Feeling let down by the NHS - c-section v normal delivery

[snugfit]

Can anyone help / offer me any advice re the following:

I'm 32 weeks pregnant with my first child and am very confused by what the consultant / GP / midwife is (or rather isn't) telling me.

I'm told by the maternal medicine consultant a c-section "may be advisable" for me on the following grounds:

I had a brain haermorrhage 3.5 years ago (I was in the same hospital as I'm having the baby in for 5 months in 2003. All notes were lost by them in a fire but they referred me back to my neurologist who thought I'd be OK (despite domant clot behind my left eye still) providing I didn't have a migraine on the day I went in to labour).

Migraines during pregnancy of between 2 and 3 days each up to three times a week.

I fractured my pelvis about 20 years ago and I'm now having a lot of pain (the Dr said not an issue as it was fractured not broken but the pain is getting worse each day)

Strong history of breach (maternal line, 4 generations, 16 babies all breach)

Low lying placenta (scan due in week 34).

Has anyone had all or any of the above issues? what happened?

Should I say I think a c-section is better for me because of all my problems or leave it to them to decide - when would they normally decide?

I'm stressing about this to point of not sleeping which can't be good!!!

how very frustrating

firstly, your neurologist will have more of an idea of how childbirth will affect you , than an obstetrician, in terms of your brain heamorrhage/ dormant clot....if he is happy that you can labour, then that is a plus point.

the pain might well be being excacerbated by the pregnancy, as the ligaments loosen in the pelvis and destabalise the pelvis anyway...perhaps a physio can help you?

re the breech - is your baby breech? if not, then it is not an issue

re low lying placenta - your scan in 2 weeks will give you an answer . the majority do move out of the way of the internal cervical os during pregnancy, so every chance yours will move

HTH !

Yes - sorry my baby is breach at the moment!

You will have to take each of these factors individually and look at the risks.

If you still have a low lying placenta at term, the only safe option is a caesarean. But for some of the other conditions, it's not so clear cut. For breech, most people would recommend a c-s, although you will find a few Mnetters who have given birth vaginally to breech babies. Don't know about the pelvic pain - could this be SPD?

You are only 32 weeks and a lot could change. Low lying placentas usually move up. Breech babies can turn. So nothing is fixed in stone at this stage.

also please remember that how you deliver the baby is so unimportant relative to the simple fact that you will be a mother in a few months time.

Don't let them decide. Ask them to talk through all the issues so that you can decide with them.

But they probably won't want to know till after the placenta / breech issues are resolved.

If your placenta is still low-lying (nearer than 2cm to cervix) then you need a cs. But there is an 80% chance it will have moved if your last scan was at 20 weeks.

If your baby doesn't turn you might want to ask about the skill/experience of the midwives at breech births. If they're not confident you might be better off with a cs.

Don't know about the pelvis.

And is there going to be anyone available during your labour who has a chance of spotting if you're in danger of another brain haemorrhage?

And what do you actually want to do? Because I should think with that lot, you could get a cs if you wanted!

The midwife suggested it might be SPD the Dr said the pain was perfectly normal as my pelvis was fractured not broken (backflip on the beam at gym aged 10 that went very wrong - ouch!)

I looked it up on the internet but it doesn't really seem to be recognised / picked up here in the way it is in the States. It really hurts, especially when walking or climbing stairs and being measured is agony!

I'm pleased 32 weeks still gives plenty of time for things to sort themselves out naturally!

I'm usually so organised and feel very helpless and out of control on this one!

Feeling out of control is very good preparation for motherhood.

But I agree all the waiting and wondering is pants.

It's the pushing they seem concerned about, particularly if it's a migraine day as I just lie in a dark room being sick so pushing won't really be possible!

Have to wait and see I guess but would rather know than wait until the day to see if i'm having a migraine, especially with other issues as well!

We're meant to be moving house in week 38 - fabulous timing!!

Do not worry if you have to have an elective section. Believe me, an elective is much nicer than an emergency section (I've had both). I quite enjoyed my elective section - very laid back in theatre and no pain. The recovery takes longer than a natural birth, but if it's your first baby you should easily be able to cope. Good luck