This is long! I’m 17 weeks but am looking into my options and would like some input on people’s experiences and preferences about elective sections and natural birth, given the choice.
Im 30 and have a condition which caused blackouts when it was first diagnosed. My body produces too much adrenaline, I get easily stressed and I start feeling faint and clammy if I feel I’m having a funny turn. This wasn’t even on my medical record until I happened to mention it to the midwife at booking appt, I saw a consultant about it at the time but no follow up since and haven’t actually fainted for a while.
I’m seeing an obstetrician now who would like me to see an endocrinologist about it and also respiratory as I have asthma which makes me breathless easily. I have had bad anxiety since getting pregnant and have referred myself to Mind Matters to hopefully get some coping mechanisms.
My obstetrician has said, pending the medical reviews that I will need to think about how it will be best for me to give birth since if end up fainting or too breathless during labour then that’s obviously not good.
He said he’d do whatever I wanted and said if I wanted a section he wouldn’t say no. A section is my preference although he is advising me against it. I am a nurse so not a layman with medical issues and am terrified that labour will be prolonged, baby will be in distress etc and I’ll end up poorly or needing a section anyway.
I’ve been told of ELCS risks, but to me there’s risks with every operation and it is routine. There are risks with natural birth too which
I feel pressured to go for, and feel there’s an agenda to push for natural. I’m worried about being on labour ward with midwives too busy and not getting the pain relief and help I need or for baby to end up in trouble.
Coupled with my medical issues and bad anxiety If you had a choice what do you think is the better option?