Chronic Pain - Elective C-Section

[squeaky123]

Hi ladies,
I'm a long-time chronic pain sufferer. My husband and I want to have a baby, but I've been putting off the idea because of my constant chronic pain. I am seeing a psychologist for help and my GP says she will write a letter insisting that I need to get an elective caesarean section. My psychologist also recommends this and is willing to help me.
I have been told to find out which UK NHS trusts/hospitals and obstetricians are more likely to allow you to have an elective caesarean section in SW London. I am nearest Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
Please spare me the stories of what happens in natural childbirth and caesareans. I am well versed in both and it really is not a choice for me.
I appreciate any help I can get!

Contact birthrights-they are putting together a list of places who are willing to consider ELCS xx

I had a planned section at the C&W - it was wonderful.

I'd advise making an appointment with a consultant as soon as you can. I had a medical reason for the section but it was ambiguous inasmuch as the consultant felt vaginal birth would be perfectly possible but both my orthopaedic surgeon and the medics in my family thought that trying for vaginal birth would be lunacy. The consultant was happy to take my word for it, essentially - I made it clear I'd done my research and had made an informed decision, informed in part by medical advice from elsewhere. I was seen again about 16 weeks later (34 weeks) to reassess and confirm that I wished to go ahead with the ELCS (I did).

The birth was magical. I've seldom felt so chuffed with a decision I've made, in honesty!

Not trying to put you off a section, but I’ve had a vaginal birth and a EMCS and in terms of pain and recovery I’d take the vaginal birth any day of the week.
After my CS I was in bits for weeks; couldn’t lift anything, took ages to get out of bed, couldn’t even make dinner. It is major abdominal surgery. Felt almost back to normal the day after my vaginal birth.
It’s a deeply personal choice and thank goodness you live in a country where you can make that choice. No birth choice is easy and I hope you get what you want.

Hi mouseclogs,

Thank you for the useful info. How do you make an appointment with the consultant? I've been told you need to g through 2 midwife appointments before you can see a consultant. Can you go direct?

Laney79,
Thank you! This is really useful.

In contrast to mogulfield, my ELCS led to a far better recovery than my natural birth. Not all natural births are easy.

Anyway, I had an ELCS at a hospital in the mid-Essex trust, so probably too far for you. My reason was that my mental health would not tolerate another 'natural' birth. I spoke to two doctors and a specialist midwife, all of whom listened to me and took me seriously. They explained the risks specific to ELCS but stressed that it was my decision. No one ever tried to persuade me to go naturally. I expected a battle but didn't get one.

NICE guidelines state that you can have an ELCS. I would make your intentions clear early on but be prepared to wait - at my hospital ELCS decisions aren't 'signed off' until 36 weeks so there is a period of uncertainty.

Good luck!

Hi op, I have had 2 emergency c sections due to failure to progress. I still don't feel I have every fully recovered from them, I still had some nerve type pain/numbness before I had dc 2, and that was 4 years since my first section. It's now 2.5 years since my last, and again I still have the nerve pain/numbness. If I've been doing any lifting I certainly feel the strain the next day, which is becoming a daily occurrence constantly lifting a toddler! If you can, I would try for a natural birth.

@divafever

Planned and emergency sections are very different. And not all natural births are easy. I've never fully recovered from the birth injuries sustained during my natural birth almost 4 years ago. I've since had a section and completely recovered from that.

OP has been recommended a section by GP and pyschologist.