Can anyone have a c section?

[Danni91]

Just a few questions if anyone can help me out with these.. I've googled but it's mostly generic things on the NHS website and such which doesn't give me

I completely understand its major surgery and a vaginal birth is recommended & safer, I'm just nervous as hell over baby number 3 for multiple reasons

My questions are (may add more!)

Can anyone have one?
How do you ask / when do you ask?
Is a 3/4 day stay in hospital standard or can you leave the next day?
What stage of pregnancy is too late to ask for one?
How likely it is when given a date they change it?
What happens if you go into labour naturally before your date?
Do they try tell you not to when you ask for one?

Thank you

Can anyone have one?
YES, an elective surgery is everyone's right but you may have to argue for it.

How do you ask / when do you ask?
ASAP

Is a 3/4 day stay in hospital standard or can you leave the next day?
UNLIKELY to let you home next day. 3/4 days is standard.

What stage of pregnancy is too late to ask for one?
NEVER too late but best not to leave it until you are in labour!

How likely it is when given a date they change it?
ALWAYS a chance of change of date.

What happens if you go into labour naturally before your date?
YOU'd have an emergency section (which is why a change of date may happen - they only do so many a day and someone may jump the queue!)

Do they try tell you not to when you ask for one?
DEPENDS on attitude of consultant and midwife but sometimes yes.
Good luck

Thank you I'm 31 weeks.. is it too late?

Due March and petrified this time round. No family for child care, my partner works nights and both previous Labours were middle of the night starters!
I'll bet it's snowing and I'll be stuck with 2 kids and no escape.

I can't stop panicking about it. Both precious labours no birth plans just in as it happened, both a week late. Both super long labours and both vaginal births 1 with forceps 1 with gas & air.

I suppose it was easier when i was in contact with my family & they had my (then) 7 year old when i went into labour.

Now I have a 9 year old and a 16 month old and no one to rely on in the middle of the night.

Reckon I'm just over thinking it?

I meant to say previous not precious

Read the Nice guidelines to ensure you fully understand your decision and then tell your midwife you've done so and that you have decided to opt for a c section.

My planned c section was a very positive experience (even though I hadn't wanted it - footling breech baby so no choice).

Can anyone have one?
Not at my hospital, you need a genuine reason.
How do you ask / when do you ask?
ASAP given you are 31weeks
Is a 3/4 day stay in hospital standard or can you leave the next day?
Pretty standard, recovery is much harder than vaginal.
What stage of pregnancy is too late to ask for one? When you are discussing your birth plan with midwife around 37 weeks
How likely it is when given a date they change it? Very unlikely
What happens if you go into labour naturally before your date?
Then you have a natural birth
Do they try tell you not to when you ask for one?
No - but they need to understand your reasons.

Everything your saying points to logistics of childcare rather than a fear of giving birth and at my hospital that wouldn't likely be accepted.

I think you're underestimating the recovery time of a c section - 2 weeks of pain minimum with a newborn and 16 month old. 6 weeks standard recovery, greater risk of infection etc

If you a worried about childcare for 24 hrs, how would you cope for several weeks. Is there no one between you and dp family and friends that can help?

You would probably be hard pressed to get a consultant/ midwife to agree to an elective C section based on childcare issues as opposed to medical issues.

Maybe I am underestimating it.

I really dont want one if I'm honest I think I just want the ease of having a time & date, sorting a friend to have my boys and just knowing its some what organised.

I have 2 or 3 people I can depending on dates and times idk why I am so anxious this time round

Baby was a suprise not planned and I think Ive just gone through the motions rather than enjoyed this pregnancy.

It sounds like you’ve thought about this a lot but I had an EMCS and thought I’d add a few things to consider:

• I had terrible trapped wind from the CS which worked its way up to my shoulders and they became so weak I couldn’t pick my baby up for several days. Coupled with the pain from the wound, lack of sleep and a terrible cold I came down with, I felt at rock bottom for the first few days. But then again maybe I would have felt shit from a vagina birth too.

-breastfeeding at day 1 caused my uterus to contract which caused me severe stomach pains as it was squashing all of the trapped wind around. Felt like labour round 2. Couldn’t do anything but drink peppermint tea and take paracetamol but I was doubled over for an hour after each feed.

• the wound healed up nicely but it itched and itched for months after and you obviously can’t scratch it.
• a year on and I’ve healed well but I had a large numb patch around the scar which I suspect I’ll never get the feeling back in.
• you have to inject yourself with these painful anti collagulent injections for 10 days after. They hurt like hell for about a minute after and I dreaded having my husband giving them to me.

HOWEVER the actual CS was a breeze and I felt in control and not scared at all. I was so tired from my labour that I was nearly falling asleep as it was so relaxing. All things considered, I’d have one again and next time will ask for an elective.

If you struggle for childcare and someone to help you with your DC, I would NOT recommend having a c-section OP.

You will be off your feet and need help caring for your children and around the house for a couple of weeks. I've had two c-sections. DH was off for four weeks after both to help. We sent eldest to the childminder full time for four weeks after my second as well. It wasn't until 5-6 weeks I was out and about as usual on my own with both of them.

Anyone can request a c section.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/

I'd suggest discussing your feelings with your midwife. I had a c-section at maternal request but there were underlying reasons for the request. I have a high BMI and baby was forecast to be big so I was worried he would get stuck.
I found recovery ok but I've never had a vaginal delivery so I can't compare. However you can't lift anything heavier than the baby for 6 weeks so you might find things difficult with your other 2. I couldn't lift car seats and parks which hasn't been easy.

Don’t underestimate how incapacitated you would be following the surgery. No lifting anything heavy or cuddling your children/letting them climb on you for at least the first two weeks.

Just sitting up in bed is difficult at first.

I was still taking oramorph for the pain 48 hours after my c section as I was otherwise close to fainting if I walked from bed to the bathroom.

I had a really quick recovery otherwise though and was able to drive from 4 weeks and lift the travel system chassis into the car boot etc. as long as I was careful.

I cannot imagine looking after a toddler/young child in the first 2 weeks following a c section though, even though plenty of women manage it.

I wouldn’t do it just for childcare reasons.

I left hospital within 36 hrs of my second c section. It would have been earlier, bit they have to keep you in for a min of 24hrs, and that fell in the middle of the night, so had to wait until the morning for a doctor to discharge me. Was in 5 days with dc1 though so really just depends how the surgery and recovery goes. I had an elective section 2nd time, after an emergency with my first. Recovery is hard, but I can imagine it isn't a walk in the park with a natural delivery either. I found it hard trying to recover and "take it easy" after my 2nd c section as I had a toddler to run around after, so roping in extra help is key. You can request a c section, but have to fight your corner. I know 2 friends have requested them on the grounds of birth anxiety, and both got to have an elective section. It certainly isn't the easy way out though, and you need to read up on the increased risks and long term effects it can have in your body. It is major surgery, and not something to put your body through without researching the facts first. Having said that, my c sections were relatively straight forward, recovery wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but still tough, and if I had another baby I'd 100% opt for another section, even with the increased risks of another major abdominal surgery. Do the research and speak to your midwife. You will need to meet with a consultant, and then I'd given the go ahead, you will be handed over to consultant led care. Good luck

I asked for an elective c-section with my second baby because I had a third degree tear with my first. I saw a consultant at 25 and 34 weeks and was given a date for it. However, I went into labour in the evening a week before my date and when I arrived (eleven pm), the only surgical team was doing an emergency so I had no option but to continue as I was and I gave birth naturally before they could come back to me and do an emergency. Obviously, had the surgeon been available, I could have still had the section but they weren’t so if you were to go into labour before your date, don’t bank 100% on still getting the section.

You do have to be careful lifting but I was back to looking after my toddler ds and newborn when dh went back to work after 3 weeks and was fine. Also everyone is different - I found the pain the worst the following day but it significantly reduced very quickly. I was discharged 24 hours after the op and not even taking paracetamol by day 10. I found recovery from a complicated vaginal birth much more painful and much longer than my elcs.

I’ve had two elective sections. No issues getting either agreed. 24 hour discharge is standard at most hospitals after an elective section unless you have complications. I was pretty much back to normal within a couple of weeks, driving after 10 days, able to push pram to the pub etc.

Sorry wanted to add too, although recovery can be straightforward, you will be incapacitated for the first few days. Even sneezing (OMFG) is agnoy. I couldn't even cuddle my dc1, or get from sofa to standing without help for the first week at least. It is major surgery and without help nearby, you will struggle. You cannot drive for 6 weeks unless a doctor agrees to earlier, and I 100% didn't feel up to driving before then anyway. So school runs will be tricky as walking any distance is also not an option. Just up and down the stairs will wipe you out. Too much pressure on your wound from simply walking and standing will increase your risk of infection too. It's a tough call. If the reason for not wanting a natural birth is lack of support hole you're in labour, definitely don't go for a section, as you will need a lot more help in the weeks after the birth, than with a vaginal delivery.

Would you feel better about an induction on your due date/a fixed point overdue rather than a section?

With a section, you could potentially be out the next day, although two nights in is more likely. But you will have a longer recovery time and need more help than if you had a straightforward vaginal birth.

Do you really have nobody who could help? A lot of people will help under the circumstances if you ask, even people you might not feel comfortable asking for routine favours. We live some distance from family, who are our Plan A for childcare in labour, but I have managed to line up our childminder and next door neighbour to be on standby if things kick off quickly/unexpectedly, and have a few mums of DC’s friends who I would feel comfortable asking if neither of them were around on the day. Does your older child have any friends whose families might be willing to help?

@Autumnglitterball How was your birth after tearing the first time? I had a 3rd degree and am seeing a consultant next week as I lost over 1.5l first time.

Thank you for all the replies I really appreicate them all.

It's not just childcare reasons but they're at the front of my mind when i think about actually going into labour.

I guess I feel quite deattached from this pregnancy compared to my last which were very much wanted planned for and many hours spent crying when a period came.

This time period was missed and my first thought was 'shit!'. She is going to 100% complete our family & I know when she is here things will somehow just work out.

I guess a vaginal birth can only help with bonding, I know deep down its best and easier for us as a family.

I think im just looking for the wrong thing. I wish I could fast forward 9 weeks and just have her here already so all the nerves go away.

I never had these anxieties on my last 2 pregnancies no set birth plans just what happened was gonna happen. I Just need to get back into that mind set. It's a bit harder with a toddler who is so attached to me (and me to him!)

@mycatscaresdogs
I do have a few people who I can / will ask.
There's a school mum on the same street as me I've considered for a night time emergency.

I have a friend who will do it but she's not err overly patient with children BUT she would do it and she would never see them harmed.

I could ask my brother gf but they are not the most suitable. They both drink lots so wouldn't be overly great for an evening emergency.

So when i say no one I'm lying there are people, but no one amazing who will be willing to drop every thing/ rush to them kind of thing.

@Raindancer411 I had a 2l PPH with my first. The consultant looks at your notes to find out why. I was still able to have a water birth for my second, just had to get out to deliver the placenta which had to be managed with injection etc. I could still have delayed cord clamping. I had to go on the hormone drip for four hours after to make sure everything was contracting well. In the end I lost minimal blood (like 100ml) and went home the same day. Good luck with yours.
OP, sorry to hijack. No advice but I hope you get the birth you want. I was really scared for childcare too, I'd been told I was likely to deliver very quickly and I live rurally. In the end I had a nice long latent stage with plenty of warning to get things organised and didn't need any of my friends on standby x

My husband was in Afghanistan when my first was born.

He was in Newcastle when our second was born. He didn't have a car then and the trains stopped at 10pm. It would cost £230 in a taxi.

It would have been a good idea to book in the op to have everything arranged and for him to be there however the recovery isn't easy.

In the end I did have an emergency c section with my first.!

Would it be worth requesting an induction? My Mum requested one with her 5th to fit in with childcare availability.

Definitely have a good chat with your midwife at your next appointment first.

raindancer411 it was actually fine. The first birth had been about four hours from 4cm to birth, this one was even quicker, an hour and a half which was why he was born before the surgical team came back to me. The midwife was very hands on and made me slow right down at the point of the head being born. I still had a couple of stitches but she did them herself so nothing like the spinal and theatre experience of the first! I’m glad I didn’t have a section in the end because I was fine but I didn’t know that when I booked it.