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?

She sure did @LillianFullStop x

Congratulations OP!!

I too had a very very difficult time with my first, I was fast tracked for counseling whilst pregnant and that helped me MASSIVELY. I actually went in to my second birth feeling really positive which I didn't even think was a remote possibility.

Monkeynuts18 it was a 3b tear which means part of the anus is ripped. My discharge notes don’t say how many stitches I had and when I understood how bad it was, I didn’t want to ask! Baby was only 7lb 4oz too. I had no risk factors hence the waterbirth but I’ve heard mixed responses from midwives that the water can help skin stretch or can make it more likely to tear.

@Firsttimemam that sounds like madness to me... I would think that would be right up there on reasons for ELCS!!

@lilianfullstop how did you get on with your midwife phone appt?

Congratulations! I had a traumatic first birthday too. My first midwife appoint I told her I wanted a section. Met some resistance but if you keep repeating yourself the message gets through. Had to see a midwife counsellor to discuss everything and then a consultant. The words "I'm not changing my mind" immediately got me my section date. Be strong, calm and resolute and you'll get what you want.

(After getting through all the opposition I had a growth scan at 37 which determined my baby has a massive head. They would have recommended a section at this point had one not already been booked. Mamas know best it seems).

@Lily2020 my ELCS got approved! I thought I would have a fight on my hands and it would be extra challenging trying to get my points across without the face to face and with my toddler running around in the background. But they understood my concerns and happy I knew the risks of both enough to make my decision.

Date is in the diary so I am much more relaxed now! Of course I could go into labour early I just hope if it does it will go the same way as @StarsOnAMat!

@LillianFullStop ahh fantastic that's great news! Fingers crossed baby stays put for you & all goes to plan 🤞🏼

It's reassuring to read all of these stories & words of advice!
I'm very scared about broaching this especially without the support of my husband at the appointment 😣

Got a while to prepare yet so that's what I'll do 👍🏼

Does anyone know the process if you go into spontaneous labour before your section date? Do they try to fit you in or do you just have to go for a VBAC if there's no theatre space if it's an ELCS?

I was asked on the phone if I still wanted the section and I said yes but by the time I got there, they’d taken an emergency to the theatre and my baby wasn’t waiting until they came back. I expect it depends on what staff and facilities are available and how quickly you progress.

Thanks @Lily2020! The obstetrician appointments are done over the phone now so maybe you can go on speaker phone if you need your husband to pipe in with a supportive voice!

@peachesancream I asked this exact question and my midwife said to come straight in and I would be put on the emergency cesarean queue for that day. It would then depend on theatre/anaesthetist availability whether I would get into theatre before labour progresses too far for a cesarean.

Following, as I had a complicated first birth. Hoping to start TTC the second next year, and would like a section. Not as bad as yours OP, but had failed ventouse, forceps, episiotomy, 3b tear, 2.3l PPH, and catheters on and off for over a week.I was told at the time of the birth that I might have been having a placental abruption; I’m going to have my birth debrief by phone in a few days and hoping to clarify that point.
With the help of a good women’s physio I seem to have recovered quite well, but not sure I’d be so lucky the second time.

@StarsOnAMat thanks for replying. That’s interesting (and great) that you had a good experience and no further injury after a 3b tear. I had less severe tear than you, a 3a - apparently quite a mild 3a - and a generally traumatic experience. I think I’ll opt for a caesarean next time but one of my biggest fears is what happened to you - ie going into labour before the section! It’s good to hear it isn’t necessarily a disaster!

@Lily2020, just a quick update you might find reassuring. I had my birth debrief yesterday with a consultant (over the phone). We discussed future births, and she said she supports my choice to have a future birth by C section. She is including this in the debrief letter.
She explained that the risk of a third degree tear is 3% in first time births, but goes up to 7% if you’ve already had a tear. As she put it, it may sound a small risk, but it can be pretty awful for those who experience it.
Fingers crossed for you!

Oh, and congratulations OP!

Just an update for any ladies in a similar position to me. I had my scan yesterday at 13 weeks, I had already spoken to my midwife at my booking in appt at 8weeks & expressed my concerns & stated I wanted an ELCS. So after scan, bloods etc I was called in to speak to a doctor who just asked if it was because of the infections that I was requesting c section, I explained my reasons & had no problem whatsoever. He said he would book me in, then he realised they didn't have diary for Jan yet but we would set a date at 20 week appointment. 😊

Congratulations OP, brilliant news!