Requesting c section

[daydreamingnightowl]

My 1st baby was delivered last year by emergency c section which I pushed for during the labour. It wasn't progressing and due to health issues, I cannot have an epidural. They wanted me to continue and tried to put me off c section. It turns out that I was in early obstructed labour and baby was stuck and had to be pulled out with forceps during the c section.

The letter following the birth from the registrar was that I could go on to have a vbac or opt for another c section in future pregnancies.

We are now planning baby no 2 but I feel so strongly that I only want to go ahead if I can have a c section again. I do not want to attempt a vbac and feel anxious that I will get pregnant and then meet resistance.

It was never explained to me in the hospital that I was in early obstructed labour or that I had had a post partum haemorrhage. I only found out from the letter I received weeks after and I think this has given me some anxiety about the next birth because I don't really understand why baby was stuck and if it is likely to happen again.

I guess what I'm asking is has anyone had a similar situation and did you come up against resistance when requesting to have a second c section?

You can absolutely request a section for your next birth ( and that request will be met).
You can contact the unit where your baby was born and ask if they have a birth debrief service. A specialist midwife can access your notes and talk through your previous birth and discuss all the events with you.

Hopefully that will help you have a clearer picture of what happened and why.

And help you make a decision going forward so that you can look forward to having another baby if you would like to.

I was absolutely read for push back and to try and be persuaded to try for a VBAC for #2. The midwife couldn’t have been nicer, congratulated me on having such a firm decision and said she totally understood my reasons.

it was absolutely no problem whatsoever and shouldn’t be for you, stand firm, you’re completely entitled to it

The ball is very much in your court as you have already had one c-section. I was booked into a hospital which is so busy I knew there was a slim to none chance of getting epidural. I had the most horrendous back labour before EMCS with DC1. There was zero chance of me going for VBAC. Hospital were fine with my decision.

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. You've put my mind at ease! I'm glad to hear you had positive experiences and were respected in your choices!

@Izzy24 I didn't realise you could request a debrief and I think this would be really helpful for me - thanks for recommending.