Can you choose how you want to have your child

[PokesIris]

Can you choose whether you want to have your child naturally or have a C-section?

You can from what I believe but if there is no reason for a c section they will probably advise you to go for vaginal delivery but a midwife I had said they go with what you want.
If you don't mind me asking is there a reason you want a c section? (If that's what you're wanting to choose of course)

You can request a c-section but you will be low priority unless deemed medically necessary do no guarantees it will be available, same goes with epidurals for childbirth. Natural is quicker to recover from, unless required for medical reasons I'm not sure why anyone would choose a c-section - I was able to go shopping the next day after a natural birth, I would not have been walking after a c-section

I have been booked in for an elective c-section at my choice - in terms of why - no overriding medical reason. My experience with my first (4 day induced labour ending with prep for EMCS, forceps birth, v large cut and blood transfusion) meant I chose not to have a second until unexpectedly getting pregnant 10 years later. I don't wish to repeat the experience and from the discussions I have had the recovery from an elective will be easier than the recovery from my first birth. Apart from going into labour naturally - the consultant has said that they have 100% of being seen on the day booked in or day after (I am booked in at 39+1). Chat to the consultant - mine at least was very measured about it and the midwifes actively encouraged me to do so.

@Nubbin I think previous birth trauma/intervention is in itself a reason for an elective section though - I think most trusts would recommend a vaginal birth with no additional circumstances but you can always discuss options with your midwife?

You can choose how you want to deliver. I had my DD in 2017, vaginal delivery, episiotomy, forceps, large bleed, spinal headache and infection. I opted for a section with my DS who was born recently. So far both options have been difficult in different ways. After the initial labour with my DD my recovery was relatively quick and I felt 100% back to my normal self within a month. I’ve found the initial few days after a section painful and difficult. I’ve only really managed to care for my DS at all because my husband is bringing him to me and handing everything I need (nappies, milk etc) to me. Saying that a section was the right option for me. You need to weigh up your pros and cons

I had problems having my first naturally (finally born with forceps after 1.5 days and some drama) and was diagnosed after with myasthenia gravis. My problem was that I couldn't push in labour and myasthenia affects the muscles so I requested for a c-sections for next two. Consultants were a bit reluctant and said it would be fine to have a natural birth but they did let me have c-sections both times. My point really is that I had a medical reason and met some resistance. I don't know that I would have been able to have a c-section without it.

"Natural is quicker to recover from" - haha, nope! Not always! I've had a natural birth and an elective c section and the c section was easier in every way with a much faster recovery.

OP, if you have a look at your trust's guidelines you may find their criteria for agreeing to c-sections. In theory you are supposed to be allowed to birth how you wish but in reality it may be difficult to get a c section if this is your first baby or no issues with previous births (mine was granted due to the damage caused by my first birth). However, you must push to be referred to a consultant as midwives aren't the ones who make decisions about how the baby is born. I'd mention it from your first appointment and ask for a referral then.

I was able to go shopping the next day after a natural birth, I would not have been walking after a c-section

Err you would have been. I walked out the hospital carrying a giant pink rabbit the next day after my emergency section with dc2. If we hadn't had to go to pick up dc1 from my inlaws and then show my dm her new granddaughter, I could easily have gone shopping. I was walking within 8 hours with both of mine (both emergencies, dc1 after 75 hours of labour, pushing and failed forceps). I went out for lunch the day after that as well.

C-section recoveries vary dramatically just like recoveries from vaginal birth. My SiL is still recovering from her quick "easy" vaginal births and her kids are 13 and 10. I felt fine within hours. Certainly didn't need pain killers. If my labour pains were a 10, my c-section pains were 1.

Assuming that vaginal equals good and c-sections equal bad does no one any good. That was the message I was given prior to my first and I assumed that there was something awfully wrong because it just didn't hurt. There wasn't.

Thank you all for your replies! I really appreciate it. I didn't get notified that people replied to this post and so sorry for not acknowledging earlier!

I had a c-section and the reason for request went down as "maternal requests" there were factors leading to the request but that was the official reason.

You can choose to have an ELCS.

You can plan to have a vaginal birth and may well get one but obviously there are no guarantees so it might end up as an EMCS.

What do you want?

@okiedokieme I was at soft play the day after my section! Couldn't leave the house for weeks after my vaginal birth. Recovery from all birth methods are very individual. No way would I ever go natural again, it's caused me life long damage and pain. But others could easily say the same about a section!

- I was able to go shopping the next day after a natural birth, I would not have been walking after a c-section

I had inflammation in my pelvis that began a fortnight after natural childbirth and I couldn’t walk for a month. It was incredibly painful.

I also couldn’t shag for almost a year

I had a planned c-section for my third baby and it was the best one of all!

I found the vaginal birth the hardest to recover from due to the 2nd degree tear.

I'm having ELCS for anxiety reasons at Barnet hospital (part of royal free). They do take you through all the risks of a c section but if you're still sure you want one I felt they were supportive in my decision. But I think it varies by hospital and even though the Nice guidelines state that you should be offered one if a vaginal birth isn't an acceptable option, some hospitals and consultants can still refuse. However you have the right to be referred to someone/somewhere that will approve it if that happens, good luck!

Too old now for another one but having had 2 ‘natural’ ones I would definitely go for a c section. Most friends and relatives who have had one (elective only) recovered very quickly.

I couldn’t sit down easily for ages, got an infection and wasn’t quite right down there for a number of months.