Refused elective section.....help!

[Fscogirl]

Hi everyone just looking for advice or if anyone has similar experiences?

I'm due my second baby this July. My little girl is 2 and I had a really long birth with her and its really made me anxious about this impending birth.

I went into labour myself with strong contractions but wouldn't dilate on my own at all. Ended up with pessary, drip, epidural that only lasted 3 hours with no other pain relief and a second degree tear front and back and stitches only a consultant would attempt to do. From first contraction to baby arriving was 4 days I dont particularly have faith in the hospital im going to again as it just felt such a bad experience (although forever grateful for my healthy little girl).

On top of that we run a busy diary farm and trying to get cover for my OH is always difficult as well as looking after my elderly father in law with dementia who we need notice for repsite for at time of birth.

I asked for a referral to consultant who was very sympathetic towards my situation but in her words "I refuse to put my patient through major surgery for the needs of others and this birth will be quicker anyway".

I came off the phone in tears with a referral for birth reflections, a letter from the consultant to social work that I should have 6 weeks cover for caring around the birth and another app with her in a months time.

I'm still absolutely gutted she said no about a section, she did offer induction but I do not want to be placed on a drip again! I can't seem to get over the fear and anxiety of it but can't help but think I'm going to be refused again

Has anyone experienced similar based in Scotland? Sorry for the massive essay!

Have you asked to be referred to a different consultant?

I would suggest leaving your other commitments out of it and then advocate for yourself. If you don't stand up for yourself, nobody else will I'm afraid.

I'd ask for another consultant

I didn’t know they were allowed to outright refuse an elective.
I had to ask a good few times with my first in Scotland but I was given it, this time the midwife seems to be pushing me to go for an elective again.

It is possible that the only parts she absorbed were your concerns about the farm and your caring commitments, interpreted that to mean you were being pushed into a csection by others and therefore thinks she is helping you by a) protecting you from that pressure (hence the comment) and b) helping you with the social care referral (solving the problem without major surgery).

They were distracting elements to include and not really an appropriate reason on their own for section, which is what she said to you.

So go back, ask to be seen by another consultant and don't bring that stuff into it just the actual reasons you're anxious about birth due to your previous experiences.

I'm not sure they're allowed to refuse you. They can certainly give advice and make sure you knows the pros and the cons of your choice but, at tr end of the day, it's your choice. Ask for another constant and focus on the anxiety aspect re previous birth. Good luck

Terrible. Sorry you’re dealing with this. No, they can’t refuse you. Look up the Shrewsbury report, and the sections with clear guidelines stating that women must be allowed flexibility and choice. Highlight them and share them with your consultant.

I’m sure there will be NICE guidelines on this too.

Unfortunately with NHS you do have to take control of your own health sometimes, and using their own literature to support your case is often the best way, or at least I’ve found that to be true.

They can't refuse you! Keep pushing. Utterly terrible. You should be able to give birth however the fuck you want!

Here’s an article about the report: www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/health/shrewsbury-maternity-scandal/shrewsbury-maternity-scandal-nhs-babies-deaths-natural-birth-a9212636.html%3famp

I’m not suggesting that this could happen to you- but this is good backup to help make your case.

I don't think they are allowed to refuse you. Check the NICE guidelines.

There is an organisation in England which helps with this - www.birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/right-to-a-c-section/. There doesn't seem to be a Scottish equivalent but they should be able to advise. I think you should be able to speak to another consultant if the first refuses.

I had an elective c-section in Scotland last year. It was partly medically requested and partly on my preference. In any meetings with consultants, I just calmly explained that that was my preference, listened to the chat you get about risks etc and considered them but was clear that I wanted a c-section. Be very clear, calm and firm during discussions.

This actually infuriates me. I like to think I've never taken the piss out of the NHS, but I tore so badly with both my boys that I had to have a vaginoplasty and full anterior repair when my second was about ten months old; the consultant told me unequivocally that I could not have a vaginal delivery if I had a third. I thought at that time that it was a very remote contingency, but became pregnant for a third time two years later 🙄 and mentioned almost in passing that I would of course need a c section per the consultant's 'edict'.
The resistance I got was unbelievable. The second time I went to the hospital, I was told that I was worrying unnecessarily because I 'might not tear'. I replied that after all I'd been through, I wanted a fucking guarantee I wouldn't tear, and a c section would provide that. I pointed out that, while c sections were undoubtedly expensive, I had presumably been more expensive when I'd had to stay in hospital for a week each time, with a shredded fanny. No dice.
Third time, and at 38 weeks, I went armed with NICE guidelines which state you cannot be refused a c section and took my bf's mum who takes no shit. I'd hardly started talking when the (Greek or Cypriot) doctor interrupted me to say I absolutely had to have the section and the dogged resistance I'd experienced was just one more reason he found British doctors baffling. I burst into tears and he wordlessly pushed the tissues towards me and got on the phone. Absolute legend. If I had anything to leave I'd make provision for him in my will.
So, 'grey rock' as MN'ers say. Just keep repeating: "I've made an informed choice and would like the c section afforded to me according to NICE guidelines. I don't want to discuss it further."
Good luck.

Thank you so much for all advice everyone....

I do think maybe she has concentrated on just the external circumstances surrounding me rather than my extreme fear of giving birth again. So at next telephone appointment I will need to have my big girl pants on and tell her straight and if still resistance ask for another consultant!

I was having a particularly emotional week after my grandmother being hospitalised and a family friend passing away so I feel I probably wasn't stern enough with my wishes. What annoys me more is I explained to her I knew the risks as my retired dad worked on sections for years and we've had multiple conversations about it!

Hi, I’m in Scotland too 🙋🏼‍♀️ Sorry you had such a terrible experience first time round. I’m pregnant with my first, due August and I have spent my whole life fearing exactly what you’ve described happen. From my 6 week appointment I have requested a section and been sooo anxious about it the whole way through. I said it again at 16 weeks then had a different midwife at 22 weeks so told her the whole story again about how there was just no possibility I was allowing it to happen and I was barely sleeping for worrying about this decision being made. She took me seriously and referred me to a consultant. My appointment is later this month and I have prepared a typed up letter to read out at the appointment about my anxiety, particularly focusing on how I would be left after the birth if I was to be forced to give birth vaginally. Have highlighted that I would struggle to bond with baby and suffer post natal depression as a result, as well as the fact it’s not good for the baby at the moment for me to be this anxious about it all. Go on birth rights and look up your hospital to see how they’re rated and what they replied to the freedom of information request. Only one in Scotland was rated green so unless you’re Dumfries and Galloway it looks like none are great 🙄 but as others have said they are not allowed to choose how you give birth. It’s your baby, your body, your choice and as stated in the NICE guidelines if your consultant isn’t willing to perform a c section for you, they must refer you to someone who will if you have weighed up the risks of both options. If I were you I’d get a lot of info off of birth rights, print the nice guidelines and type up a letter in support of you having a section then ask for an appointment with someone asap to discuss your section. Say you’re not eating/sleeping etc since you have been given that decision and it is constantly worrying you. Good luck, hope you get it!

www.birthrights.org.uk/campaigns-research/maternal-request-caesarean/

This happened to me a few weeks ago. Was refused and booked for an induction on the 29th. I was a wreck. Due to previous traumatic birth I was convinced I was going to die in labor.
Had a will sorted for my dd the lot.

Ended up having a 2 hour labor. 4 pushes, he was out and no stitches/nothing. Lost a litre of blood but no transfusion needed. The doctor said, if I had a section, I probably would have bled a lot more etc.
Baby was predicted a lot heavier so I was a wreck worrying about shoulder dystocia.

In hindsight I'm glad I didn't need a section but remember, at any sight of problem they will rush you to theatre.

However, your anxiety shouldn't be ignored and even though mine had a good outcome, we can't predict our births and if you feel a section is best for you, then ask for a second opinion, and take it further