Consultant app on 29th. What to expect?

[DetectivePotato]

I had a forceps, episiotomy and 3rd degree tear with DS. They said to me the next day that any subsequent children should be born by c section.

I had a follow up app with colorectal surgeon when DS was 8 months who said I had healed really well.

19 weeks pregnant with DC2 and I have a cons app on 20th Sept. What will happen? Will they recommend a c section or will they leave it up to me? I am very indecisive and find it soooooo difficult to make a decision. I don't really want a c section but I am scared of the potential damage that could happen if I tore again, but obviously there is no way to tell if this will happen again or not.

Afraid I have real no idea, so just bumping this up for you.

I was consultant lead last pg as I'd previously had some abnormal cells removed. When I arrived at the appointment I was TOLD to attend, he asked me why I had come to see him!!

Professional then!

Thanks for the bump. Anyone else?

I am sort of in the same boat, but much further along in pregnancy and haven't got the answer yet. Our deliveries sound pretty much identical.

I had an appointment at about 20 weeks. I saw a registrar, who was a bit crap tbh. She said they wouldn't make a decision until around 34 weeks, so don't be surprised if they don't commit to anything either way, but I would push more than I did for what factors they will take into account/ what you should think about when making the decison.

Was your dc big? A lot of my 20 week appointment was taken up with organising growth scans, diabetes testing etc.

hi - it seems like the 20 week appt is to set the scene as it were! I also saw a registrar at 20 weeks who wasn't really able to advise me personally, was told to see the consultant midwife to talk through vbac and then to make appt at 36 weeks to make decision about c-section. As i had my dd at a different hospital, they also wrote to them for information about the birth.

I had the 36 week appt 2 weeks ago with the actual consultant (am assuming the consultant tries to see everyone nearing due date?) - he was really helpful and went through my notes from the previous hospital but was clear that he wasn't making the decision for me. I don't think they will TELL you to have a c-section unless its for a medical emergency? I think that If you ask very precise questions, you get a good idea of their opinion, but ultimately, they won't insist on it. He could see I was floundering because I couldn't make a decision so kept repeating some key info from dd's birth which made me think he was recommending a c-section and he had no hesitation in booking one in the end once I FINALLY said I wanted one.

Some posts I've read before have intimated that consultants will book c-sections at 20 weeks, others that they want you to 'think' about it and make the decision at 36 weeks. If you are as indecisive as me, you will think of nothing else for the next 4 months though!!!

Good luck with your appt and your decision - its not an easy one but you do have some time to think it through.

Thanks for your replies. I shouldn't expect too much at this app then.

tatty how big was your DC? My DS was 8lbs 11oz and he was 10 days early. Will I get growth scans do you know? It has been mentioned that they would keep an eye on the size of this baby but my healthcare trust is a shambles and it is one of the worse rated hospitals in the country so I take some things with a pinch of salt as to what they are suppose to do and what they will do. Do you also know what you are going to do yet seeing as our births were similar?

ginger yes I am very indecisive. I really am dreading making this decision as I know I have reasons for both. I will think of nothing else (and bore everyone going over and over it) for 4 months!

My DS was over 4.5kilos (not sure what that is in ibs, but he was 10'11'') and that triggered a whole different pathway - ie scans etc

Whenever I have mentioned incontinence to any HCP they have all sucked their teeth and talked about c sections (coincidentally mine was checked out and declared pretty well healed at 8 months too). The registrar I saw did say that if any muscle tissue was damaged first time round, a second vb would only weaken it. I don't think you'll have a problem getting a c section if that's what you want, but like you, I have been dithering about it.

I don't have my final appointment with the consultant now until the beginning of October. I think I will go for a c section. If I could have Ina May Gaskin as my personal midwife then I would go for a VB, but I don't really want anohter hospital birth under those circs - most of the staff we had were great, but some weren't and tbh I think I will be anxious throughout

I don't know if that helps - for me it is two issues - will teh baby get stuck again - that was terrifying - and how will my continence be affected. No one really knows in either case.