Spontaneous labour?

[chickenslovechickens]

I am 23 weeks pregnant with my 2nd DC. With my first ( 3 years ago) I was induced due to thyroid issues. 3 day induction, horrible haemorrhaging after giving birth, episiotomy, traumatic experience. I lived in London at the time but now live in Essex. Recently had a call with consultant about my birth plan, discussed induction or c-section and was told point blank no to both. They said I would have to go into spontaneous labour with this one? I naturally am terrified after my last experience. Is there anything I can do to make it easier or get them to change their mind? I explained my previous experience and worries to them but they just said haemorrhaging was likely caused by the long induction and a c-section also has a greater risk of haemorrhaging.

I'm not an expert on this sort of scenario but was there a legitimate medical reason for denying you a c section? It's not clear from your post that there was and i think you have the right to have one if so.

Hopefully someone elsexwill be along soon but I'd push for a second opinion maybe.

@TaraR2020

I'm not an expert on this sort of scenario but was there a legitimate medical reason for denying you a c section? It's not clear from your post that there was and i think you have the right to have one if so.

Hopefully someone elsexwill be along soon but I'd push for a second opinion maybe.

Thanks for your reply. They just said that as I had a natural birth previously then there was no grounds for a c-section. They also said high risk of infection etc with c-section so isn't an option

From my understanding that's no reason to deny you a c section, you're within your rights to ask for one and especially with your previous birth experience.
Again unless someone with better knowledge can contradict me, I'd kick up about this.

For clarity, I'm assuming when they talk about a higher risk of infection with a c section vs vbirth they mean generally and not related to specifically to you, which would put a different slant on it.

Either way, you're unhappy and feel dismissed, so seek a second opinion. Can you talk to your gp or midwife about this?

It is your right to demand a c section if that’s what you want. I would ask to speak to another doctor personally.

Legally they cannot deny you a c section. It is your choice how you give birth, they are obliged to explain the risks and benefits and then you can make an informed choice. If they aren't prepared to perform an ELCS then they need to refer you to someone who will.

I have spoken to my midwife about it previously and she said it would be unlikely for them to agree to me having a planned c-section even though I had complications last time. I do have private health care with Aviva so might give them a call to see if I can get a 2nd opinion. From what I heard from friends/family, I didn't think it was uncommon to elect for a c-section if you've previously had complications

@addler

Legally they cannot deny you a c section. It is your choice how you give birth, they are obliged to explain the risks and benefits and then you can make an informed choice. If they aren't prepared to perform an ELCS then they need to refer you to someone who will.

This was what I thought, I'm glad someone else concurs.

Kick up a stink op, it's your body and child and you have to live with both for the rest of your life.

Thank you all for your advice and replies, it is gratefully received. I will be pushing for a planned section when I next speak to the consultant, since I am in my legal rights to do so

@chickenslovechickens have a look at the birthrights website, you are entitled to a c section if that’s what you want. A consultant can say no but must refer you.

@chickenslovechickens which Essex hospital is it? They absolutely cannot deny you a section.

For reference, I had a major haemorrhage in my emcs (in Essex) and was told I could have an elective which would be smoother with baby 2 (no baby yet!) if I chose to.

[quote Chanel05]@chickenslovechickens which Essex hospital is it? They absolutely cannot deny you a section.

For reference, I had a major haemorrhage in my emcs (in Essex) and was told I could have an elective which would be smoother with baby 2 (no baby yet!) if I chose to. [/quote]
It's Basildon hospital

@chickenslovechickens I had my daughter at Basildon too.

They are actually being investigated due to the high number of sections they do, it's around 40% per birth each month, most hospitals are 20% ish. They prefer sections to go to emergency status so they can show it wasn't a procedure that they didn't 'need' to perform. One of the reasons their maternity care and obstetrics were rated inadequate in most recent inspections.

OP, it's a while since I went through it but when you have the discussion, be firm and make it clear that you have considered the options, know about maternal choice and have decided that you definitely want to opt for a section. If they sniff any bit of indecision, they may try to change your mind.

I had exactly same experience as you op first birth , due to PE plus 7 weeks in hospital
but went on to have a spontaneous birth 2 years later 3 weeks early ,with no intervention, no pain relief etc and it was actually a lovely birth, over in 4 hours.

@bruffin

I had exactly same experience as you op first birth , due to PE plus 7 weeks in hospital but went on to have a spontaneous birth 2 years later 3 weeks early ,with no intervention, no pain relief etc and it was actually a lovely birth, over in 4 hours.

Thanks for your response! It's good to hear your positive experience with your 2nd birth. Can I ask, how did you know it was the right time to go to the hospital especially as it happened so fast? 3 weeks early... was the baby healthy?

I had a show about 6pm waters broke, and started having contractions , called the hospital who said come in. Got there about 8 and i had a bit of a temperature so they said stay in labour ward and she was born at 10.45. Her only problem was positional talipes from being stuck under my ribs. Had to do some massages of her feet for a few weeks but they are fine.She is 24 next week.

You need to be direct and request an elective section. They don't get to 'deny' you anything, it's your choice.

[quote Chanel05]@chickenslovechickens I had my daughter at Basildon too.

They are actually being investigated due to the high number of sections they do, it's around 40% per birth each month, most hospitals are 20% ish. They prefer sections to go to emergency status so they can show it wasn't a procedure that they didn't 'need' to perform. One of the reasons their maternity care and obstetrics were rated inadequate in most recent inspections. [/quote]
Oh gosh, I didn't know that about Basildon. I haven't been overly impressed with the service I've received so far tbh. Surprising then that they are pushing for a natural birth opposed to a planned section. Definitely something for me to think about

[quote Chanel05]@chickenslovechickens I had my daughter at Basildon too.

They are actually being investigated due to the high number of sections they do, it's around 40% per birth each month, most hospitals are 20% ish. They prefer sections to go to emergency status so they can show it wasn't a procedure that they didn't 'need' to perform. One of the reasons their maternity care and obstetrics were rated inadequate in most recent inspections. [/quote]
Sorry I misread your post. I see they prefer emergency sections rather than planned. That just seems irresponsible to me. I would love to have a natural straight forward birth but I just can't see that happening. I'm just going to have to be firm with them

@chickenslovechickens definitely be firm! To be honest though, they totally ignored many of my wishes. They were inspected again last September when I was in having my daughter actually.

They don’t have to agree to the section however they should refer you to someone who will. I will say to you though, your first experience sounds almost identical to mine. I was left with ptsd after my previous birth. I went into Labour myself on the second the day before my induction. The birth was like night and day. Didn’t feel any pain (early epidural) but I did get another epistomy (midwife worried scar from last one would not hold) and I also unfortunately did haemorrhage as I had a retained placenta. BUT the recovery was not as bad this time. Baby came out without much pushing and didn’t need a forceps, the birth was so much more pleasant. I do urge you to seek therapy before this birth if you were left terrified. I really wish I did as I was very anxious in the lead up and bits of the actual birth purely because of the last time. This birth would have been quite lovely to be honest minus the past baggage I carried with me. Don’t get me wrong I was still terrified going toilet after this birth(the fear of bursting stitches ect) but it was nothing like the previous time at all. In a way the birth was somewhat healing to me if that makes sense as the last one had been so so bad and it was all I knew so expected more of the same. If a c section is what you want, you are entitled to get it once there isn’t a really good reason to not.

[quote Chanel05]@chickenslovechickens definitely be firm! To be honest though, they totally ignored many of my wishes. They were inspected again last September when I was in having my daughter actually. [/quote]
I am new to the area so not sure what the procedures are like here after you give birth. In London, I got a home visit from a midwife the day after I was discharged from the hospital, totally unexpected at 9am in the morning. Is it the same here? Do they just turn up on your doorstep unannounced?

@chickenslovechickens I was in the Cedar Ward (post-natal) for nearly a week and was desperate to go home. They told me I could go home at 3am and my husband came straight to hospital to collect me and we were in bed by 4am after feed, nappy and drive home. Midwife arrived at 9am that same day, literally 6 hours after discharge.

If you need any information about baby groups in the area then give me a pm as I may be able to help, depending on where you live.