Pregnant girlfriend wants an elective Caesarean - I'm worried she might not be able to have one

[Caesareanquestion]

Hello. I hope it's ok for me to post here as I'm a man. My partner is currently 16 weeks pregnant with her first child. She has been adamant since before we conceived that she wants to have a Caesarean when she gives birth. She is terrified of having a normal (non-Caesarean) birth. She has seen guidelines saying that women who give birth on the NHS should always be allowed a Caesarean when it's requested. I am concerned that, as these are only guidelines, ultimately it will be up to the consultant who is on duty at the hospital when she goes into labour as to whether she will be offered a Caesarean. In other words, if the consultant doesn't want to do it for some reason, she will not be able to have an elective Caesarean.

Is that not how it works in practice? She is very worried about this and it's adding to her stress levels and anxiety surrounding the birth. It's got me quite worried too.

It will be fine…
especially following the maternity scandals recently.

I don’t know anyone who was declined one.

ultimately it will be up to the consultant who is on duty at the hospital when she goes into labour

No, if she has an elective c section it won't be decided once she goes into labour. It will be booked in in advance.
She needs to speak to her midwife at her next appointment and request one.

And just remember, many women are scared of giving birth!

Don’t worry it will be decided and planned in advance - she will be given a scheduled date, it won’t just be when she goes into labour.

Fear of childbirth is called tokophobia and there is some information below. She should speak to her midwife or GP about what help she could get for it.

She might still decide that a c-section is the best option, but it might help ease some of her anxieties if she can get some support too.

https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/mental-wellbeing/tokophobia-fear-giving-birth

She needs to be speaking to the midwife and consultant about it. I'd be worried about WHY she thinks this is the best option, especially as she has been saying this even pre-pregnancy? My concern is that she hasn't been give ALL advice on the pros and cons of both options. A C section is major abdominal surgery, with various risks and differences in recovery, carrying baby etc to a vaginal birth. Obviously needed in some cases, but she needs the full advice about both options before making an informed choice.

She needs to discuss with the midwife. I’m sure she can have one but she does need to understand the risks of a C-section-it’s not a magic wand. It’s still childbirth at the end of the day.

If you have a planned caesarean it will be booked in advance and they usually do them a week before your due date. They discuss what will happen if you go into labour before your caesarean date. Usually you will go onto the emergency list but someone who is an emergency will go before you.

I was the same and had always known that I would request an elective c-section due to a family history of birth complications and my anxiety surrounding birth.

I spoke with my Doctor about it at a hospital appointment, they discussed all the risks etc and when I was adamant I wanted to proceed it was agreed by a consultant and was booked in for the day before my due date. As it turned out my waters broke at 34 weeks and my little boy was breech so I would have needed a section anyways.

Even if they don’t like it and try to dissuade her, it is her choice. She will get one.