Consultant meeting for an elective c-section | what to expect?

[bearymama]

Hi all,

I'm a first time mum due late August.
About 6 weeks ago I fell down the stairs and broke my coccyx bone, clean break.
I've been in a hell of a lot of pain for this entire time, getting better now but still painful and still not able to drive as cannot sit straight etc.

I have my first appointment with the consultant this week and I'm really Hoping for an elective c section.
The thought of giving birth vaginally in my situation is very scary, especially as I've read it's likely to re break if I were to try.

Any tips on what to expect from my first consultant meeting? I'm aware they will tell me the pros and cons of the surgery and that the recovery is much longer.
Any info much appreciated.

Thanks in advance x

Be very firm. Tell them that you will not consent to a vaginal birth. If they refuse you one, they must refer you to someone who will provide one. The main thing to remember is that they won't agree to it straight away (i.e. at this meeting). However, they will eventually agree to it.

@PramCush thank you for your reply.
I didn't realise they wouldn't be able to give me an answer at this appointment, is there a reason for that :)

Yes, they believe that if they discourage and delay, you will change your mind. I don't want you to worry: I promise you will get your c-section in the end, if you keep insisting.

There is a chance (if you get a sympathetic consultant) that they will agree at this meeting. I hope so!!

How many weeks are you?
Agree with Pram to be firm about what you want. A lot depends on the consultant, but there might be a few appointments about this.
I spend most of my second pregnancy (first was emcs) arguing for an elcs and it took ages. It was only signed off at 37 weeks. As you are further along I think you might get more luck and not such a drawn out process.

Definitely best to know what I'm up against so really appreciate the comments.
I'm 33 weeks this week and my midwife seemed to suggest it was my Body so therefore my choice but after my reading I've noticed a lot of people have had a real problem with getting their consultant to agree.

Thank you so much both!

My consultant was fine with elective with my second child (not engaging and following similar pattern to first baby she was EMCS)

Just do your research, tell them you've got a lot of time alone without much help from family and you can't afford to have that much pain and dysfunction due to coccyx being damaged during birth then tel them some stats you've seen - use a credible source though

Ok will do, thank you @flumpybear

You are not asking for permission to have a c-section. You have weighed up the pros and cons of various methods of birth and have determined that a c-section is the best birth method for you and your baby in your circumstances.

Be assertive. My consultant signed of my ELCS at 16 weeks he didn't try and change my mind, nor give me pros/cons, he respected my decision. If you know you want to have a c-section seeing the consultant is merely a formality in getting the birth of your choice.

Contrary to some of the posts on mumsnet most consultants respect a womans right to choose her birth method, I don't know anyone in real life who has been refused a ELCS.

Just to add as well as depending on the consultant it will depend on your NHS trust and their policy.
My first hospital were quite pro the mothers choice. My second hospital had a natural birth policy - on the first page of the hospital notes book and on their website. Hence all the hassle.
That being said everyone I met at the hospital had theirs signed off eventually. And as you're in the 3rd trimester there's less time as theyll probably sort it before 37 weeks so hopefully less stress for you

@SPARKS17 that's really reassuring, I would love to have had a natural birth but the chances of it going well are So slim and the pain I had when breaking my Coccyx was just Insane, I can't even contemplate looking after a baby in that agony for 12 weeks ( which is how long it takes to heal).

I'm going to go in strong and informed so that anything they bring up I will already know the information for it.
I'm sure they will understand I'm
Not taking this decision lightly, I'm am just thinking what is best for baby and myself.

Fingers crossed I get a nice understanding consultant, or hell may break loose 😂