Terrified of another quick delivery... Should I ask for a C-section?

[Notveryxmasy]

I'm pregnant with my second. DD was born in 4 hours from first contraction. When the midwife visited for day 5 check she said then 'so next time it'll be a home birth then'. I desperately don't want a home birth. There were 10 people in the room at DDs birth when her heart rate dropped and refused to come back up and she passed meconium; she was completely fine thank God but I've always felt incredibly grateful that all those people were there just in case and the idea of a home birth would never sit comfortably with me. But we live rurally, the hospital is 40 minutes away with no traffic, we'd have to wait for childcare to arrive for DD and I have these horrible visions of giving birth on the dual carriageway.
I'm genuinely considering asking for an elective c-section just to eliminate that worry.
How likely is that request going to be taken seriously by my midwives etc.?

You could ask for an induction, it would be likely to work. You have to feel comfortable with how you labour.
I opted for home births as I also give birth quickly - my first was a little over two hours and also passed meconium, it’s common for fast births to be quite stressful for the baby as well as us. If it helps, my second was my longest labour out of all my children as baby was back to back with a hand on his head, so he took over three and a half hours to come out. But, it doesn’t always follow that second babies come faster. Sometimes they are slower, and sometimes we are better at reading the signs, and more prepared to act quickly as we know now how we labour. I spent a lot of time with my older dc preparing them for the idea that I might suddenly give birth in front of them because of the speed of my labours, it seemed prudent. We never had time to arrange childcare so I’d put that consideration on a back burner, if you feel youre in labour and you want to go to a hospital, whenyou’ve got to go you’ve got to go I’d imagine.

My granddaughter was born at home because she arrived too quickly to get to hospital. The paramedics were there within minutes of her arriving and wizzed mum and baby up to hospital for a checkup. They brought them home within the hour!
As soon as you go into Labour, ring the hospital. If you feel baby is coming, ring 999. They will talk your dh through safe delivery

Just get in the car and go with Dd and Dh. He can stay in the car with her whilst someone collects her.

I know 2 mother’s that delivered quickly at home for first baby.

One was just around 30 minutes from first contraction, the ambulance didn’t get there in time.

Another one also had the baby at home because she arrived so quickly.

Both those mothers were taken in and induced before their due date for their later births. The MW was probably just making a joke about you being quicker with second baby so not making it to the hospital in time -clumsy of her but she probably wouldn’t have imagine it would leave you worrying for your second pregnancy. Discuss your fears with your MW and ask about early induction/C section.

My 1st was 3hrs and I just made it to the hospital in time. My 2nd was planned as a home birth as we are 30mins from the hospital and I know several friends who gave birth at the side of the road. In the event my husband delivered him as he arrived extremely quickly. Subsequent babies also arrived quickly. I would talk through your concerns with your midwife. Ours went through all the things that could happen and how they would deal with it, when they would suggest transferring to hospital, what would be different at home rather than in hospital. Our midwifes are also very experienced in home births as we live rurally and many opt for this here for similar reasons. Ask your midwife what their suggestion would be? It is a common issue.

I was the same in that baby 1 came in 4.5 hours but did also need to be resuscitated and I was pretty worried about going into labour and it being faster this time. I’m only 10 minutes from the hospital though!

We had some other complications so was under a consultant but I did discuss the possibility of a section with her for that reason and she said if I wanted a section I could have one. In the end we settled on an induction at 39 weeks. This time it was a super slow 5hours 50 minutes from breaking waters to birth!

Actually she had shoulder dystocia so again we also had an emergency alarm and people running in from everywhere. I’d never ever choose a home birth.

Anyway, I guess the point is that your concerns are completely valid. Speak to your midwife and if necessary ask to speak to a consultant. My experience is that a previous precipitous labour is something they will take into account when it comes to your birth plan.

Just go straight in the car with dd too you'll have to go in alone til someone collects her from hosptial car park but better that than a home birth if that's not what you want.
I've had two caesarean albeit it emergencies I wouldn't recommend them to anyone

@Notveryxmasy it’s your right under the human rights act to request a c section and they can’t refuse you if that’s your wish. NHS hospitals are no longer allowed to target c sections either. So if it’s what you want, you just need to communicate this clearly to your midwife. Good luck x

I would plan for a homebirth over a c section any day. Also means you're ready if you go into labour early. Mjdwives come to you so would be quicker than maybe you waiting for childcare and getting to hospital.

Midwives will let you plan a c sec for any reason you want though.

@TrooBloo

Just get in the car and go with Dd and Dh. He can stay in the car with her whilst someone collects her.

OP, I had this when pregnant with DC2. We made it to hospital but only just Dc2 arrived 15 minutes after we got there. We just took DC1 with us and in the end a healthcare assistant watched DC1 so DP didn't miss the birth as it was so quick.

For me, I didn't want a c section and it was the first covid lockdown so they weren't guaranteeing ambulance backups for home births so I vetoed that as well. Don't be pressured into a home birth if you don't want one. If the midwives get held up you could end up giving birth at home alone. Talk to your community midwife sooner rather than later and ask what all your different options are.: c section, induction etc.

One thing I was offered was that when I went in to labour, the community midwife could come round and check whether there was time to make it to hospital, then follow behind in her car (then at least you're giving birth on the side of the road with a midwife). They also said to phone the labour ward and say I had a history of precipitate labour and TELL them that I was coming in (rather than asking them if I should come in). We did that in the end, didn't wait for the midwife.

Also you always have the option of dialling 999. Don't forget that.

C section recovery is awful and wrecks your tummy. Quick v birth trumps c section for me.

My first baby was less than 3 hours from first contraction to birth so I had all these fears. Had decided on home birth but un the end needed induction because my waters broke and labour didn’t start. Anyway second labour was 2 hours, so shorter than the first but plenty of time to get to hospital. I was imagining it would be like 10 mins but was remarkably similar to the first time.

My first was 4.5 hours and second was 1hr 45. I did have a home birth but had a straightforward first birth. I think asking for an induction or c section makes sense.

6th dc was less than 2 hours start to finish.. Never crossed my mind to ask for a csection next time.
Last dc I did have an emcs. Never understand how anyone prefers one tbh!!

[quote HopefulRose]@Notveryxmasy it’s your right under the human rights act to request a c section and they can’t refuse you if that’s your wish. NHS hospitals are no longer allowed to target c sections either. So if it’s what you want, you just need to communicate this clearly to your midwife. Good luck x[/quote]
I've had 2 c-sections granted at my request, no medical reason. Your midwife will refer you to a consultant for a birth options meeting where they will go over the risks involved to ensure you are aware of what you're requesting/opting for.

I think a c section is a good choice for you given your circumstances.

@Easterbunnyiswindowshopping

6th dc was less than 2 hours start to finish.. Never crossed my mind to ask for a csection next time. Last dc I did have an emcs. Never understand how anyone prefers one tbh!!

This. C sections are major surgery!

The midwives said the same to me after both my births. First was 6 hours and second was under 3 hours.

I'd have loved a home birth and if I were you I'd really talk through how it works with your midwife. In general midwives who do home births are very experienced and really know how to deal with the unexpected. They will also have procedures for when things get complicated. Everyone I know who's had one had a good experience, even those who had to be transferred (including my mum with me)

I really wouldn't have a c section. My quickest birth was the most beautiful water birth. I felt amazing after it and we were home 4 hours after she was born. We were ready to go 2 hours post birth but I wanted a shower and needed to do a bigger wee for them.

When I had dc 3 at 6 am I collected dc 1 and 2 from school at 3.30.
After a csection I needed escorting to the loo!! Why choose that??

I've had 2 c sections and would recommend them to everyone! Fabulous experiences

Just to add, because I was so quick we had multiple childcare options in place for our eldest when I had number 2.

Grandparents were the main one and would take over from any emergency ones asap. Our next door neighbour was on call to pop round day or night. I had another local friend who was also on call.

Ask around, my experience is people are very willing to help with this. I've offered for so many of my friends as well. Sometime we have a few 'get to know you sessions' with the child in advance too.

I was in a similar position as very fast first stage labour before stalling and needing a ventouse. 2nd stage was longer than first stage for both my births.

2nd baby I was induced, although mostly because baby was measuring big and we'd had some reduced movements and it made labour much less stressful (and painful) than being in the car for most of it...

All my babies were quick labours. First 2.5 second and third both under an hour. I had the second at home with a paramedic as couldn’t get to hospital and the third at home planned. I did ask for a c section bu they said no and was offered an induction that I didn’t need.