Thinking of an elective c-section (long)

[Lilysmum]

Its early days for me yet (circa 10 weeks) but I am thinking of requesting an elective c-section. I am told that the obstetrician that I have been referred to may be receptive. I feel that it is the right decision for me but am not sure. What do you think?

My reasons are as follows:

*Had bad labour first time around. Anterior presentation (notoriously causes the most painful labours). Also very lengthy labour.
*Had to give birth in a theatre because they thought there was an evens chance they may need to proceed to emergency c/s. In the event I had ventouse, forceps and a whacking great episiotomy
*Episiotomy wound became a bit infected with a strep infection and I experienced soreness for months. The whole labour process gave me some psychological sexual dysfunction problems (i.e. I just didn't want to do it for months and months because I thought something might rupture!)
*My baby although full term was born with some breathing difficulties and spent a short spell in SCBU (I am sure related to foetal distress during the delivery)

• I don't like or trust midwifes and their dominant ideology of 'natural is best'. In fact I HATE them (sorry - few repressed feelings coming out here)... *Lots of near misses have been reported in maternity units in the news recently due to understaffing in midwifery. At least with a planned c/section its medically led planned care *at least 10% of women who give birth vaginally go on to experience either urinary or faecal incontinence...either straight away or in later life (and I know some of them!)

anyway the downsides which put me off are:

coping with a new baby and my (by then) 21 month old when I am not supposed to life

not driving for 6 weeks when I live in the countryside and am dependent upon my car.

Would value peoples advice and comments. Thanks

I believe that (in theory) you shouldn't drive following a c-section until you feel comfortable doing an emergency stop.

Boot I am not sure "knowing" you were expecting a big baby would have made you happier.... I find when women know it's a big one they get mentally scared and don't have nice labour - OK yours wasn't nice anyway... What would you have done if you had known ? an elective ?

There are plenty of "small" women who have babies of 11lbs and don't even tear... You can enlarge the size of the vagina by being in the RIGHT position... and that is NOT flat on your back IYKWIM!

Try this : Lie on your back (even semi reclined) with your legs bend... put your hand on top of yor vagina (not need to be nacked here!)... and then swap into a squatting position and feel the difference ... quite big actually. Unfortunately the vast majority of women deliver on their back....

Monkey - Mears should answer your question...

Boot - why did you have to be induced if you don't mind me asking ?

pupuce, basically I had a sweep which didn't work and then they let me go over by 2 weeks (which didn't help as it was in the middle of the heatwave in August) I practically begged them to take me in earlier but to no avail. I was just waiting and waiting and then went in for the inducement. I don't think I would ever have given birth to DS naturally as I didn't go more than 6-7cm dilation for 24 hours - in the end they started worrying, but why leave me for that long in the first place.

Because inductions lead - very often - to difficult labours... mother nature is most often much more effcient and kinder - if you let it

Monkey - how stuck did the shoulders get? What position were you in when you delivered?
True shoulder dystocia can be a scary thing - medical staff called, mums legs brought right up to her shoulders etc. and can last for a few minutes. If you have had true shoulder dystocia before there is a risk of it happening again, however if the medical staff thought it was a problem last time they would have suggested a C/S this time. That makes me think that it was not a true shoulder dystocia last time but ore a positional thing. Avoid delivering sitting propped in bed because that stops the sacrum being able to move backwards to allow more room.
Hope that answers your question Monkey.

Hi everyone,

Ive found this site very helpful and i can understand the complications of both birth plans. I am 21 in october and im due on the 7th of december. I have had a terrible pregnancy due to having pyelonephritis which is a condition with regular kidney infections. this could put me into prem labour. apart from this the midwife has informed me my baby boy is also large. this runs in the family as my brother was 11 ib 4oz and i was a 10ib baby and also my boyfriend is very tall. The baby is still breech at 32 weeks (dont know if my heart shaped womb has anything to do with it) and i dont know what to do. Im rather scared of a vaginal birth as i cant handle the pain and soreness down below. Can any one give me advise on what the best approach would be?? should i opt for an elective c section?

thanks
Becki