Maternal request C Section

[sorchaedwards]

Hi there

I have very recently found out I'm pregnant, after a long fertility journey (was just about to be put on IVF waist list). We are obviously over the moon, but unfortunately I have tokophobia and have had it since early teenage years. I can't even talk, read or watch anything about childbirth without crying or wanting to throw up.

I have always told myself I would have elective C Section, as all the guidelines say I shouldn't be refused. However, I am now in panic mode at the potential long and anxious road of me having to put up a fight to get what I want. This baby feels like a miracle and I want to enjoy this pregnancy more then anything, the anxiety of not knowing if I will be allowed ELCS would be horrendous.

I was just wondering if anyone has any recent experiences of MRCS? I know in February, NHS England were told to drop C Section targets and to allow all requests even if not medical. Obviously this seems good news, but I was wondering what anyones experience has been with it in the recent months? Has anyone had any roadblocks, difficulties or even rejections since the new guidelines came into place?

I would hope it's all getting much easier with less judgement involved, but I honestly don't know as nothing is written in law.

Appreciate any feedback

Many thanks

@AHalfWarmedFish that’s such good odds - one in 30 years! I felt like my last pregnancy was completely riddled with anxiety over the whole thing. I didn’t enjoy a second of it despite it actually being an easy pregnancy in every other sense. I posted on here for reassurance once and it was as if the c-section haters were desperate for me to not be able to have one. My post was just littered with comments saying I would have to make a plan B, what if I went into labour, what if the staff weren’t available etc. It’s so not helpful to add fuel to the fire when someone is already mentally going through daily hell over something like this though. This time round I’m just not entertaining it, I’m telling myself it will go the same as last time and there won’t be any dramas 🙌🏼

@Goodnewsday i created a thread about a maternal request c section a while ago and got bombarded with how I’d meet all this residence, come armed with facts, might go into labour early etc. So far my midwife has been nothing but a dream - suggested an elective c section herself for me (it’s my first baby, I’m just TERRIFIED of birth), I’ve had nothing but encouragement from the midwives about it all and they’ve all been so postive about it all and completely reassuring that whatever happens (unless I go into very early labour) I will get my c section no matter what.
hopefully anyone else on here can be reassured that it really isn’t as bad as mumsnet makes out!

@Mumm1993 its weird because it’s a phobia the same as anyone else. You wouldn’t get someone coming on scared of flying and have people replying about how their plane nearly went down once or all the odds about plane crashes. People would just say you’ll be fine, don’t worry! I found the same in real life last time and it was as if people couldn’t actually believe you were ‘allowed’ to have a section and wanted it to go badly for me so there was some sort of drama. I’m one of the only people I know not to really have any big birth story. I went in on the day they said and my baby was born, end of! There was no emergency alarms or excessive blood loss. This time I’ve mentally been able to block it out a lot more and it seems people are a lot less bothered by how you give birth the second time, especially when you kind of have a proper ‘reason’ when you’ve already had a section before. I’m just trying to live in my own little bubble until the date comes and avoid talking to anyone about it that might give me their opinion on how I should give birth 😊

@Mumm1993

I had my first baby December 2021. I had an elective section and they went to question me and my first answer was 'my anxiety and mental health' and with that they left it & said they'll agree. I was absolutely convinced something would go wrong with a vaginal birth. Section was the most magical day and I still get jealous of people having them 🤣

I was talked into an induction at my 36 week consultant appointment, rang up the following day after getting myself into a state about vaginal birth and they got me in the following day and booked a section for 5 days after my induction date purely due to space.

I had GD with estimated 10lb+ baby (born 8lb 6oz) and was sent a letter stating risks of natural so they didn't reallyyyyy have a leg to stand on.

I was sent into hospital for monitoring at 34 weeks after a midwife appointment and had to be 'released' by a consultant. He came by and asked me my birth plan and I said section - he asked why and I said high birth weight, chances of him being stuck, tearing and stillbirth - and he said 'absolutely best choice and very informed' - a sign a of relief as that was my first discussion about a section with anyone. He was the gentleman that delivered my son, purely by chance 🥰