Terrified of going into labour early - ELCS

[inky1991]

Hi there.

So I am pregnant with my first (25 weeks) and have long-standing tokophobia.

From the get go I have requested elective c section due to my severe phobia of vaginal birth. I've been lucky in that I've had no push back and had my telephone appointment with the consultant the other day. I asked what happens if I go into labour early and she said to call up and I'll go in to the maternity unit and wait my turn in the queue for a section. Obv emergencies go first, so when I get my section would depend on how busy it is.

She did however tell me that if the baby is coming out I.e I'm starting to push then I will have to give birth vaginally. I understand the reasons for this, but I've come away from that convo feeling terrified that that's their way of saying I'm not guaranteed a section.

I know it's extremely unlikely that my first baby will come early and quickly, but the worry is now keeping me up at night that I will be this unlucky.

Can anyone give me any words of wisdom or experience to help me relax about this? I also have a fear I'll have a preterm baby and that if he comes very early they won't allow me a section either. I know I sound ridiculous, but my phobia of VBAC is off the scale, had it since I was 12. Didn't think I would be able to have kids until I knew ELCS were possible. I wish I wasn't like this.

Many thanks

I've had a very quick and a very slow labour, both ending in c sections.

Slow labour wasn't very painful, more boring than anything. I ate a lot of snacks and sat awkwardly in a birthing pool a lot. Baby tried to go out sideways (didn't turn properly) hence the c section. They had lots of time to try various things to give me the natural birth I'd wanted because it took so long.

Fast labour was really surreal because I didn't have time to really register what was happening 🤣. Baby got a bit distressed because he was barrelling out so fast but ultimately would have been fine I reckon if left to own devices.

If I was to do it again (small lottery win or a visit from the childcare fairy needed first) I'd do the following things again: hypnosis cd, tens machine, birthing pool, gas and air, Netflix and loads of snacks. A good birthing partner who will advocate for you is a must.

Even if you know you're having a c section try some hypnosis techniques and borrow a TENs machine if possible: they made me feel like I was more in control.

I went shopping beforehand for lovely smelling shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and gorgeous jersey nightwear and a dressing gown so that after the birth/op I'd be clean, fresh and looking like a human. Again, made me feel more in control.

I know quite a few c section and elective c section mums and think I'm the only one who went in to labour before their op date. And even then I still got a c section.

You're right about that.
Almost all rapid labours are uncomplicated.
I was booked for an elective section with my last baby and went into labour at 35 weeks.
He was still born by CS.
I'm a midwife and I would say that the vast majority of booked sections actually happen.

I was booked for a c section for 39 weeks and I went into labour a week before. Called the hospital and they told me to come straight in. I had to wait for 6 hours and then had my c section.

I was booked in for an elcs with my second and went into labour a week early. Labour progressed very quickly and I was 9cm within a couple of hours from the first twinge. Could have gone natural (and doctors really wanted me to for ease!) but I'd come to terms with a second section and that's what I wanted. Waited 3 hours for theatre.

First off congrats on your pregnancy.

Second it might be worth looking at some positive birth stories and some hypnobirthing techniques.

That's not to say you'll have your baby vaginally, it's more that the techniques might help quieten your anxiety. It might help you to feel a bit more control if, in the very unlikely circumstance, that plan z happens.

If it helps at all. I've had two quick vaginal births. Both uncomplicated. Neither left any lasting damage.

I don't have any advice, just solidarity because I'm 25 weeks pregnant with #2 after an ELCS for the first and absolutely TERRIFIED that she'll come early and I'll have to experience even a tiny bit of labour. Even the idea of a contraction makes me want to throw myself out of a window - vaginal birth sounds like something out of a horror film and I want no part of it.

It's reassuring to read some of the advice here, I'm trying really, really hard not to panic about it every day for the next 15ish weeks.

Don't worry. Fast first births are so incredibly rare. It's highly likely if you went into labour before your CS date (VERY unlikely!) you'd have plenty of time for a c-section.