Anyone had an ELCS at North Tees Hospital?

[ELCSPlease]

Just looking for experiences really

I'll be requesting an ELCS due to birth injuries from my first birth, but I've healed well overall so not sure how easily I'll be granted one.

Little bump!

Not sure this helps at all- probably not- but I had 2 ELCS at Darlington Memorial which I believe is in the same trust. I had a great experience both times- pre-Covid of course- my advice is just to be clear about what you want. Be aware afterwards you won't be able to pick up baby for feeds due to the anaesthetic so don't be afraid to buzz for help!

Should have added my Electives were both maternal request, rather than previous issues so I would have thought with previous birth injuries you would be likely to be granted one.

I would think you would get one relatively easily because it’s not your first and you had a bad experience previously. I am due my first in the summer (different hospital) but I am requesting an elective section. I went on the birth rights website and on the c section part they have sent a freedom of information request to every hospital asking how many c sections were performed that year due to requests and not medical reasons. They have also rated each hospital red amber or green based on how well they follow NICE guidelines. I am 23 weeks and my reasons are mainly anxiety around the entire thing. It’s been my biggest fear for my whole life and I’m just certain I’d die giving birth naturally 🙈 It’s really been bothering me not knowing what’s happening up til now but I had a midwife appointment this week with someone different and explained it all to her to see what should happen next. She could see how anxious the whole thing makes me and is forwarding my concerns to a consultant who will give me a telephone consultation to discuss a section. I made it very clear natural birth by any means was not an option so I wouldn’t see the point in doing a hypnobirthing course etc. I said I don’t think they’ll ever have had anyone who is this petrified and certain about how they’ll be giving birth 🙈 It is entirely your right to choose. She was very supportive and said if the consultant says no in any way (which she said he won’t when he hears me) I’ve to ask to be referred to a different consultant and stick to my guns to give birth the way I want. She said I’m so phobic that if they forced me into doing it naturally my cervix just wouldn’t dilate because I’d be so tense and anxious about the whole thing. Good luck, hope you get one sorted x

Hi OP

Firstly nice to read you're a fellow Teessider!

I had an ELCS there last month. I had a traumatic birth the first time, forceps, pre eclampsia, episiotomy, sepsis, PP haemorrhage, 2DT and retained placenta. I was at JC hospital for my first so chose NT to avoid being triggered.

I was consultant led this time due to the PE last time so told them straight away I wanted an ELCS due to my previous birth. They told me it was fine and would check in at 32 weeks to see if that's what I still wanted, they did recommend a vaginal birth but understood my concerns. Told me the risks of c section as opposed to vaginal etc. At 32 weeks, they tried to offer me counselling (I declined as I had private counselling anyway and stood my ground that I would not be changing my mind on the ELCS). After that they booked me in and I had my pre op assessment at 37 weeks. I had my DD at 39 weeks and 1 day, I was the first in and she was in my arms at 9am that morning!

I have to say NT hospital were absolutely amazing with me. I was so upset going down to theatre worrying I was going to have a terrible experience / everything was going to go wrong again. Every single person in that room, put me immediately at ease. The main surgeon actually told the team to take a seat for 5 minutes as they were not in a rush at all. He talked me through the procedure, whilst checking my legs and body with the cold spray following the spinal and I was fine. Weirdly enough it was a nice experience and having a nice birth and seeing my DDs little face over the screen has been the final piece to heal me. I will treasure that moment forever.

It took me 3 months to recover from my first baby, I'm 3 weeks PP now and I feel pretty normal. I had no issues at all during the c section and was discharged the following day. I would say as soon as you're ready to move, do it. Take the painkillers they give you. I took what they offered me, kept the dose up and was moving fully around after 7 hours following the c section. I hate catheters so much - I was desperate to get that out and just be at home. My DP came in with me at 6am on the day and was able to stay until visiting hours stopped which was 8pm. They can't leave the ward at all though (not sure how far along you are, hopefully these guidelines will be more relaxed for you)

Sorry for the essay! My advice would be to stand your ground on the c section. I did get one pretty easy compared to other people's experiences. Even though they recommended a vaginal birth and counselling for me, they still listened and once I was much firmer they backed right off. I don't want anymore children but if I was, I'd definitely go down the elective route again. Best of luck and congratulations on your pregnancy

@Acunningruse so good to hear you had a positive experience at Darlington! Thank you for taking the time to reply

@sarah13xx the info regarding the birth rights website is very interesting, I'll look on there today. Thank you
I'm very happy you've been granted your request, good luck!

@Anyat212 hello! 👋🏻 ah I'm so glad that someone who's been to that particular hospital has replied, I wasn't actually expecting anyone
No thank you so much for the essay! It's really put me at ease, I appreciate your thorough reply. I'm so glad that your second birth healed you from your first, it's so hard to deal with the trauma. I'm not too bad when I think back to my last birth, I managed to deal with it quite well, but the thought of having a repeat makes me so anxious and because that's been my only experience I can't imagine anything else.
If you don't mind me asking, who was your consultant? My appointment is with Dr Dolon Basu.
This baby won't be coming until October so not sure what restrictions will be in place then but it's a relief to see that your DH could stay with you for so long.

Nothing to do with North Tees, but generally if you have decided on an ELCS...

Ask if they have a VBAC clinic. Title is a bit misleading, but I found it very useful to discuss birth 1 with a specialist m/w, what went wrong, is it likely to happen again, can it be prevented. What are the risks of a VBAC vs the risks of an ELCS.

Now I know you aren’t considering a VBAC, but honestly the easiest way to get one is to show clearly that you have considered all the risks, have thought through your options, and made an informed decision based on your own situation.

If you try and demand a CS with no reasoning it is their duty to try and make you understand the risks, so they will keep trying to get you to consider a VBAC and it turns into a bit of a battle.

Show you have listened and understand, and your medical team will sign off happy that you have made the best decision for you.

@ELCSPlease

I'm glad it's put you at ease! Fingers crossed by October restrictions will be a lot easier for you. I'm sure they will be open to your concerns though, I was talking to another woman who had an ELCS who was in the post natal room with me and she opted for one due to an episiotomy. I have no idea if she battled for one though.

My consultant was Dr Donna Fincham, I think I only seen her twice (height of covid when I was pregnant). The specialist midwife was lovely there as well so you could potentially see her as well. I don't think I had any contact with your consultant though, the name doesn't sound familiar.