would like elec c-sec but dh and family trying to persuade otherwise

[mads1]

Please can i have your opinions on this issue.
Went into labour with dd1 at 42 weeks. Went through 9 hours of pushing and she just wouldn't come down the birth canal (possibly in wrong postion).

No one has ever really been able to tell me if it was the way my birth canal is formed or weather dd1 was in the wrong position.

So, had emergency c-sec and that all went well without any complications. Recovery was pretty good.

I am now 36 weeks gone.

3 years on I've been told there seems to be no reason why not to try for natural birth again, but I feel i would like to go elective for the following reasons..

1. I can plan for the event and babysitters for dd1
2. would hate to go through 1-2 days of labour then all that pushing again to then end up with c-sec again! 3)The idea of the pain AFTER Vag birth scares me more this time especially as i know this can be avoided this time!
3. I am suffering lots with pelvic and groin pains and can't bare it anymore!

My DH and MIL (!) both think i should try natural again.
DH reasoning is that we have an active 3 year old this time and therefore recovery will be harder this time i.e need to recover quicker for driving round etc.. Can see his point of view!

Please can i hear some other opinions xxxx

Putneygirl1975 if it is your first baby then you usually need a very good reason for a c-section. I know of someone who had a psych evaluation to enable her to get one for her first baby.

You may suprise yourself with how well you cope with a vaginal birth and at least you will have tried and if it all goes pear you could then have a c section.

Mads1 - I had emergency section with ds1 after 25 labour and failure to progress and baby in distress. Then I chose elective c section for ds2. The recovery was about the same. I could drive after 2 weeks after both, I had help for 2 weeks and then I was on my own.

I am a sahm and ds1 was just 3yrs old and he went to nursery for 1 day a week so I looked after both of them for 4 days every week with no help.

I found both my sections positive, the first because it was an end to the pain and waiting and the second because it was planned, I had control over it, I knew what was going to happen and the outcome. Having been through 25 hour labour and getting to 9cm I don't feel that I have missed out on anything by not giving birth vaginally.

i had a dredful first labour ending with an em cs -with second baby i was all set for a vbac but had breech baby with 3rd ds the ob told my dh without ny seed of doubt if i was his wife it would be a 3rd c sec he explained in length why and so ds3 was a c section ,sometimes you have to take all advice and pick out what suits you best.

By putneygirl1975 on Wed 11-Jun-08 21:22:20
Hi - I've been reading this thread, and just have a quick question- how do you actually go about having an elective c-section? Do you have to pay/go private? I thought all NHS hospitals pretty much made you have it naturally unless you pay? Is it very expensive? thanks for your help and advice (I am so scared of having child birth naturally that I will have to have a c-section - I just didn't realise that you have elective ones)

dont for a minute think a c section is an easy way out - it isnt.

i had a natural first birth (in the Netherlands) with no complications and then two electives because I had so hated the experience of natural labour. I asked for them and explained my reasons and I was listened to (they were both in the UK) . i found both experiences fantastic and I was really cared for. The important thing is , there is no right or wroing way to give bbirth, it is what ia rifght for you and your baby. (Sorry for terrible spelling, dodgy laptop)

Hi, question to Fizzylemonade : have you found anything? I am in the same boat: terrified of natural birth, does not matter how other people may feel like. I am the one who will suffer, so I want to opt for elective c-section. PLEASE, keep me posting if you find ANYTHING. Otherwise I am terrified, my first pregnancy,
thanks

What are the reasons for the c/section? That's be the first question I'd ask!

I was pushing for 3 hours and no-one ever even suggested a c/section. You were only pushing for 1.5!

Sounds a little odd!

Sounds like you've lost faith in your body!

rani There is plenty to be terrified of in a c/section. Sorry to be blunt, - but please do your research!

Giving birth isn't nice whichever way you do it!

Putneygirl and Ranirani, if you have a morbid fear of childbirth(tokophobia) you qualify for a section on the NHS. You will need your midwife to refer you to a consultant.