutely fine, I was happy with my experience and all is well now but I was terrified my whole pregnancy. If you absolutely want a section then know your reasons and be prepared to stand up for yourself. Good luck!

April241 Thanks, i'm so glad everything turned out well for you!

MissUnderwood - I think in terms of cost it is around £300 difference between a vaginal birth and a planned c section, but an emergency section is more. It certainly isn't £40k for a section. That's absolutely ridiculous. More like £2500 compared to around £2200 for a VB.

OP - yes, you'll need to justify your decision to your consultant. Depending on who they are you may have a real battle on your hands, or it may be fairly simple. Anxiety is a reason to have a c section, but you may have to go through hoops while they try to eliminate your anxiety. Keep an open mind though. C-section is not without its issues and I have ongoing complications from my second.

Just do what you want OP and tell your midwife/gp. There is a NICE guideline about c section requests. Good luck.

Watching this as I will be having an elective section for first baby.

I just asked my midwife to refer me to the consultant and have an appointment at 14 weeks.

I plan to be firm about my choice and am aware of the nice guidelines. I will also take my husband who is totally supportive of my bodily autonomy and my choice and will be equally firm.

Laura if it helps I just said to the midwife I wanted to talk to an obstetrician about my birth choices, the midwife just said she would send the referral and the appointment came through.

All the best for your new baby.

t1mum3 thank you for your reply. Do you mind me asking, what issues you are having after you c section? Thank you 🌸

WrittenandGrown thank you for your advise xxx

usernameinfinito thank you so much 🌸🌸🌸

WrittenandGrown can I ask what reason you will be giving? Thanks 🌸

Oh here we go again, yet another person who’d rather have an ELCS as they are deems ‘easier’

I have had 2, first one was an emergency and second was planned (due to medical reasons not just because I didn’t want to give birth vaginally) they were both horrendous. Recovery period is months, the pain is terrible, you are limited in everything you do, even getting in and out of bed is a logistical nightmare. I get so fed up of people electing them for no good reason thinking they are easier than a vaginal birth

I don't have time to go into all the details right now, but just wanted to say that my ELCS was amazing. So relaxed and calm. Recovery time was almost nothing. And you are so much better prepared to take care of your baby after a good night of sleep instead of a day or more spent writhing in agony. I would do the elcs again in a heartbeat.

Keep in mind I am comparing it to horrible injuries from forceps the first time around which required 3 operations and 6 months to fix.

ELCS is so much more civilised and safer for you and baby. If you can do it you should!

ShuttyTown Elecs are slighlty safer for the baby than a vaginal birth. After loosing my baby this my main worry. But thanks for your comment...

Iwasjustabouttosaythat thank you so much for your reply. I've had abdo surgery so I know it's not a walk in the park. 🌸🌺🌸

@Lauratwelve

Your post of 13:20 would qualify you for applying under "maternal anxiety". Research this before you put it out there as it's such a generalised term plus you stand a high chance of being unfairly dismissed as "worrying over nothing" as there is no clinical need for you to go through a CS.

I could go on for England about why antenatal maternity care outcomes in this country are basically dependent on whether you "do as you are told" or not. But you will need to cling to your guns as at every turn you will have your fears ignored and attempt after attempt to dissuade you from an ELCS.

FYI I had an EMCS for #1 and ELCS for #2 as the odds of me having a successful VBAC were low. I had to battle like a demon to get what I wanted - and there was a strong body of evidence to show a VBAC would actually put me in danger!

Good luck OP. Hang on in there, you have s long frustrating ride ahead.

Ps: as long as you take it easy, take care of yourself and be careful recovery us more likely than not to be swift and successful.

TheLegendOfBeans Thank you so much. I find it hard to talk about openly (baby loss anxiety) without getting upset but I think I will need to otherwise I think i'll end up being bullied. Why are women bullied so much with childbirth. It's pure sexism!