Elective C Section

[gylly91]

Currently thinking about TTC with DH...however my huge phobia of childbirth is causing me so much anxiety and stress that I've been in tears almost daily recently despite not even being pregnant yet. I've had this phobia since early teenage years, however now I'm at the age where the reality of having children is setting in, I actually don't know if I can go through with it unless I know I will be offered elective CS.

The uncertainty of it all is too much, I want to look forward to the next chapter of my life and the idea of having a baby is completely clouded over by my fear. I've researched both natural labour a CS more than I could explain. I'm embarrassed this makes me a weak person, where I'm not in other areas of my life, I'm also scared of judgement from everyone. However nothing scares me more than the idea of natural labour, and whatever form that may take. The idea of not being in control, traumatising long pain, not being given a epidural, inductions, tearing, forceps, PND etc....

The point I'm trying to make is, is there any way I can be refused elective CS? I have anxiety and depression all over my medical history....I don't want to get pregnant and be refused. It would be too much for me to handle.

Would like to hear anyone else's experience with this. Thank you

Hi there OP, I'm sorry you're struggling with this. I will say I've had an EMCS and it makes you feel completely out of control and recovery is rough, however, I'm not going to lecture you. I'm sure if you explained to your midwife how you're feeling then maybe you could have an appointment with a consultant. Explain that you're really struggling and don't feel like you could do it without a C section. I hope you get the answer you're hoping for.

With the current guidelines you are unlikely to be refused. You'll be given an appointment with a consultant somewhere around halfway through pregnancy. Theyll listen to your reasons, discuss the risks etc. If they aren't happy to sign it off, they can refer you to another consultant.
Plenty of women have elcs for tokaphobia.
It's possible theyll want you to have some form of couselling during pregnancy to talk through it.

Hey, fellow tokophobic here.
There is a Facebook group for people with tokophobia which can give you a fair amount of support, if you search for it in FB, or send me a on and I'll invite you.

I've had two lovely children via elective section because of Toko, I didn't have a problem obtaining a section, but I think it was very obvious with me that it would be needed. I needed and was given support in pregnancy and am very grateful for the by help I received.

Nothing weak about knowing what would make bringing your baby into the world a stress-free, safe environment 😊

Both of my DDs were elective sections. I don't cope well with anything gynae related, so with DD1 when the midwife was going to give me a sweep I couldn't relax enough for her to do it, and during a blood test (at 39 weeks 😂) when another nurse asked how I was I burst out crying and told her I was frightened of natural labour, and she was amazing! She got me an appointment with the consultant for the following day. The consultant asked why I wanted an ELCS and I explained my anxiety she agreed it was best and went through the paperwork there and then, then had to ring the hospital to rush me in for a pre-op as I'd decided this at the eleventh hour!

For DD2 my request for ELCS was granted as if you've had one they prefer you to have another.

Hope this helps 😊

I have recently (only a few days ago) been granted a c section. I don't have Toko, but anxiety about it. It was a very easy conversation and they booked me in for pre-op straight away!

If your consultant says no, just ask to be referred to another, as is your right.

Which hospitals are you at? I want to ask for an elective section due to these same reasons but feel like il be laughed at or brushed off, even the thought of asking is making my anxiety about it worse. I can’t even talk about being pregnant yet. I think until I know how to speak about it I’m going to continue in denial