Is it a bad idea to consider csection for 4th birth?

[POASthreadstarter]

Just a bit of background...
First birth, episiotomy and forceps but healed amazingly, no pain after, nothing.

Second birth, very quick labour, only just made it to the hospital in time. Tiny tear but no stitches required, still a very good recovery but took slightly longer than the first.

Third birth. We live nearly an hour away from the hospital and the last few months I was an anxious mess about getting to the hospital in time. Couldn't sleep, had panic attacks, midwives just kept saying I'd be fine. Ive always rejected induction but this time I gladly took it so I knew I'd be in hospital. They broke my waters and I had the most horrendous Labour. The pain was unbelievable and I thought I was dying. I felt totally out of control and just couldn't cope. I stopped myself pushing because I was scared. Total labour was 2 hours. Babys shoulder got stuck but luckily we were both fine. By some miracle I came away without any tears. The recovery was awful. I couldn't sit down for longer than 10 minutes for at least a month. I had awful pain in my coccyx for weeks, back pain and a prolapse. Baby is now 17 months and sex has only just started to feel normal where as with my other births I was back to it after 5/6 weeks pp.

I don't know why my third birth was so painful. The other 2 were obviously painful but it was manageable and I never felt out of control. The anxiety of getting to the hospital on time just ruined my last few weeks of pregnancy.

Anyway I'm now pregnant with a very very unplanned 4th. Would a c section be an option for me? Would it be mad after 3 vaginal births? Would I even be allowed? It's early days but already the anxiety of the quickness of Labour, getting to the hospital in time but the added scaredness of my last painful birth is really affecting me.

Of course it’s reasonable. Your feelings are just as valid for your fourth birth as any other one. I’m assuming based on your past that you will be under a consultant, so just raise the question from the start and persist.

Not at all unreasonable. I had an elcs for my second (final) baby. This followed dc1 birth which was extremely traumatic physically and mentally (4th degree tear).

Elcs was honestly an amazingly positive and calm experience and for me, recovery was a walk in the park compared to dc1.

Would I need to see a consultant due to the shoulder getting stuck? I haven't actually contacted the community midwives yet but I will mention about the csection straight away though. Am I likely to have to fight for one?

It was the induction that made it out of control painful for you. I didn’t realise this until I had my 4th without induction - the reason I NEEDED epidurals with the the first 3 was because I was induced every time. It is so so so much more painful than the natural labour, and it feels out of your control because it’s your body being forced into labour rather than doing it naturally. If you need to be induced this time have an epi and you’ll be fine. I wouldn’t have major surgery if you don’t need it and have already had 3 successful VBs.

@POASthreadstarter I’m not sure on the consultant; but I wouldn’t be surprised if the midwives won’t talk to you about it this early - pre pregnant, I was told I have to have a c section due to spinal injuries. I’m now 19 weeks and haven’t got a consultant and nobody will discuss birth options for another 6/8 weeks or so.

Although I’d agree with what @Enterthedragons said, this is my first but about five different people have warned me to avoid inductions if I can, as they make it far more painful!

I only had my waters broken though so I don't know if that makes a difference? It was strange because they broke my waters and within a few minutes, I was having full on extremely painful contractions every minute, lasting for about 90 seconds. One minute I wasn't in labour, the next I was!

The minute I checked in for induction with both of my pregnancies was the minute I lost control of my children's births. It's not just about the pain it's the whole sodding thing. Anyway yeah I can't imagine you'll have to fight for a section, just tell them your last baby had shoulder dystocia and you don't want to risk the next baby having it too. In my experience it's the midwives who try to talk you out of c sections and the consultants who couldn't really care less and will happily book you in for one.

yes, you will be allowed, you have the right to have an ELSC without a reason.
but having had a horrible birth last time you can definitely request one based on not wanting to go through any of that again!

I had ELSC with my 4th, though he was footling breech so there was no way I was considering anything else, I told that to the consultant before he tried to convince me🤣

request it, have it booked and don't let anyone rattle you, manipulate you or intimidate you. if this is what you want then get it

@Enterthedragons

I agree that induced labour and epidurals are kind of a package deal.

I only had my first two induced, but I had epidural for my last 3 as well (DS5, DD & DS6) despite going into labour naturally!
DS3 was ridiculously fast, born in 95 mins from first contraction.
DS4 was ELSC.

with DS5 I wrote "EPIDURAL!" with big red letters on every page of my birth plan. that was my whole birth plan!
the midwife was hilarious, she looked through all the pages then asked "so, have you thought about pain relief?"🤣🤣

I tell everyone about this but you can look up your hospital on here to see if you’re likely to come up against much of a fight www.birthrights.org.uk/campaigns-research/maternal-request-caesarean/
My hospital was rated ‘amber’ and I’ve had a section approved (first baby) with no real fight as such. I was just aware of my rights and didn’t say there was any doubt in how I’d be giving birth. For me it was the midwives who were more hell bent on me giving birth vaginally. You need to ask at the first appointment when you’ll get to speak to a consultant then just continually ask at every appointment after that. I let it get to 22 weeks and felt they were just wasting my time kidding on id get to speak to one ‘nearer the time’ so I told them how anxious I had now become due to this decision not being made. The midwife I had that day could see the sheer desperation in my face and put me straight on for a consultant appointment a few weeks later. I had the nice guidelines printed out as well as some of the facts off birth rights and my reasons. I felt I kind of had to play up to the mental health aspect of it, but to be fair it had gone on so long I really was very anxious about it. Playing on that in regards to your last birth and how you feel you’d have PND etc if you didn’t get the birth you wanted this time after that experience should be more than enough or a reason. As well as all of the physical recovery part you’ve described. My consultant really put up no fight and said (as the nice guidelines say) it wasn’t her job to tell me no. Hope you get it approved if that’s what you decide to go for x

I had a el c-section with my 4th as he was massive and I felt my pelvic floor wouldn’t cope and leave me —even more— prone to leaking wee when I cough.
All went well and I recovered fine.

Thanks so much for all of your replies and sharing your experiences. I'm going to call the midwife today to get an appointment. Those of you who've had sections. What was your recovery like compared to VB?

it was fine and tbh I recovered quicker from ELSC in all levels much faster than the traumatic birth & massive episiotomy with DS1.