Can this be right?

[lumpasmelly]

Just been on the phone to my SiL for the past hour or so and she is really upset. She and her DH opted to go for a private birth as she has had 2 really bad experiences of natural childbirth in the past (back to back labours, instrumental deliveries, retained placentas, massive blood loss - she really has had a tough time). Anyway, this time they decided to go private so she could request an elective c-section without a drama (as last time round, the NHS refused and made her deliver naturally again - and again it was a complete nightmare) - can you believe her consultant has refused to let her have one?? This consultant believes that as she has given birth "naturally" twice, that she should do it again, and won't even have the discussion with her?!! They are not rich people and have made a lot of sacrifices to pay the 10K it is going to cost to have this baby privately - you would have thought that the consultant would at least listen? Has anyone else experienced this sort of thing after going privately - I don't know what advice to give, apart from to change consultants, but I am not sure she can as they have signed a contract....!!

Hate to say this but if she was that desperate for an elective c-section did she not think of checking before she handed over the £10k that they would do it?! In my experience the approach of the private sector varies hugely, some places (e.g. Portland) are very medicalised and will give you whatever you want, others less so and some the complete opposite. Not sure where she is so what kind of set up it is but can she ask to change consultant, maybe see someone else who is more likely to do an elective section? Or if all else fails is there another place she could look at for private care where they'd do an elective section? If she reads the contract very carefully she might be able to find some kind of get out, or she could just throw herself on their mercy...

agree with LSEE

going privately does not guarantee you to a section. the consultant is going with what is safest for her and her baby i'm afraid

she ought to know though that it's perfectly possible to have an elective section on the NHS if you fight hard enough for it

I agree it depends where she has gone. I went private but to a place where the emphasis was on natural birth and I'm not sure they would have performed a C section on demand. Other places (like the Portland) and probably more favourable to such requests.

OMG, your poor SIL. I can see why she would a csection after 2 bad experiences.

Can she change to a different consultant? Agree with the others about trying Portland.

List of prices for Portland

Did she at least try the NHS first?

yes it can be right. The consultant is the one with overall responsibility. While it sounds like the previous 2 deliveries have been horrid, there are risks with a CS and he has to consider this in offering his clinical opinion. I think the difference here is that your SIL is understandably terrified of a 3rd complicated delivery, but from the consultant's perspective, there's no clinical evidence that this will happen again.

They did cover this in the initial consultation, and she also had a letter from a gynacologist stating that it would be dangerous for her to attempt a natural birth due to what happened during her second birth as he believes she actually had an accreta. However, this particular consultant insists that there is no way to tell if it is going to happen again until the actual birth, and that if it does, then they can always take her to theatre for a manual removal/hysterectomy if necessary!!!! While she accepts that she had a 50% chance of a straightforward birth, she is petrified of the 50% chance of it all going wrong, and I think this is what is the problem. Anyday, I think it is all sorted out now (thanks to the NHS!!!) Her husband ended up calling the gynacologist yesterday and he explained the situation - gynacolgist was appalled and has reassured them that HE will ensure she can have the section at his (NHS!) hospital as he remembers her case, and still thinks natural birth is too dangerous. Now all they need to do is arrange some sort of agreement with the private consultant to ensure they don't pay the full whack of fees. Relief all round - hurray for the NHS (they should have just stuck with them to begin with).
I am still a bit appalled that her private consultant was so unflexible though - the very same consultant treated her best friend and gave her a c-section on the grounds that she was "afraid of the pain of birth" so its hardly consistent!!! ....and my poor SiL IS actually very pro-birth (she did hypnobirthing, and even tried a home birth first time round!)

There are private consultants who are pro choice, mine included. Dont know what hospital your SIL has admitting rights to has admitting rights to but if I were her I would report the consultant to the hospital especially if its one that promotes choices in childbirth. Q T pie is right choosing a consultant is a bit like choosing a builder, you need to see a few, get quotes and get a feel of what their approach is before you sign on the dotted line. Not sure about the contract, never signed one, have you QT?

You can?t force a doctor to perform an operation if he/she decides it is unnecessary (especially a large abdominal operation such a CS).
HOWEVER
If the reason for requesting a CS is a traumatic birth in the past, then that is a sound clinical reason and if the woman explains it thoroughly to her health care providers there should be no problem. She can also change obstetrician or hospital, but the bottom line is- you do not have a right to choose a CS as your birth method in the UK.