elective c-section .. where to go?

[ranirani]

It's my first pregnancy, and I have a very LOW pain threshold. I have always been terrified of labour pain, whatever anyone may say. It actually put me off of getting pregnant in the first place. Now I am 34 y.o. so not a spring chicken which makes it more difficult. I'd rather opt for a c-section, but I am not sure I can get it just by talking to my midwife. Does anyone know how much would it cost if to do it privately and which hospitals provide this kind of service???? Please help!!

Hi Ranirani!
I'm considering having an elective c-section (not really my first choice but have been talked into it as of late) because I have a connective tissue disorder, have gained an incredible amount of weight (I used to be 8 stones pre pregnancy and now weight 15)! and my blood pressure is weird. It's never been high but lately it's being labled as 'border line' and when I'm in arthritic pain my blood pressure usually drops.

Cost for private:
we're expected to pay £5,000 for the consultants fees and £3,000 for the private room fees.
This is at the Chelsea and Westminsters Kensington Wing with Dr. Hazem el Refaey

The Portland Hospital+any other consultant comes out to 8-10k as well.

St Thomas is about £5,000-6,000 total and has nicer rooms than the Portland. Too bad it's too far from us.

Personally if I didn't have the medical insurance to cover it I wouldn't considering it.

St John and Elizabeth's doesn't deliver to anyone it thinks it high risk. I've known 3 women who were physically fit but over 33 who were considered 'high risk' and were not able to book wit them. (we have the same consultant).

ohh, and the Portland isn't as great as it's hyped up to be, be careful not to fall into any hype.

I would LOVE a vaginal birth (with an epidural) but the more I think about it the more I realize how much danger I'm putting myself into.

'Sorry but many mums do milk their "birth horror stories",'

pissing me off further

there speaks someone who has not had a traumatic birth

bear in mind, an elective has risks too. look into risks and benefits, before you make up your mind.

fear of childbirth , i.e tokophobia , is a recognised condition and rather than booking a section , why not have some counselling first?

a c.s is not a pain free risk free option

all the best !

Possibly I should take the time to argue my point.

Twinkie, good for you that you had a good experience, and yes your experience is very valid to a thread such as this. It is always useful to hear a balance of views so that women can make up thier own minds about what is best for them.

You can do this without being so judgemental and critical of women who have bad experiences.

For the record: I had a very traumatic vaginal birth, and could easily argue that I have tokophobia and get a c/section, but I've done my research and am going for a second vaginal birth!

I have very good reasons.

Do the research!

I totally agree with lulumama.

Can I just add - I've had an 'electve c-section' (OK, I didn't actually elect for it, but it was agreed it was the best option for me at the time for medical reasons, so there was none of the drama of an emergency section) and although it wasn't a horrific experience at all, it wasn't pain free, it was major surgery - and I felt like I'd had major surgery, to be frank. I didn't recover as quickly as the vast majority of my friends who'd had vaginal births, and I had a very deep surgical scar which took a long time to heal and hasn't faded completely 3 years later. It isn't an experience I would jump into again without weighing up the pros and cons very carefully (which I am actually doing at the moment, as I'm pregnant again).

That's not a horror story, but it's my reality and the reality of many other women who have had sections, too. Surely it's best to for the OP to hear both sides of the coin, do her own research, perhaps think about talking to someone about her phobia...and then make her mind up...rather than only being presented with a few people saying 'yeh, c-sections are fab, private hospitals are great! Go for it!' ??????

I totally agree with lulumama.

Can I just add - I've had an 'electve c-section' (OK, I didn't actually elect for it, but it was agreed it was the best option for me at the time for medical reasons, so there was none of the drama of an emergency section) and although it wasn't a horrific experience at all, it wasn't pain free, it was major surgery - and I felt like I'd had major surgery, to be frank. I didn't recover as quickly as the vast majority of my friends who'd had vaginal births, and I had a very deep surgical scar which took a long time to heal and hasn't faded completely 3 years later. It isn't an experience I would jump into again without weighing up the pros and cons very carefully (which I am actually doing at the moment, as I'm pregnant again).

That's not a horror story, but it's my reality and the reality of many other women who have had sections, too. Surely it's best to for the OP to hear both sides of the coin, do her own research, perhaps think about talking to someone about her phobia...and then make her mind up...rather than only being presented with a few people saying 'yeh, c-sections are fab, private hospitals are great! Go for it!' ??????

ranirani

You can get a c-section on the NHS if you let them know your fears, (tears may help when discussing the matter), are unable to get over those fears, make it clear that you will sue if forced to give birth vaginally nad anything untoward happens that could have been avoided by a c-s and if you ask to be referred to another consultant if the first refuses you.

They will quote average statistics at you but be aware that the c-section rate is higher amongst the over 35's anyway, a third to a half of older first time mothers in some areas end up with a c-section anyway. I used this fact successfully in arguing for an NHS c-section as I did not want to labour and then end up with a c-section as they are generally much easier to recover from if elective.

You must research c-sections, complications/ risks associated with them and the same with vaginal births factoring in your personal circumstances as NHS staff generally only talk about national averages which may be vastly different from person to person if medical history is taken into consideration.

Good Luck

Well, i'm with twinkie on this one. The Portland isn't hype - it's bloody marvellous!!

TBH, I think you know, in your heart, if a CS is right for you. I did know I wanted a CS from the moment I found out I was PG.

Yes, I had something of an unorthodox birth plan but it was carried out to the closest detail at The Portland.

FWIW, Even if I were contemplating a natural delivery, I would have still chosen to go private.

good post turniphead1

I had a c section and I can say in all honesty it was a fantastic experience. I think a planned c section is a world away from an emergency one. I was up and about a lot sooner than friends who had vaginal deliveries. People like to put the fear of god into you about agonising pain while you recover etc but that hasn't been the case for anyone I know. The risks of a planned c section are negligible if you don't have any medical conditions.

twinkle,
i'm really glad you had a great experience at the portland. they keep showing me awful rooms maybe and the bathroom on the 1st floor (where i have my antenatal appointments feel like the rain forest). i know several women who have had mixed reviews. i personally don't think it lives up to it's hype.

turniphead,
i got the information about them being turned away from st john and lizzies from them. they could have been holding other personal information back.

if i didn't have the disease and health issues i have i would choose st john and lizzies over everyone else.

twinkle,
i was never taken to a 7th floor. oh,but we cant afford a suite. we only saw rooms.
the girl who showed me around her name was antoinette kyraku (spelled some other way most probably) i remember her name because her first name is rare and her last name is the same as a friend of ours.

although the rooms they showed me were scary to me...i have absolutely no doubt that the care you recieve there is fantastic. for every antenatal appointment, physio, and antenatal class everyone is soo helpful, nice and caring to us.

turniphead,
st j and l sometimes seems like a dream. it's less than a 3 minute walk to our home...but i've been rejected.

i have american health insurance that covers all maternity stuff. my husband has axa who so far are willing to pay for everything because we've had such a difficult pregnancy.

i have two consultants at the moment only one is suggesting an elective c section..but he's more worried about the status of my current conditions (but he's much harder to get in touch with) and the other consultant thinks i should keep c-sections out of my head, doesn't take into account that i have stills disease but answers his phone and sees me any time i feel i need to be seen.

If you were set on a c section I'd advise the Portland as I think they will give you the best c section 'experience' and you will be very well looked after. I think an NHS hospital (the private section) may still require you to argue your case before it agrees to an elective caesarean, although this does depend on how sympathetic your consultant is. You could certainly read up on it all and list your concerns so that you were well briefed beforehand. Equally, I'd also take a look at St Johns and St. Lizzies as they take a much more holistic approach and might be able to help you overcome some of your fears and concerns about vaginal delivery.

However, this is your body and your choice and if you were certain that a c section was for you then I'd say go for the Portland.

On an aside, Twinkle's fantastically insensitive comment "Sorry but many mums do milk their "birth horror stories, millions of women give birth every day and frankly in many situations do not have time to continually go over their birth horror stories" is smug and unsympathetic twaddle. So she had a good birth - good for her - but for those that did not the reality and aftermath isn't about "milking" the experience, but is often about processing a very real trauma. From personal experience, if I could have blocked what happened to me from my head I would have happily done so - it certainly wasn't a question of enjoying the mileage of my "horror story". I'd direct her towards the Birth Trauma Association for a reality check and crash course in empathy if I could be bothered, but I'd guess from her post that she's too busy congratulating herself. A little empathy really wouldn't go amiss.....

Anyway, off my soapbox, I just wanted to wish you lots of luck. If I were in your shoes I'd go to the Portland. I'm not really a fan of caesareans after my experience, but I think the Portland will look after you very well and you'll get a very positive experience. You deserve a good birth as it's a great start to motherhood, and only you'll know what is best for you and your baby.

K