Elective c section after traumatic birth

[Lily2020]

We are TTC our 2nd baby & it has suddenly occurred to me that when I get pregnant I will have to give birth again 😂😳

I was in labour for 3 days, ended up with the ventouse snapping off & flying across the room so had forceps delivery with episiotomy & I tore.
Had an infection during labour so baby & I we're in hospital for 5 days on antibiotics & also had an iron drip as lost lot of blood.
Then had 3 more infections & didn't feel right until baby was 8 months old.

I know a lot of people have scary births & It could have been a lot worse for me but I am terrified of the same thing happening again (I know this is irrational as every birth is different) I also know that a c section is major surgery & by no means an easy option.

Can anyone tell me how they went about requesting a c section & the chances of me getting one? Will I be laughed out of the room?

I requested one and was constantly dismissed. I know plenty on here have managed it though. I think my mistake was leaving it till the last few weeks to ask. Ask at your first midwife appointment, and every subsequent one after that. Good luck!

How badly did you tear? I had a 3rd degree tear and was automatically referred to a consultant to discuss birth options as a result. I requested an ELCS and the consultant was very supportive; she went through the risks of both a vaginal birth and cs and said ultimately it was my choice to decide. I had dc2 via c section 6 months ago and it was lovely- recovery very easy and straightforward! I felt a lot better after it than my first traumatic birth. Good luck!

@Janaih sorry to hear you didn't get the choice, how was the 2nd birth?
@KatnissK thanks for that, I had a 2nd degree tear do not sure I would be referred. We moved to France to live at my parents when baby was 1 month so I had all my check ups over there, they prescribed me with pelvic floor re education physio, might be worth me mentioning when the time comes?

I could have written this post! 3rd degree though and they didn't try ventouse just forceps. I've been raising it since booking and midwives have been understanding and referred me to obstetrician - I'm meant to be seeing them next week but now over the phone instead of in person. I'm hoping they will just sign off wish me luck!

Like you my stance is it was bad, very bad but I recovered without ongoing issues. Second time around could be smooth sailing or it could be much much much worse and I'm not prepared to take that risk.

I had a traumatic first birth with a shoulder dystocia and asked for an elective section with number two. No problems getting it agreed however I went into spontaneous labour a week early in the middle of the night and the surgical team was already doing an emergency when I arrived. I progressed so quickly that I gave birth vaginally an hour after arriving. Ultimately, if you want a section, you have the right to request one. My baby clearly didn’t want to wait for his.

Your birth sounds almost identical to my first. I was having flashbacks for a couple of years after the birth. BUT my second was a lovely waterbirth at home, over in a couple of hours! So different to my first. I didn't consider a c-section because I didn't want to be stuck at home with two small children.

Speak to the midwife from very early on about an elective C. You can be referred to the consultant if you've had a complex previous birth and discuss options from there. Be aware though that my traumatic birth experience was a planned c section so although they are seen as the less stressful option this isnt always the case and me and my baby nearly died due to absolute negligence following the procedure. Could you start looking at local Doula's who can support you regardless of how you give birth? For me, that support and advocacy is vital in having a better experience however you give birth.

Second birth was equally traumatic as the first, as I feared it would be. Had to have a catheter for 2 weeks afterwards. Not as bad as yours though OP from the sounds of it.

@StarsOnAMat wow - we can plan all we like but the babies will come when they come! I'm afraid something like that will happen to me so am looking at a positive birth course even if I am requesting ELCS ... in the off chance I go into spontaneous labour before my date.

How was the second birth in the end? Hopefully it was at least better than your first traumatic birth?

I also had shoulder dystocia with my first and was told at debrief that I could have an ELCS with my second.

I didn't ask. I just said "I will be having an elective section". All but one doctor instantly agreed and a few midwives told me they would do the same. The doctor who didn't agree was just trying to be funny I think, but I started having flashbacks to DDs birth and remembering things that I hadn't realised had happened.

DS is now 8 months. His birth was wonderful and I recovered far better from an ELCS than I did from DDs birth. Good luck!

LillianFullStop it was absolutely fine. The midwife was very hands on at the point of birth whereas the first birth had been in the pool so obviously hands off until he got stuck. I only had a couple of stitches which the midwife did and I was home by noon. It was clearly a much quicker recovery than if I’d had the section but when I asked for it, I didn’t know the birth would be like that.

Thanks for all of your help! 😊
I will just have to see how I get on when the time comes 🤞🏽 hopefully not too long a wait

Don’t ask for one, just tell them you are having one. Be assertive from the outset. If you have any difficulties, email the excellent charity Birthrights for advice.

@StarsOnAMat wow I’m glad the second birth went so well for you after all! Do you mind me asking how badly you tore with your first baby?

I had a traumatic first birth. Not as bad as yours but a 3rd degree tear. Emotionally I found it difficult to recover from.

Consultant led for the second baby and I said I wanted one from the start. She looked at my notes and agreed straight away that it would be fine. She said she only wouldn't recommend it if I wanted lots more children. 2 was definitely the last so not an issue.

Was terrified before the op, but it was amazing. It was so peaceful and dare I say it, enjoyable. It was really healing for me to have such a positive experience.

Recovery was v straightforward and managed well with pain relief. I found it easier to recover from the my first. I was genuinely never in much pain, just a little discomfort at times. I had to be careful with what I did but it wasn't restrictive. I was driving fine by week 4 and could have done after week 3.

I had a traumatic first birth - forceps delivery and a haemorrhage of 3 litres. I was really ill and needed 3 blood transfusions. The recovery was difficult.

With my second pregnancy I was classed as high risk due to the haemorrhage. I told the consultant I was considering an elective section at our first appt and although she did tell me that technically there’s nothing stopping a straightforward birth, she was supportive. They gave me info, asked me to go away and consider for two weeks, which I did. I saw a different doctor for the second appt and they agreed to the section after checking I understood the risks and could make an informed choice.

The section itself was lovely, very calm and the recovery much easier than my first birth.

I had a traumatic first birth so asked for ELCS this time. Thought I'd have to fight for it but they've all agreed straight away. MW said she'd probably have done the same in my position!

At what point did you all get agreement from the consultant? And how many weeks do they do the delivery at for an ELCS?
I'm 19 wks, consultant led due to previous pre eclampsia, had a section kart time due to a failed 3 day induction and then DS got an infection and ended up in SCBU for a week on a ventilator. When I spoke to the consultant last week I mentioned wanting another section and she sounded put out and asked why, the hospital themselves did their own investigation into my birth and she just listed all the risks involved with a section and said it could be discussed later. I def got the feeling I've got a battle on my hands and she was trying to scare me and put me off!

My baby was breech and they still said I should try with a normal birth whereas I researched and at the time I read that a lot of natural breed births ends in an emergency c section so after the consultant tried to convince me 3x to go natural, she gave in.

@Firstimemam your consultant wanted you to try for a natural breech birth?! I'm glad they gave in in the end

Got my BFP today! So will be having a other good read through all of your posts very soon in preparation for my 1st appointment 😊 Thanks all 💗

I asked for one immediately. My advice would be to make sure you have prepared what you are going to say:
That you fully understand it's a serious operation and not to be elected lightly
That you fully understand the risks (be able to list them)
But that weighing it up, you believe your mental health and ability to bond with your baby positively will stand a better chance with an ELCS.

Read the research first. I named all the risks so that by the time the consultant said her bit about the risks she basically said "well of course you've listed this already". They include risk factors of the actual op to you, and to the baby, recovery factors, as well as considerations about future births. Eg if you can say this is going to be your last child that will be better than saying you plan to have 4 more.

Bear in mind hospitals have a policy for ELCS. Read up on their website what it is. Mine was that the mum to be has to go through 3 stages before approval may be offered. At each stage she has a different appointment with a different consultant where the risks are gone through (repeated). Only if each consultant recommends ELCS will it finally be approved.

Be prepared to say your (well-researched) piece at each stage of the process to a new person. Don't take it personally- it's an expensive procedure and they want to ensure women aren't opting for it lightly or without understanding the risks. Just stay clear and consistent.

The priority is your and your baby's wellbeing and mental health.

Mine was approved and fully supported by the chief midwife. I hope yours is too xx

PS Congratulations OP!

In answer to pp's question they will go for 39 weeks, any earlier is not recommended due to respiratory risks to baby.

Congratulations.

I requested one and the only question I had in response was what gestation I wanted. I chose 37 weeks and it was booked for me. No issues.

@KotoMoto thank you for that it was really helpful, I'll get researching and speech preparing tomorrow!