Elective C section

[PregnantAtLast]

I am worried about natural labour as I have a musculoskeletal condition, and am planning to request an elective C section.

I'm early on and haven't had any midwife appointments yet, so I don't know whether my health condition will count as an automatic reason (It's not debilitating, but it would definitely make labour harder/ slightly more risky for me).

I'm worried that they will make me 'fight' for it and I'll have to be very insistent, as I know they tend to push natural childbirth.

What are people's experiences of requesting elective C sections on the NHS? Was it hard to get them to agree/ did you have to argue for it?

how far along are you op?

@emailnonse Around 6-7 weeks

I got one very easily for my second child. I'd had complications with my first birth but that alone didn't qualify me for a c section automatically. I saw a consultant at about 17 weeks, they asked what way I wanted to give birth and I said elective section as I didn't want to take the risk of the same thing happening again, and they agreed and it was booked when I was 36 weeks for 39+1.

I think you’ll have to have a birth choices meeting (we all do!) and explain your reasonings and they will book you in for one.

you just need to say why (birth fear, medical reason, previous trauma) they have to give you the risks and benefits - as part of their job. So even if they tell you all the risks it’s not them encouraging you not to, it’s just them reading the small print if you get me

I didn't have to fight for a caesarean at all. There was absolutely no resistance.

@meganna That's great - sounds like it was quite straightforward for you with your second. I feel like I hear conflicting things as some people say you can just request one but others say you have to have a good reason or they will push back.

@Nc546888 Thanks, that's good to know, yes I imagine it can feel like you are being discouraged away from it when really they just have to tell you the risks.

@FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee Very reassuring, thanks!

I think it's very much a postcode lottery sadly in how easy they make it.

I opted for one with no medical reasons. But knew before I got pregnant that was how I'd like to give birth. So mentioned it very early to my midwife. I never received an ounce of push back, from her or any of the 3 different consultants I met. However, I went into it very well informed of the procedure, the pros/cons, risks.

As it turns out, baby is footling breech and I'd be having one regardless... and I'm having him tomorrow! X

I was basically in the same boat as you when I was pregnant with DC1, I have ehlers danlos syndrome (and a few other linked health conditions) and while it isn’t a given that you definitely need a C-section, I made the decision, with the input from my EDS specialist consultant that a C-section would be the better choice for me, given my history. I didn’t face any pushback from anyone in terms of midwives or consultants at any point. It was a great experience and I couldn’t be more content with the decision I made. So much so, I’m having another ELCS in 3 months!
It may be worth mentioning that I went into any appointments as well informed as I could and made it clear I understood all the pros and cons, and that I hadn’t just rushed into a decision. I’m also very good at advocating for myself so was very willing to fight my corner, so to speak, if needed.

I opted as have a terrible phobia of birth. Said so at booking in appointment and that I wanted an ELCS. Was immediately put on the "path" and had a date booked in around 22 weeks. I would say to mention early what you want, so they can't use the process to make you run out of time, as it were. But equally, as far as I can see, every area and hospital have their own rules, so my experience might be very different to yours.

I don't think they would mind either way, midwives and doctors will fully understand, don't worry about it Xx

I had an elective for no medical reasons. I was too scared to give birth naturally! I think only fully decided at about 30 weeks and i have no push back. My friend did at a different trust so i think very much depends.

I loved my experience and recovered very quickly! I was walking around in about 3 days.

I had one for my first baby as I weighed up the pros and cons of both and knew I didn’t want to do a vaginal birth - we’d had a few miscarriages and I really wanted to get baby out in the lowest risk way possible.

I told the midwife and my booking appointment and she made a note of it, I then had a call with a consultant later on where she checked I knew all the risks. She booked me in and it was all fine.

in this pregnancy they were fine with it too, although I was met with a little resistance from the consultant at an appointment (it was supposed to be just booking me in as I’d already done the phone call bit and had it agreed, but she didn’t know why I was there for some reason and then was very pro vaginal birth and anti c section with her benefit and risk speech. This may be because she wasn’t prepared though).

however, she still booked it and I’m having it tomorrow! Good luck

The midwives didn't want to know and treated it like it was a foregone conclusion I wouldn't have one. I was convinced I'd need one all along because I and my brother were large babies and to be honest my mother had filled my head with scare stories and I didn't feel confident I could give birth naturally. My first child started measuring large and I got to 10 days late, by which point he was estimated at 9 1/2 pounds. I had a hospital appointment and they said they'd induce me the next day but I freaked out and admitted I really didn't want to go ahead that way and wanted a c section. Was immediately passed over to a consultant and for the first time c section seemed perfectly possible and was my choice. Yes please! He was 10 1/2 pounds as it turned out and the c section went perfectly.

My second pregnancy was consultant led as I was already in my 40s. Early on I met with him and he basically asked do you want a c section and again I said yes please.

I was very scared about giving birth and 39 with my first so for me I was happy with the outcome. I will say the midwives were like a brick wall when I asked and I did really have to push because they certainly weren't encouraging me to see it as an option, even though I was measuring big all along.