Has anyone requested a c-section?

[loverrrr]

For a variety of reasons, I think I would prefer a c- section for my upcoming birth. Has anyone requested this in the NHS? Is it something that is optional? Any shared experiences would be appreciated!

Sorry, I should really have said ‘are not more expensive’. Than the average ‘natural’ birth. You can’t choose a vaginal birth after all… you can embark on one but you don’t know what will end up happening from there!

The consultant said that the costs of having a fully staffed and ready surgery are already there because they have to be constantly ready for emergency C sections for life savings purposes. So electives just fit in while they have time when an emergency isn’t happening. Not really an additional cost.

When you go in for an elective they’re clear that you wait until there is a space for you that day and obviously emergencies take precedence.

She said the ‘natural’ births she used to be forced to take seriously and try and accommodate - including giving birth outdoors!! - were way riskier and more expensive, and yet she was forced to deny elective C section requests, purely because that was the trust’s policy, totally due to prejudice / the fashion. She was relieved she could now agree nice neat easy cheap elective C sections as the sensible option where women preferred it!

No. There is a separate ward and team for emergencies.

My DSIS had an elective section for her second. This was 12 months after her first, when she had pre eclampsia and they finally gave her a section after three days. The baby was in icu for two weeks and she was very ill. I don’t understand why they thought she could have a normal birth next time.

I was told when I had my baby just 2 years ago to come in on the day of my scheduled elective C section and they would get through as many as possible but if there were too many emergencies they would (rightly) be prioritised so there was a chance I’d have to come back the next day instead. So that seems as if it can’t be the case for every hospital / trust.

I had an elective with DD2. First birth with DD1 was fairly traumatic and I had zero
desire to go through that again. It was all very easy. I told midwife that I’d like a C-section. She referred me to the consultant who was fine with my choice. I had a lovely
section, healthy baby and far easier recovery than from my vaginal birth.