How do i get a c-section?

[singleteenagemum]

I know this probably sounds really stupid, but i really want a caesarean, how do i go about getting an elective one?
What's the process for it all? am i just plain stupid wanting one?
HELP!!

[oatcake]

sorry, crossed with mears, but at least a qualified mw's backing me up!

[mancmum]

when I went for my second, I just said that I had had a very successful first section a large baby and discussed my fears of birthing giving family histories etc he was not intially convinced so I asked about referal to a private hospital which he was not happy about then said it was my decision ... and signed the forms... he was of opinion that recovery time etc etc is worse for C section I may be lucky but I had the fastest recoveries out of all my friends who did it naturally I was off pain killers after 2 days and only had 5 stitches I have friends who had 30+ in the nether regions and were not able to sit for a week!! I am a TOTAL coward and could not cope with that and look after a baby.. both times, I had such a great time I was told off for laughing during the section and at one point they had to stop whilst we all composed ourseleves (DH is a bit of a laugh!!) then when I got to hold my babies, I was totally relaxed, not in pain not tired just 100% focused on them --- I can remember every minute of the first few hours I spent with them... oh god getting all broody....

[hunkermunker]

STM, I had a waterbirth with DS and it was amazing. Didn't need any other pain relief. Am definitely not an earth mother and wouldn't slate you for any decision you make - your body, your baby. It's not just physical reasons that make people want c-sections, but do make sure you research it thoroughly - it's not the easy option and having had major abdominal surgery myself (and a second degree tear after DS), I know I'd choose a vaginal birth again (and will, if all's well with this pg!).

There are people who've had brilliant experiences with c-sections, as well as people who have had difficult vaginal births, but there are a lot who have had unpleasant c-section experiences and many who have had incredible vaginal deliveries. Problem is that you don't know which category you'll fall into before the event!

[mears]

A qualified midwife who can't even spell vaginal

[oatcake]

[sorry, bit of a hijack btw mears, would love your input on my message on the student board re the prolapse...

[singleteenagemum]

I'm really not worrying, i just wanted to see what people think and how to get one if i wanted one. If birthing problems aren't hereditry then i'm not worrying. I'm an active young woman and am sure i'll do fine, both in labour and recovery, just think that i need to be able to consider all options fairly and make my own decisions without midwifes and doctors telling me what i can and can't do with my own body and with the way my baby comes out of me. yes they should be there for advice and reassurance but i think the decision should ultimately be down to me and it seems like it's not.

In regards to others experience, i think it's nice to hear how other peoples went, good or bad just so you can be aware of the vast differences experienced.

My mum is my birthing partner, or if she can't do it for whatever reason then my sister is.

[oatcake]

Absolutely!

And, yes, in this instance it probably isn't down to you how you birth if you include the mode of a c-section birth, but as I highlighted earlier, the NHS isn't a bottomless pit of money...

[singleteenagemum]

i'm not saying it is, but i should still be given it as an option. They should maybe sort a scheme where if you want one you have to pay half or whatever. However if you start doing that, they'll want you to pay for everything. In the hospital i;m going to you already have to take in all your own nappies, formula milk if your bottle feeding, wipes, EVERYTHING, they don't provide the baby gown anymore either, it;s a bloody cheek, they already tax the hell out of me and then i won't actually be given all the options of childbirth.

[singleteenagemum]

i pay for the treatment of those who smoke voluntarily and end up with a bad disease and for all those who voluntarily cause damage to their bodies, surely now i should be given the birth i want

[Lonelymum]

Childbirth can be very scary, but even when you have stitches, you are usually recovered within a week or two and can get on with enjoying your baby. If you have major abdominal surgery (as I have done but not a CS) you tkae weeks to recover. I actually took months but I know my surgery was more major than a CS. Even so, I saw loads of women in hospital recovering from their CS and they were all sick, in pain, unable to pick up their babies, and many seemed quite unhappy. Not for me if it can be avoided!

[oatcake]

It's not a cheek to ask you to provide for your own child...

I might have felt like you before I experienced working in the NHS, but now I have I feel... well, jaded it by it all, including hearing all about how much money people pay in taxes.

I mean no disrespect to you, and I don't know the exact amounts, but your taxes get split quite a few ways and the amount which goes to the NHS is pretty negligable.

We've only had a NHS since the 40s I believe. Before that we would have paid for all our healthcare. If we continue to believe we're owed something from the NHS, then my worry is that we'll end up with a system not unlike the American one.

We should be proud of what the NHS does and not abuse it by thinking we're owed something when we're not.

We're getting off the subject a bit, but I suppose knocking the average price of a vaginal birth off the cost of a c-section would be fair....

[singleteenagemum]

why should you be treated if you want a c-section to a vaginal birth? I'm not rying to have a go at the NHS. But i do feel owed something by the NHS, i pay, however much is beside the point, i still contribute towards it's running.
And should at least be told of all the options (inc. elcetive) as it is an option. If all the facts were given about each method, i;m sure lots of women wouldn't go for an elective, but the facts need to be given first, all the pros and cons.

Anyway...what is the average time for recovery after a c-section either emergency or elective? Is breast feeding really impaired or is that just what some mothers experience regardless of how they give birth

[kid]

I've had 2 sections, one was emergency and the second was elective. The elective one was more calm and organised (for me) but neither were a pleasent experience. Its true you don't have the pain of labour but it sure hurts after!

I did have a long labour the first time round but I managed really well, I really did doubt whether I could actually give birth though, I was absolutely terrified the whole pregnancy.

Recovery time is approx 6 weeks, it took me longer the 2nd time round, about 12 weeks in total. Even now, 3 years in, my scar still hurts and pulls sometimes.

[Kelly1978]

I didn't have any probs with bfeeding, but I did have the advantage of prev experience. I think it might have been harder if it had been my first.

I agree with oatcake though. I think being truely scared is a valid reason, but c sections for the sake of it, shouldn't be epxected from the NHS.

[mears]

singleteenagemum - here is info you need

[aloha]

Oh and re cost, well, we don't need all those expensive midwives and consultants do we? The cheapest birth would be, say, just big room full of labouring women with one midwife to supervise the lot. No pools, no pain relief. Wouldn't that be great, cost-wise. Marvellous.
Or perhaps we should just make ALL women pay for childbirth. After all we could be much more careful with contraception or have a cheap early abortion instead. Children aren't a medical necessity at all, are they?
And what about all those smokers with lung cancer. Just make 'em suffer, eh?
And if women end up needing lifelong care for children damaged at birth, or reconstructive surgery for injuries sustained, they should pay for those too, surely?

[aloha]

I was fine by two weeks after btw. And home after two days.
I know plenty of people who laboured for days and days, had horrible instrumental births with anaesthetists and consultants involved and long recovery periods including repair work. I doubt very much that their births cost less than mine, even if the baby did come out of their fanny and not their belly.

[mears]

I can hoestly say that I do not believe cost comes into it when makind a choice regarding elective C/S in my area. Yes I know the arguments about NHS budget but it is not the main driver for clinical decision making regarding C/S.

[fishfinger]

this must be a mumsnet thread cliche

[fishfinger]

any way to avoid a catherter imo is good

[oatcake]

agree mears.

[oatcake]

lol fishfinger!

I still might catheterise you if you have a vaginal birth though...!

[Kelly1978]

I had catheter with first vaginal birth. Didn't bother me in least tho. Loved it after the section. After months of carryign twins and going to loo twice an hour, it was lovely not to hve to think about it!!

[singleteenagemum]

thanks for all your advice, i might not use it all but thanks.