C-section after 2 natural births

[mumofboys8787]

This is going to be a long one...

I am due my 3rd baby in July and have an almost 2yr old and almost 4yr old. Both born vaginally without intervention.

I had obstetric cholestasis with both previous pregnancies, induced with DC1 at 38w and had a sweep with DC2 at 38w. Both worked quickly and boys born the next day. However - although both births from the outside were "uncomplicated" - due to the fact that OC brings a (arguably significant depending on which consultant you speak to) risk of stillbirth, I had to be monitored the entire time throughout both births, I wasn't allowed to walk around, not allowed in the water or the bath, couldn't leave the bed let alone the room and during the pushing stage of both births the alarm was sounded as baby's heart rate wasn't stable, and I was told both times that if baby didn't come in the next few pushes I would be prepped immediately for an emergency section. Anyone from the outside looking in would say they were good births, the boys are healthy and I didn't need any pain relief with either, but the experience for me was horrific, to the point that it almost made me not want another child and risk doing it all again. I spent the entire birth absolutely terrified that my baby was going to be born without a heartbeat, the fact that the hospital staff take it so seriously is a brilliant thing, but as a mother giving birth it was terrifying. I spent the entire birth of my second child wishing I'd just had a c section which, although has its own obvious risks, is statistically safer for women with OC.

I've decided that I don't want to go through it again and I want to have a c section this time.

What arguments (if any) will I face from my consultant - we have a meeting at 29w gestation to come up with a plan, and what advice / words of warning can anyone give me with regards to a c section. I am clueless to them really having never even considered one before, but all I know is that I want to do whatever it takes to get my baby here safely. If it means a tougher recovery for me then so be it. I have a very supportive family and my husband is incredibly hands on, and runs his own businesses so can stay home for as long as he needs to post birth, so no concerns there.

Thanks for reading and sorry it was so long!

Sorry I forgot to add, the consultant has already informed me that the likelihood of contracting OC again after having it in both previous pregnancies is <95%. Even if it doesn't show up in tests (I didn't get it before until 37w both times) I have already decided that I will treat the birth as if I do have it, because to do anything otherwise seems naive on my part and I know i'll just spend the entire birth thinking "I've got it they just haven't caught it yet".

You don’t need to give a reason at all. Just tell them you want a section. Good luck, my section was the best experience of my life!!

I had one and my ‘reason’ was just anxiety. There’s lots on helpful info on the birth rights website. They will read you out the risks, many of which at mine were quite exaggerated and no risks whatsoever of a vaginal birth were read out. The risks are the risks of an emergency c-section and people who have been in all sorts of situations before going for one. You are looking to have an elective c-section so all of those risks don’t necessarily apply to you but they don’t separate them out so you just need to agree to them anyway. I had done lots of research myself on the NHS website about the risks before the appointment so I was very unphased as they read them out. Just be firm that’s what you want. I was waking up having nightmares about not having mine approved and ended up crying to the midwife about it all as I was so anxious they were going to leave it too late. It all worked out fine and I got it approved without any great difficulty. Good luck

Just be firm that this is your decision. Get the date booked in. That should be the end of it.

Elective c-sections are fine. I didn’t really want one. I am sad that it couldn’t have been otherwise. But I asked for an elective c section and it almost certainly saved me and my baby from lifechanging injury, so it was a shrewd call on my part.

There is loads of stuff on here about c sections. Flatulence is a big issue. You can read up on that when the time comes. Good luck!

I would just explain how anxious it made you for both of your previous births and how it negatively affected your mental health. You've given birth twice and so you are certain in how you feel. I don't think you will have a problem with the consultant, just stand firm. Wishing you all the best for your birth