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!!

Ranirani - I realise this is quite out of date - just wondering what decision you made?

The only NHS hospital I know where you can request a section purely for maternal reasons is Chelsea & Westminster.

The post-natal care is a bit shaky, but my two sections were very positive experiences (first for medical reasons, second elective).

I feel very strongly that women should have control about how they deliver - luckily some hospitals agree!

That's great EmKathryn. How on earth do you get a referal there though?

The hospital doesn't have a specific catchment area, so you can just ask your GP to fax a referral and they won't refuse based on your postcode- I think you can also self refer online (so my friend told me!).

Are you based in SW London?

That's brilliant.

No, South Herts, but I had major issues trying to get an elective once. I think my family is finished for the moment though

hi EmKathryn, weel my DS will be 1 y.o. next Tuesday
I did go for natural but with epidural. It was a tough one, as my DC got stuck head down , face sideways, and I almost ended up with elective C section after long and painful labour. It started on Fri 9 am and I gave birth on Monday 6 pm. I was on epidural for 19 hours, episiotomy, 3rd degree tear, venthouse and forceps, passed out after everything wa done, could not walk for 2 months. Although I went to labour naturally, after being given epidural labour stalled and for 8 to 10 hours nothing was happening. The gave me synto...cin, epidurals, and second widwife ( I went through 3) was a community midwife who could not care less: instead of topping up epidural on time, she went for a cuppa. I had to throw a huge tantrum ( my DH was of no hep at all, sitting there quietly) and after that they gave me a brilliant MW who helped me to deliver my baby. he was and is healthy though, thats good thing.
After all this horendous experience, I was still thinking to have baby N2 vaginally, but I am thinking as I have lots of loose skin and stretched marks maybe better option would be to go:

1. private elective C section with tummy tack ninone go (DOES ANYONE KNOW EHER THEY DO IT AND HOW MUCH)
2. or just maybe request elective on NHS and do tummy tuck later.

I think they would give me elective if I ask, as after delivery any MW who saw my notes would immediately start : "oh, poor you, thing, you suffered so much, did not you" me.... although it is only few days and second time apparently is easier, so I am in two minds.... but then elective C section is so hussle free, and afterwords you just manage your pain with pain relief.. Are you expecting, EmKathryn? if you are congrats and good luck x

Although this thread is very out of date, which I didn't realise until I got to the last post, I would also like to metion that Watford General has a private section and is an excellent alternative for those who are in North London and Herts plus the cost of delivering there is significantly lower than central london / Queen Charlotte's / St Mary's. I expect to get change from £5k for 2x antenatal appointments, delivery and aftercare.

All the consultants also practise NHS there and it's more than possible to combine NHS antenatal with private delivery and aftercare. I have just switched to private care for DC3 and couldn't rave more highly about the service I am recieving from them. I have an absolute fear of a Vaginal delivery following one traumatic delivery and one very fast delivery and they have given me the time, care and support that has been impossible to find on the NHS as well as coming up with a birth plan that I feel we can work with.

I would strongly suggest searching for "The Birth team", the beauty of which is that along with consultant care you are guaranteed that you'll have the same midwife with you throughout your labour and you'll have got to know her in pregnancy too. They've just done up the private rooms too and they're gorgeous with the added bonus of being right next door to the NHS postnatal ward and with full SCBU.

Hi
I'm not even pg and am reading this, so you can see where my heart lies.
I found this on my google research trip...
www.electivecesarean.com/
BB

Erm - on the tummy tuck - my ob-gynae at my second ELCS jokingly asked whether I wanted one, as she stitched me up (very well, got rid of the ridge caused by the first section) - but I seriously think it was a joke! Obviously medical experts might contradict me but I suspect the risks would be too great. It would also require a different surgeon. You can be sterilised at the time of a section, but not tummy tucked. (Put it this way - if she wasn't joking why the hell didn't she do it??)

That op was abroad. My first ECLS was at the good old C&W. Bless em. No seriously they get enough flak and I think those of us who are grateful often don't let it be known enough.