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!!

[NotQuiteCockney]

I've had two sections, too. The first was for footling breech, the second was, effectively, for failure to progress (we gave up early, on the advice of our midwife).

The first, elective section was much worse than the "emergency" one. DS1 wasn't really ready to come out. I had breathing problems (water not broken, no room to breathe when lying on my back on the table) and it was a real nightmare. DS1 was in SCBU for 30 hours (and he was 39+5, so not preemie at all). Oh, and I was threatened with transfusions.

The "emergency" section went much better. No breastfeeding problems, no breathing problems, baby fully cooked.

But both times, I didn't go up or down stairs for a week or so. I wasn't able to lead a normal life (walking places, doing what I wanted) for 4-6 weeks afterwards. Yes, a section is a controlled process, assuming all goes well, but that doesn't mean it's a better process.

[giraffeski]

Message withdrawn

[singleteenagemum]

I am a single mum, but no i don;t live alone i still live with my parents, so in that sense have plenty of support, think either way i'll find smething hard, wether it be pre-brith, birth or post birth.

Am sorry for causing an argument

[NotQuiteCockney]

Goodness, don't be sorry! You asked a reasonable question.

Anyway, arguments are what this place runs on. If there isn't one for a few days (hours? minutes?) people start getting cranky.

[giraffeski]

Message withdrawn

[aloha]

Rochwen, the NICE guidelines make it clear you do have the right to a section if you want one. Yup, the RIGHT to a section. Just make it clear you will not accept being forced to give birth in a way that is anathema to you. You may have to be quite forceful, depending on who you are talking to. They will give you crap about how you can have an epidural if you want one - but don't be fooled - you are IMO more likely to be left in pain than have an anaesthetist rushed to your side.
I came home after two days and walked straight upstairs with my baby in my arms. If I got pregnant again I would have a caesarian like a shot and I would not risk going into labour again. I feel sad for dd that she had to endure labour and that I felt so negatively towards her in my agony, instead of being lifted into the world without pain or misery like ds.

[singleteenagemum]

Giraffeski - thank you that sounds really helpful..i'm in kent

[singleteenagemum]

Giraffeski - thank you that sounds really helpful..i'm in kent

[oatcake]

Can't exactly see where it says it's the woman's right, but I've found this section which might be useful...


Responding to requests for CS

Obstetricians estimate that they agree to perform a CS for about half of the requests they receive.
A woman?s request for CS is the ?start of a continuing dialogue and process? during which a negotiated plan of care can be developed which enables women to continue to feel in control with the support of her health care providers.

When a woman requests a CS the first response should be to determine the reason for the request and the factors that are contributing to the request. This can then be followed by the provision of information comparing the risks and benefits of planned CS and vaginal birth.

FIGO?s Committee for the Ethical Aspects of Human Reproduction states that it is unethical to
perform a CS without a medical reason because of inadequate evidence to support a net
benefit.

An obstetrician who feels that in good conscience they cannot carry out a CS at the request of a woman and no identifiable clinical reason should refer her for a second opinion.

This is good practice and is kindly care even if not acquiescence. Importantly it means that
dialogue is maintained between the woman and her obstetrician.

[Rochwen]

Oatcake said: 'FIGO?s Committee for the Ethical Aspects of Human Reproduction states that it is unethical to
perform a CS without a medical reason because of inadequate evidence to support a net
benefit.' Really? Then how come I could have a c/s privately without any questions? That doesn't make sense.

Aloha, that's what I've heard to, so I just hope that I can be 'forceful' enough on the day. It's awful that I had to worry for months throughout my pregnancy whether I would get a c/s. I could have done without that worry.

[Rochwen]

Oh and how are they going to maintain a dialogue? My appointment is in week 36 and the hospital only has consultants appointments once every week. They are cutting it a wee bit short if they want to 'discuss' it with me. I think they will have to make a decision there and then and I shall certainly push them for it.

[giraffeski]

Message withdrawn

[singleteenagemum]

Thanks giraffeski

[goldenoldie]

Lonely and Oatcake - I've had two c-sections and both times I recovered faster than the mums who had vaginal delivery.

Mobilising the same day, using the loo, day room, looking after my baby. In fact both times I was discharged within 48 hours - leaving behind vaginal delivery women sitting on packs of ice and big cushions!

I don't agree that only the rich should have choices and the rest of us should put-up with whatever we get offered and feel grateful. If the NHS can't offer me the choices I want, then I should have the choice not to pay taxes and NI into the system and put my money into private provision where I do have a choice.

Anyway - I thought choice was the Government's great new policy proposal. Within the year, if my GP has to refer me for treatment to a hospital, he has to give me a choice of five different providers - one of which should be in the private sector.

Why should'nt the same rules apply for maternity care? Or should our taxes only be used to give non-pregnant women choice.................

PS. This time I'm having c-section number 3.

[mears]

The only thing I will add at the moment to this thread is that we have 2 female consultants at our hospital who are of childbearing age and they both opted for vaginal delivery. Neither of them wanted to go through major surgery which carries risks greater than vaginal birth.

[singleteenagemum]

mears - it;s coz if they wanted a c-section they'd have people like you on their backs, easier for them coz they won't have collegues giving them stick

[mears]

In my work day and daily I see more women leaving the labour ward unscathed by childbirth than I see suffering horrendous trauma. Birth is and can be a totally normal physiological process. I personally loved being in labour and found the experience brilliant, despite having stitches both first and second times. They were not particularly painful Didn't need to sit on a cushion. Sat crosslegged on my bed.

You can have brilliant experience of birth and hellish. You can have brilliant experience of C/S and hellish. I peronally would not want a C/S if I could avoid it. Other women have an opposing view.

I have said before though, that a woman who is not able to psychologically cope with the fear of childbirth, real or otherwise, should have a C/S. I think it is a symptom of our society that birth is seen as a degrading process rather than an empowering one when it goes well. Some of that is as a result of the meddling by medical men throughout the ages.

Just do not think of C/S as an 'easy option' for mother and baby because invariably it is not.

[mears]

STM - it is because they perform C/S day and daily and would prefer not to put themselves through that operation unless needed. Rest assured, women obstetricians (and men) do not worry about what midwives think

[vickiyumyum]

i think that this, female doctors would rather have section is an urban myth made up by the media, as of the 6 consultants at our hospital 4 of which are women, none of them have had sections!
some of them are more pro choice than others but, i think that the general feeling is that you do not have a right to have a section you have aright to have a birth within a hospital, that does not mean having major surgery, because you choose to.
i certainly do not agree that the rich should have the right to choose, just because they can pay for it, and i'm sure that in most cases this isn't true and that there is an underlying reason as to why they had a section, breech, failure to rogress etc and that they then chose sections for subsequent deliveries, because this still seems to be the norm in many hospitals that once a section always a section.
the its my right to choose argument doesn't really cut it as there are many things in life that we should be more entitled to have a say over that we don't and no one is campaiging against those!
sorry if i have annoyed/upset anyone this is just my opinion.
my belief at eh moment for you stm is that you have every right to feel scared but feel that you need to open up the questioning a bit more, don't be fobbed off by a midwife or an organisation saying oh this is really a question for so and so, ask directly who you need to speak to and then expect help and guidance form them.
have you been put in touch with organisations such as y-web and surestart and i think that the other one is connex, your local childrens information centre should be able to give you some idea as to who to contact as well.

[vickiyumyum]

Mears - oh yes many a female consultant really couldn't give a hoot as to what others would think of them!

[aloha]

Vickiyumyum...what is the matter with you? Why is it so important to you that everyone should have their babies just the way you do? Why on earth are you so keen to reduce choice for other women? What business is it of yours how other women have their babies?
I cannot believe you are saying that even women who pay for their own treatment shouldn't be 'allowed' to have caesarians. That's just amazing. Why the hell not? What's it to you anyway?
I found being in labour to be profoundly humiliating and disgusting and vile. I found having a section to be civilised and dignified. I think my feelings and experiences are every bit as valid as anyone else's.

[babylily]

Here's a little bit of food for thought...

I had an elective with my DD. I had horrendous SPD and to cut a long story short from my research decided, with my midwife and GP's support on this as the best option for delivery.
I saw a registrar at 28 wks who point blank refused to consider it.
I was extremely upset and was referred to the consultant (his boss). The consultant was wonderful and delivered my dd at 39 wks by cs.
During delivery they discovered I had placenta praevia so ironically would have required an emergency c-s if I'd laboured naturally.

I had a blood transfusion and continued to lose a lot of blood, and experienced one terrfiying night where I was almost taken down for emergency surgery at midnight. I had an awful feeling that if they operated I would never come round from the anaesthtic, so begged them to wait till my dh arrived before taking me down - in that hour the bleeding started to slow down and I was okay.

I have blithely recommended a section to everyone since my own telling friends it was fantastic, the drugs were great, the stay in hospital was a real rest, etc etc... it was only when I recently became pregnant again that it actually hit me that it could have turned out very differently... I have SPD again but am currently looking into my options for VBAC.

good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[singleteenagemum]

I';ve been put in touch with sure start, but they wer bloody useless...going to talk to my hosp mw tomorrow for some more advice.

[oatcake]

Sorry, I hate quoting people but...

"Why should'nt the same rules apply for maternity care? Or should our taxes only be used to give non-pregnant women choice"

because as a pregnant woman you're not ill, you're just pregnant! All too many of us associate preganancy and childbirth as being a disease of some description.