Planned c section - confused after consultant meeting- any advise please?

[BabloHoney]

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced similar? Currently 28 weeks pregnant with baby number 2. First birth was a terrifying emergency c section 5 years ago. From the very start of this pregnancy I’ve been really clear I’d like a planned c section this time (I have my reasons). I’ve had 3 midwife appointments about it and have generally been led to believe that my decision will be supported.

I had an appointment yesterday with a consultant, hoping it would be to confirm the section and the date, but the meeting was really vague (he clearly hadn’t read my notes) and non committal, and although he didn’t try and deter me, he wouldn’t discuss booking the section in either.

He booked me to come back in and see a different consultant when I’ll be 36 weeks and has written in my notes “please discuss delivery. Would prefer c section”. I’m now really anxious that 36 weeks is very late to still be having meetings about delivery options and I’m also frustrated with myself that I didn’t push more firmly yesterday to have the section confirmed. I’m not sure if I should try and get another meeting in before, or if I should just go to the 36 week consultation and be firm that I’d like the section confirmed and booked then? If anyone has any advise or words of wisdom I’d be really grateful as I’m feeling super worried that they might be fobbing me off a bit... thank you wise people of mumsnet.

28 weeks seems early to be booked in for a section. Going by my due in group anyone who has got a date for a planned section has been at 34/35/36 consultant appointments

36 weeks is the appointment they discuss delivery and book the section. Don’t worry.

I had two elective c sections without what a consultant would probably consider as good a reason as you. The first time was 11 years ago when it wasn’t really the done thing and that took a lot of jumping through hoops and digging my heels in, my midwife was incredibly supportive though so definitely talk to yours! This time around it was a lot easier but I know that might vary depending on your NHS trust- the best thing to do I think is just to speak to your midwife about it as much as possible and make it clear that you won’t consider any other option. I’m so sorry you have to wait until 36 weeks to discuss it with a Consultant again- it’s probably a good idea to tell your midwife how distressing you are finding things without a birth plan in place. Please PM me if you want any more information about this.

By the way I was booked in for my second section before 20 weeks!

I had something similar written in my notes when I went to ask for a section after a previous emcs. At the 36week they just asked again I was sure I wanted another section and then confirmed it. Said it would be at some point in week 39. I got a phone call at 38+9, booked in for 39+2

My 28 week consultant appointment was pretty vague too. I think on the whole it’s just a check if you need anything, set out how many times to see you and get to know you visit and then closer to birth time you discuss delivery options..... my 34 week one is today so I shall tell you if my theory is correct later

Ok, in some trusts they will see you had a previous CS and just automatically think you’re going to have another one but that’s rare.

As a PP said 36 weeks is the normal time they will discuss options and (I hope) book you in.

I had to deal with a bullshit consultant who refused to book me in at 36 so hell bent she was in being convinced I’d go for VBAC with my second. Finally saw someone else at 38w and delivered at 39.

From what you have written even though your consultant was mumbly, if you’re not getting pushback at this stage it’s likely they’ll just say “ok” and book you in at the 36w appointment.

They will go over what happened first time out, what week you delivered at and the circumstances around why the CS was an emergency.

This could influence how much agency you have over “choosing” when to deliver or - in the slim event you were open to a VBAC - how.

You seem pretty clear what you want. Take a note in with you with 4 bullet points on as to why you want this CS as it’s easy to lose the thread of thought when bamboozled by consultantspeak.

Anyway don’t worry, long time to go, stay cool and think positive.

I want an elective c section after a third degree tear with my first birth. I had a registrar appt at 25 weeks to discuss options then I’m back at 35 to actually confirm and book it. We did discuss other options at the registrar appt but I said I was almost set on a c section and I was given the second appt.

I suspect you'll need to be a bit more pushy if you want to be sure you'll get one. I had an elective one with my eldest when they'd just changed the guidelines- I was sure (and took various bits of paper with me to show why that's what I wanted). They agreed at the 20 week scan. With the next one they agreed at the 12 week scan though in the end he was a premature vbac.

Hope the hospital or midwife can reassure you that you'll get a c-sec.

OP that system sounds the same as ours. I had an appointment at 20 ish weeks and stated I would like an elective section (after emcs first time round). They gave a leaflet with info and risks of cs and said to return at 36 weeks. I was concerned it was late and my midwife was pressuring me to go for vbac so I was quite anxious.

At 36 week appt doc just asked if I wanted to go ahead and confirmed it on the system. The nurse took swabs. They called me at 37 weeks (as that's when their surgical lists were ready) with a date at 39 weeks. In the end, baby came early at 38 weeks so they just moved up my section, having completed all paperwork etc.

Thanks so much to everyone who has replied, really appreciate all the kind advise and comments.

@Karigan195 - would definitely be interested to hear how you get on today (and good luck)

I may be worrying about nothing at this stage, as I'm not being pushed back - I'm just nervous about going to 36 weeks without a firm birth plan (but then, I'm usually pretty laid back but this pregnancy seems to be setting off all sorts of hormonal anxieties in me!)

Had my 34 week appt just now. And yes a plan of action was discussed so I suspect you will find that you’re c section gets booked after the 34/36 week consultant appt.

I’m trying for vbac but she has said another appt at 38 weeks to book a just in case induction.

Thank you for the update @Karigan195 - best of luck xx

Different situation as I don't plan on a CS but have the option due to prior tear. I have to see a consultant about it and questioned my midwife about why I'm not back on midwife led care and she told me that the consultant aims to see you at 36 weeks as that is when they confirm if you want a section and book you for one.
Based on that I'd say that you'll get a date at that point.

Did midwife previously say it was ur choice? I had asked at booking in as was told by community midwife after my last birth that any future baby would have to be a section.

The fact they haven't said no suggests to me that ul be booked in at ur next appointment with consultant. I would ask midwife at ur next appointment.

My current midwife told I would have a choice as had emcs last time too. I met consultant at 16 wks and she did try to persuade me about VBAC but wasn't pushy and said if my mind was made up then that's fine. We spoke about if I went into labour naturally what would I want, I said section unless I was very far gone. I need to see her again at 34 wks and it will be then that the section will be booked for sometime between 39+2 and 39+6.

Thanks again for all the advice, much appreciated. At my initial bookings appointment my midwife had said a planned c section looked like the safest option for me anyway based on my previous birth.. all your lovely comments have put my mind at rest that hopefully the section will be booked in at my 36 week consultation.