How to get an elective c-section?

[islabonita]

Hello there Ladies.
Is it really possible to get an elective c-section without any "medical reasons" such as placenta previa etc. Is total panic towards childbirth good enough reason to get one?
Is there anyone who got a c-section just because they felt like it was right option for them?
How did you get it and how difficult it was to persuade the consultants?
thanks

I can't remember what the sources were!!

I just think that eleusis spouting about the state of the NHS is a clear indication of why NOT to go into hospital at all if it can be helped.

Having worked with several obs and gyneacology SHO's and registrars I'm definate that I would choose a midwife any day. As it happens most scrub nurses know what a surgeon needs before the surgeon does!!

Also having been at the operating table as a runner, when a c section who had had to go back to theatre due to internal bleeding crashed and died, I would definately not choose a c section before trying a vaginal delivery.

As I have said, if it is to save life fine. If it is due to previous bad experience fine. But I can safely say that most women have a fear of childbirth to certain degrees, its normal to be frightened of the unknown, which is what the birth of a first child is.

tori i have justread your post, and I am now panicing about my CS, I just keep having this overwhelming fear that something is going to go wrong and I will be leaving my 2 year old boy and dad behind! I had toahve an emergency CS with my little boy, and now I am dreading facing a second, although I feel it would be safer for me to have one. I am really torn asto what to do for the best, do I runthe risks associated with a CS or do I run the risk of being stuck in a wheelchair?!?!?!? Such a confusing time!

All this business about being too posh to push is utter rubbish - I certainly wouldn't choose to have a CS if not for the problems I have. I had an emergency section with my first, and the pain and recovery are not great!

Loopy, don't panic! The vast majority of all births go without a hitch. You are in far more danger everytime you cross a road, look at it that way! Good luck!

Loopy, I'm sure there are also plenty of stories where mother and/or baby died in vaginal delivery. None of it is risk free. You just have to make an informed decision and do what you think is right.

islabonita - i haven't read the whole thread so excuse me for going straight back to the OP, but you sound just like i did at my NCT classes with DD1.
At one point quite late on DD1 was transverse and i was delighted as i would need a C/S. But she turned and so i decided to have a go.

I have 2 DDs and both births really were fine. I had an epidural with DD1 when i got to 8cm and had had enough. The pain TOTALLY disappeared, i had a sleep, woke up fully dilated, an hour of pushing (nothing too bad, could feel pressure, not pain) and she came out no problem, no tears, no stitches. I was home the same day and felt great.

DD1 was a faster labour, just had gas & air, 3 pushes and she was out. Again no stitches or tears.

I would give birth again any day of the week, it really wasn't that bad, and if the pain is too much for you then have an epidural.

I do find that people talk about bad birth experiences way more than others who had no major issues or problems. My experience is not that unusual. Anyway, not trying to steer you one way or the other, just wanted to share.

eleusis, that'a a comforting post

My point was not much differend from "a c section... that crashed and died". There are risks both ways.

I think it's far more helful to say that actually the risk is negligable don't you?
I'm curious to know what you have against natural birth. It appears to be a real bugbear with you

Has anyone noticed that Isla Bonita has disappered off the thread ? poor thing has probably been scared to submission. Blimey, it's getting heated on here !!
All the best to everyone whatever birth choice they decide to take !!

I just think, in retrospect, that pregnant women are given this happy clappy fluffy view of vaginal birth and noting about sections is discussed until you are lying there at 3 am with a baby in foetal distress and cord start flying, a consent is shoved under your nose, the razor comes out, in less than 2 minutes you are lying in the theatre surrounded by 8 medical professionals (it's like OMG who are all you people and where did you come from?!?!) and then you are being knocked out because the block hasn't taken effect and the surgeon who looks barely old enough to drive gives the instruction that she waiting one more minute and then we're knocking her out. Fucking Hell, they should tell you this shit before you are there.

And I think much of the trauma that people experience post emergency section is a result of being hyped up for this fictitious lovely vaginal birth. I want a tour of the theatre and someone to say, if thing don't work out, you will end up here. This is the procedure and you can expect a recovery like this. blahblah blah.

I have nothing against people who make an informed decision about vaginal birth. I believe in choice. I don't believe in keeping pregnant women in the dark and not telling them what you know they are about to experience.

I think the opposite. I think that there is little point in scaring women when the chances of something bad happening are small. if they go into labour scared then the chances ARE that something will go wrong.

My frame of mind did not effect the outcome of my emergency section one bit. But, the lack of information I got and the way I was told not to worry about things that were worth worrying about (I realise now) certainly guided my actions in my second pregnancy. I had had it up to my eye bals with midwives who couldn't answer valid medical questions and I certainly didn't trust them.

It's funny kitty, I think we have the same complaints about the NHS but different reactions. I've had this debate with several mumsnetters and people seem to agree that the care in NHS maternity is lacking. But, the difference is that some turn to the medical approach, and some just try to steer clear of the place. I suppose it's a shame that so many of us feel the need to do either.

I suppose people should be asked if they want all the facts. And then given them if they say yes.

I agree Eleusis. Maternity services are in a shocking state. I would not like to be a ist timer now. It's the whole package that's so, so underfunded isn't it?
I remember after my second section that
no one came when I called in the night to help pick up my screaming baby and none changed the cathetar bag so it burst and people were sliding in my wee on the ward floor

Oh yuck! That's terrible.

At the hospital where I had me emergency section, about a year later, a woman had a long difficult delivery (vaginal) and they put the baby in the bed with her. She was so exhausted she rolled over on the baby and killed it. How could no one notice that? It's crap that they are so busy they don't notice someone smothering the new born.

Scared the crap out of me and I didn't let DS in the bed with me when I was sleeping.

Incidentally the hospital has changesd it'spolicy on sticking newborn in the bed with mum.

Hello im back lovelies.
someone thought i had completely freaked out and disappeared! its not it, i have been reading all of your comments, thank you again.
So i have been doing an extensive research on c-sections and vaginal births. I have come to the conclusion that vaginal birth can be a wonderful way to have your baby, given that it goes right!!!!!!!! By right i mean that the baby isnt in distress, deprived of oxygen and cord around the neck. And that it doesnt end up in emergency cs which is smthg i REALLY dont want. And that the motherdoesnt get 4th degree tears and have to live in nappies for the next year when she is waiting for the corrective op.... i think it is for the good of whole family if mother gets to keep control of basic bodily functions such as pooing and peeing, and that way her self esteem which affects her ability to nurture the family. It is vital i think and please dont give me comments like " youre selfish, at least you have your baby" there is no such a thing like prize baby.
In c section you wont have risk of emergency c-section, babys distress, breaking of the collar bones, colostomy bags in case of bad tearing ( i know it isnt common but it IS a risk) I really dont know why i would expose myself and the baby to those risks?
And please note i do understand the risks of c section and i know you will be in considerable pain and discomfort, baby might have difficulties to breathe,you wont have feelings of achievement (this i have a problem with... i dont understand it when ppl say that cs is cold and clinical and you wont instantly love your baby? what? of course i will love him/her regardless the way i give birth. i really dont understand it)bfeeding will start slower but so what ? it starts when it starts and the hospital wont let the baby die of hunger?
I know ppl who have had good births and of course they promote it. But there is no way of telling how it goes for you. some ppl tear some dont, how do you know what happens? Hoping for the best and keeping positive and not listening to the "horror" stories seems irresposible to me. I still think cs is a good option, and propably the one i will go for.
Sorry massive post.... i cant talk to anyone else yet

oh dear... i think i was very unclear and just sort of blurted everything out. sorry.what i tried to say is that i still think vaginal birth is full of unexpectable risks where in cs you more or less know what will happen and deal with it better, and therefore you will be calmer,happier, more in control mother? is it bad to think this way or is it more admirable if you "bravely" throw yourself in the sea of incontinence and emergency cs´s , that might happen, theres no denying that?

i respect any choices that people make for whatever reason and would never judge but i had normal birth and it was amazing and i did tear but not left me peeing my own pants lol but there are risks with each and as long as you have researched then thats the main thing obviously you are far more laid up after c section and need to make sure wound is not infected but good luck and hope all goes well with birth either way its still amazing to hold baby in your arms how ever they got there

isla, you have done your homework, evaluated the risks and and from the sounds of it, made your decision. I think that is the best place to be - too many of us just go into labour with imperfect information and end up disappointed. I was when I was pressured into an induction and ended up with an em cs. Now I am pro-cs choice.

Even if your cs is not the best one (and I am wishing you a speedy and uneventful recovery), you know how bad it can be and are prepared for the worst. That is half the battle won.

All the best! To you and your baby.

as blueshoes says, sounds like you have made your mind up.

i have to say, and stats vary from hospital trust to hospital trust, that tearing so badly you are left incontinent is rare.

also, why would your baby's collarbones be broken? that again, is incredibly rare when baby gets badly stuck.

'And please note i do understand the risks of c section and i know you will be in considerable pain and discomfort, baby might have difficulties to breathe,you wont have feelings of achievement (this i have a problem with... i dont understand it when ppl say that cs is cold and clinical and you wont instantly love your baby? what? of course i will love him/her regardless the way i give birth. i really dont understand it)

from my own personal experience, i found a c.section to be all of those things and i found it very hard to bond with my baby, and felt i had not given birth, but he had been removed from me. it was hard. and as you have not had a baby before, you don;t know that you won;t feel like that.

mine was an emergency c.s, but nevertheless, teh op is the same.

don;t underestimate the positives of vaginal birth, you haven;t mentioned anything about that, except for all the risks, and they are rare risks at that.

there are a myriad of things you can do to make vaginal birth a positive and more controlled experience, but i have to tell you, and your post seems to be really focused on bieng in full control, and knowing what will happen, that your expectations might not be met by a c.s.

have you discussed these fears with a MW or obs where you plan to give birth?

i hope that you have a wonderful , enriching, problem free birth experience, that leaves you feeling joyful and fulfilled, whatever you choose.

i suppose, having had one c.s and one v.b, for me , there is no comparison.

also, you seem really concerned about teh birth leaving you incontient... do you know anyone this has happened to? and i mean totally incontinet, not a bit of leaking i.e stress incontinence.

lulu, was yours an em cs? Or one you were told you had to have for medical reasons?

I had an em cs and felt like a failure having tried so hard to achieve a vb, active birth and all. I think too much discouragement against cs is also counterproductive. In my case, after I got over the disappointment of not having a vb (which would have been necessary had cs been explained to be as a valid birth choice), I was absolutely fine with it, thrilled with my bits, and felt vb was overrated! So quite different to you.

I think isla has a free choice whether to go for cs or vb and she seems to be in full possession of the facts and risks of both options (whether signicant or marginal). I dare say isla is much more likely to get the experience she wants, than I ever was.

This may be a long post, please bear with me!

As a midwife of many years, I recently left the NHS because I was no longer prepared to put myself in a position where I could possibly be accused of failing to care for a mother and baby to the best of my ability because of poor staffing levels/skill mix and lack of basic equipment.
I have many years experience of pregnany, labour and post natal care and have fought 'tooth and nail' as they say to promote natural childbirth.

The majority of practising midwives are decent folks. However, lack of experience, experienced senior midwives to refer to, and fear of litigation sometimes results in a woman being subject to
inappropriate/uneccessary intervention.

Hospitals have 'protocols' and it takes a brave midwife to fight the corner for her patient when she feels that good midwifery care is being taken over by the doctors.

Anything outside of 'normal' labour means an obstetrician's involvement, albeit the obstetrician sometimes has far less knowledge and experience than that of a senior midwife, but the midwife then has to follow the doctor's orders.

Yes, sometimes intervention is undertaken because of fear of litigation, but those amongst you who have suffered intervention and ultimately have a heathy baby, would your cries not be greater if the intervention was delayed and the outcome was less favourable?

It's a very emotive subject and for each and every woman and each and every labour it is different.

I encourage all you ladies to argue and fight for what you want in your care, I just caution you to research the situation carefully befor opting for your choice, whatever your choice may be.

And no darn it, I didn't do a spell check