Why is everyone so anti elective c-section?

[Gangle]

I'm only 7 weeks pregnant but am sure I want an elective c-section. I've read extensively around the subject and think I'm well informed on the pros and cons of elective c-section v VBAC but it seems there is so much stigma attached to elective c-sections and that people will do/say anything to attempt to dissuade you from having one. Just wondering why there isn't more respect for your wishes about how you want to give birth.

Haven't had time to read all the posts and appreciate the op may have very good reasons for wanting a cs but can't believe you think it will be dignified. I didn't really find having a HUGE team of people crowded around me naked from the waist down, having a midwife change my sanitary pads because I couldn't move, or dragging a large bag of urine behind me going to visit ds in scbu dignified in the slightest . (although that's only with hinsight - at the time I was far too drugged up to care).

hindsight

I think it might be something to do with wanting to avoid a major operation and a huge incision in the abdominal wall. As opposed to a vaginal delivery which is how the female body works and for the majority if women is quite successful - loss of dignity and pain notwithstanding. And as for being in control - how are you in control of a group of surgeons more than you are over your own body?

There are clearly medical grounds for some elective c-sections.

I just felt more in control with a c section. A c section was over in minutes, and just more...well...controlled

Felt totally out of control with a vaginal birth....totally...BUT, I HATED absolutely HATED that feeling of your body taking over.That was why I felt a vaginal birth was totally out of control

Ah I see fb. I suppose so. I felt that first time round a bit I suppose. But was on top of it all the next 2 times. But I was very very lucky that I had no complications.

If you are going to give birth, whether by cs or natural, just be prepared to leave all dignity at the door.

I have had 2 cs - crash and elective. From a natural birth proponent, I am now a converted fan of cs. Both my experiences were very positive, recoveries quick and easy, really a walk in the park.

And I skip around every day, secure in the knowledge that my fanny never saw combat action.

Fizzbuzz - I'm not unsympathetic to women being afraid of giving birth, no I totally do understand that and is it any wonder???..Holby City's maternity phrase is a great example of a TV programme putting fear of childbirth into the minds of young impressionable women.

However, in todays society, we medicalise childbirth in the extreme, we don't have confidence in our own bodies, we find it difficult to know how to relax enough to give birth without experiencing pain. Our lives in general are so stressed we don't know how to relax anyway.

I think the media is responsible for alot of this fear. Gangle says she has read up on the pros and cons and wants a caesarian because she is afraid of this or that problem but as many people on this thread have pointed out, ceasarians may present their own problems.

It is important that women are supported through this fear, hypnobirthing, yoga, relaxation, doulas may all help reduce these fears and it is useful for Gangle to consider these options.

I know my post may seem a little harsh but like I said, I did work in the NHS and to be utterly honest, the reality is that wards have to turn away cases and send people across London because of lack of beds and if people abuse the system by taking up space when it is unwarranted then I think that they are really extremely selfish indeed.

Yeah, but Differs, they pay their taxes don't you know

But surely fear is enough reason for wanting a c section.

Psychological reasons are just as real as physical reasons. It is not about blocking beds.

As a taxpayer, I don't mind paying for someone to have a c section if they want it.

However...must add that vaginal birth did wonders for my sex life , whereas c section left me with horrid flabby waist which was not there before.....

20:35:00
"btw the nhs wont pay to have my stomach corrected even though it thier fault"

So true. My scar was botched when sewn up and the midwives called me stupid when I said it had come open. Finally I went private to have it resutured (baby was 15 months and it had kind of come open 3 times.)and my insurance only paid because the original section had been an emergency.

Gangle - you said you posted this in order to help you make an informed decision. I really think you need to be looking elsewhere at websites that can provide you with facts, or better still talk to your m/w. You will mainly get other peoples' opinsions and experiences here, yes that may be helpful but I don't think its necessarily the best.

shall i read this ? or just say, 'what Klaw / Mars said ' ?

314 posts, lulu... I think I'd back off.

lulu, it would make you spit, it's made me v. sad that there are women who have such a bizzare view of childbirth...

lulu doesn't spit. She is much too refined for that.

Kitty, I think what makes me sad is yes that women are so scared of childbirth. However its not their fault, I think a lot of it can be put down to media portrayal. How many births have you seen in the soaps where the woman is screaming in agony? How many "horror" birth stories do you read about in the paper. The otehr side is never reported.

ooh, no-one has ever considered me refined

seriously kitty, that is why i have not read this. i am always happy to offer any words of help when women are genuinely fearful of birth, but i find it frustrating myth busting or battling against pure ignorance.

It's very true and desperately frustrating that childbirth has become something to be so feared. Of course the state of maternity services do nothing to help with this, infact I'm sure they make things one hell of a lot worse

Gangle - I haven't read all this but I'm with you on this - I think an elective c-section is the best choice for me and while yes it is major surgery, the results are, by and large, predictable.

Stick to your guns. If that's really how you feel, you know best for yourself and your child.

I will now don my teflon knickers and retire to a safe distance.

Of course, on the subject of cost to the NHS, one of the reasons c-sections are sometimes recommended to women in the US is reportedly because it's such a litigious society. And the natural birth, if there are complications, is more likely to result in the finding of negligence if the doctor doesn't intervene at an early stage than if he/she is doing a c-section which he has more control over. So if there were more law suits, you could argue, that would cost the NHS more - or at least you could by the logic that sees US doctors recommend c-sections. (Last year I actually witnessed a Canadian one explain this to a pregnant woman who didn't speak much English - that if she opted for another section rather than VBAC they would be in control of the procedure.) I sort of think because we have an NHS we aren't the same, and having to pay for health care kind of encourages a desire to have everything accountable and controlled, and believe our system means everyone is cooperating and doing their best, but this could be naive. Anyway, this is kind of a pointless post.

Well I had a fabulous caesarian and was legging it round the wards with my DD two hours later so it can go well. Having now read the thread (ooh you mislead me with your VBAC bit) for first time labours - we all feel like this when we are first pregnant don't worry.

I was there with my pregnancy test at the GPs saying 'so I can have a section right because I'm not good with pain'.

As it happened I have a physical abnormality which means the catflap exit is the only way any baby is coming out of my body without my pelvis being very badly damaged.

But I can tell you this, you really won't give a stuff about dignity and the view from the midwife's end when you are in labour and hey, they picked their career. I think there must be a bit in the midwifery interviews where they cover the fact that they will spend much of their lives staring up women's fanjos and indeed a certain amount of delving into them too!

Do you not go to the doctor when you have a problem with something you consider embarrassing? Or do you think, well he's just a car mechanic for people and show him your big end? I jest but honestly it's a bit insulting to their professionalism to suggest that you should worry about such things, they don't.

Another reason why I think VBACs in hospital aren't good in preference to e-CS is that they are so tightly reigned - ie you can only labour for X hours, you have to be monitored using this method and will be offered an epidural far too early (ie set up to fail) etc. so they can whisk you off to your section once you've 'had a go'!

VBACs at home I think are a great plan though for those that want them.

But for first pregnancies, ahhh my dear Gangle you are worrying about the wrong thing. Labour and delivery are a doddle compared to actually living with a baby 24X7!

maybe so, but if you have support, and get in touch with AIMS, and just stand your ground.. you;ll be amazed at how much VBAC hospital protocol is swept aside

no-one can make you labour a certain way, sure, you might have to fight, do some research, but if you can show you are making an informed decision, then power to you !