ELCS after EMCS

[blossombottom]

Evening,

I know I can discuss this with Midwife in a couple of weeks but am interested to know others' experiences.

DC2 was born by EMCS as I had placenta praevia. Am now pregnant again and wondering whether I'd stand any chance of having an elective this time around if I don't have placenta praevia again (which statistically I'm unlikely to... fingers crossed)

Unsure as to what kind of delivery I'd ultimately prefer and it's such early days etc, but interested to know whether electives are more easily approved if you've had EMCS / ELCS before.

Thanks

Once you've had a CS delivery you should automatically be referred to a consultant after booking in to discuss delivery. Usually you will be offered a choices clinic where midwives will talk you through the choice between an ELCS and a VBAC. It does seem to vary a lot between areas how the information will be presented. It can still be hard to get an elective approved but you are allowed to have one (NICE guidance here, section 1.2.9: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg132/chapter/1-Guidance#planned-cs)

I found it helpful to look on the RCOG website for more specific risks and benefits to each delivery type as well as looking up my local unit on Which? to check their VBAC success rates: www.which.co.uk/birth-choice/units

I don't know where you are in the country, but I'm in Cardiff and I faced no opposition whatsoever to an ELCS this time around. My first was an EMCS due to failure to progress and foetal distress. I was referred to a birth choices midwife who talked through the risks with me but said it was my choice. I also spoke to the consultant twice who also said it was entirely up to me, and when I said my mind was made up, she booked the date for me there and then. I think once you have had one CS they generally give you the option of having another one.

Thank you both, that's really really helpful advice.

It's very early days but right now my gut says ELCS.

When I had my emc I was telling my husband how we were never fucking doing it again and the midwife chipped in to say that I could just have an elective next time. Lucky she did otherwise we would never be fucking doing it again!

blonde you've made me laugh and reminded me that after DC2 was delivered and I was quietly relieved it was all over the surgeon turned to me and said: you have to let me deliver number 3 since I've done the first two now.

News to me that a third was even on the cards!