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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Elective c section???

28 replies

DianaXXX · 28/11/2011 23:03

I heard on the news a week ago that each women would be able to have a choice now wether to have c section ( even without a medical reason for it) I'm not sure if the law had been implemented yet or it's just an on going discussion now!
I'm 27 weeks and my baby seem to be larger than usual and the baby's father was born 5kg 200gr which is huge! I'm Worried about having a natural birth due to my friends having serious implications however I'm not sure that c section would have less risks!
Please voice your opinions on this :)

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AllIWant85 · 28/11/2011 23:15

I believe (and I could be wrong) that women now can express their wishes for a c section and have them noted but it's still down to the medical team as to if those wishes are carried out or not.

It's basically opened up the path for women without the usual medical reasons to request a c section.

I have no opinion either way on this as of now. :)

catsareevil · 28/11/2011 23:19

It isnt a law, it is guidance,

Have you discussed your concerns with your midwife? They should be able to advise you on the size of the baby, and let you know if the baby is very large, and if so what monitoring or interventions might be needed.

DianaXXX · 28/11/2011 23:23

Every time I have a midwife appointment I get a new one and one is worse than the other ( meaning that they don't seem to know much)

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AllIWant85 · 28/11/2011 23:24

This may help...

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15840743

DianaXXX · 28/11/2011 23:37

Thank you very much that article has answered a lot of my questions Smile
Got a midwife appointment on Thursday I will come with the article to her!:)

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catsareevil · 28/11/2011 23:45

Do you feel like you have the information that you need to make up your mind about how you are best to deliver the baby? It sounds like communication with the midwives is an issue?

sleepatlast · 28/11/2011 23:46

At 20 weeks i was told ds in 98th centile on for massive baby.had scan at 35 weeks and he was on 50th centile so went for vb.he was just over 7lb. I had em c section.horrid end to a horrid labour but even so i'm thinking of vaginal delivery for next as I found the recovery after from c section v difficult.it tends to be better for electives though. Could you ask for a later scan to help you decide nearer the time? They aren't v accurate but give an idea of baby's weight. It's such a difficult decision isn't it...if only we had crystal balls and knew what the labour would be like. Good luck with it. I had horrid labour but would (will!) do it again for baby.it is all worth it and doesn't last forever!

beckymcfc · 29/11/2011 10:13

I am in the same predicament really, and currently weighing up the pros and cons and preparing to speak to my midwife. I have a hernia on my stomach which can cause me to be in agony and sorry TMI but when I push for a poo it absolutly kills me so I can't imagin how much pain I will be in for it if I have a vaginal birth. I know there are alot of people against the idea of elective sections, but I believe everyone has the right to decide.

YULEingFanjo · 29/11/2011 10:20

I can't understand why anyone would choose to have major abdominal surgery leaving them unable to drive, pick up their baby and so on. I was very close to having one (had filled in the paperwork) but really glad I managed to push my baby out.

It's quite rare to have a baby so big that you can't have a vaginal birth and I know loads of people who have been told their baby is big but when it's born it's much smaller.

Have you looked into birthing classes to help you get your head around how childbirth works?

Catsycat · 29/11/2011 11:04

I've had 2 emergency CS, despite desperately wanting vaginal births (DD1 was actually booked for a homebirth).

The recovery is long and at times can be painful (and your tummy won't ever really be the same again). I believe they cut through 3 layers of tissue, and make three layers of stitches. I still get pain in my scar e.g. when sneezing, 2 years after my last CS. There is also the risk of infection and blood clots etc. A friend of mine had a bad infection in her wound, and had an open wound for 3 months which had to be dressed daily by the district nurse. Another friend had an infection which meant she was readmitted to hospital after a couple of days and missed much of the time she should have had bonding with her new baby. Ok, these examples are exceptions, and most people don't get infections, but it is a risk you need to consider. You won't be able to drive for a couple of weeks (this is a big deal for me as DH works away, and we live in a rural village with not much public transport, and no family nearby). So, it is a lot of inconvenience and a lot of pain, and there are risks, so I would not go into it without good reason.

Having said all that, it appears my cervix does not dilate beyond 2-3cm, so I am convinced the operations saved my and my babies' lives, and I will be having an elective CS with this baby, regardless of the risks and consequences of surgery. I, personally, had pretty textbook recoveries from both my EMCSs, so my experience was as good as it could be really.

It can be hard to tell the size while pg - I have known people who were told their babies would be very big / very small but were just average when they were born.

In your position, I would want to be talking to a mw, or asking for a referral to a consultant, to discuss your concerns. You need to be informed about your own risks (ie, does the size of the baby vs. the size of you seem likely to be a problem, do you have any other health issues that could affect matters), as well as the general risks and benefits of both CS and vaginal birth, as this is ultimately a personal choice.

Good luck!

happywheezer · 29/11/2011 11:15

I had a CS for the reason that you are giving. Sort of.
I had other issues to but basically it was maternal request.
Other posters are right.
I had no problems after my first CS. Up and about straight way, the scar was lovely, like a pencil line.
Second Cs was not however, it still hurts now six months later,had an infection etc.
But I would still have a CS especially if it's what you want.
The after care of CS patients is sketchy though.

Booboostoo · 29/11/2011 11:18

I had an ELCS and had a wonderful birth experience and perfectly fine recovery BUT as with all medical procedures you need to inform yourself on the risks for both yourself and the baby, weigh them up against the risks of a VB, decide which ones are likely to apply more to your situation and make a decision.

There are quite a few articles on the risks of CS on Google Scholar. I found the ones that distinguished between EMCS and ELCS to be the most useful (usually these are very recent articles from US and China where there are large number of ELs and therefore can more easily distinguish from EM).

DianaXXX · 30/11/2011 01:36

To be honest I think I need to do a lot of research before I decide either way!
I need to understand clearly what c section involves before I go ahead with it etc Blush

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bluehorizon · 30/11/2011 05:19

I had two sections and my recovery was quick and straightforward. There are also plenty of people with long term problems after a vaginal birth - you only have to look on here to see threads about that. I second looking at the difference statistically between emergency nd elective cs and fully researching risks and benefits of natural versus cs birth. Good luck -you will probably be absolutely fine with either :)

DianaXXX · 30/11/2011 21:29

My friend had a son a year and a half ago at royal free and she still has major problems even after virginal birth I just gotta work out the risks

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DianaXXX · 30/11/2011 21:30

Which are greater

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happywheezer · 30/11/2011 22:11

Just because the nice guidelines have changed doesn't automatically mean you will get one.

Merinda · 30/11/2011 22:31

Just to contribute to the comments on c-sections/major abdominal surgery etc.
I had an elective c-section 6 days ago (for medical reasons). I was walking on day 2, was able to pick up my baby on day 2, now the scar has almost healed and I have only minor issues physically. No impact on being able to look after my baby at all.
Fair enough, I do not drive, so inability to do so for a while is not an issue.
I was very apprehensive when I was told by the doctor that I needed one, now I think this was the best decision I could have made

Angel786 · 30/11/2011 23:09

Both natural and c sections have there risks. After a 3rd degree tear last time I'm in no doubt as to a c sec next.

Biscuitsandtea · 01/12/2011 07:01

Just reading this thread with interest, and I wondered Angel have you been offered a c-section this time for having a 3rd degree year last time? (If you're currently preg?)

I only ask because I had a third degree tear and forceps delivery which took some healing, so this time round I started off being consultant led and the consultant just said 'oh, I think a VB will be fine' and sent me back to being MW led care. At the time I was happy to take his guidance but it's still something that's in my mind so just interested in others experiences.

Sorry OP, I don't have a comment on your actual question although I'm reading the comments with interest!!!

Biscuitsandtea · 01/12/2011 07:02

3rd degree tear not year!

NinkyNonker · 01/12/2011 09:05

I wouldn't opt for major surgery in any other case so won't with this baby, it is riskier for the baby as well. I also can't risk a long recovery, DH works, I have another child and need to be able to drive. If medical needs must at the time then fine, but not as a choice. I do also have a slight objection to the idea of Cs on demand anyway.

Besides, the guidance is aimed at those women severely phobic of childbirth (tokophobia), as against just a general fear, which is normal. It comes with the recommendation of a programme of therapy to try to work through these issues with the aim of a natural birth ideally, as far as I recall.

hubbahubster · 01/12/2011 09:31

God I wish people would stop scaremongering about CS. I had to have an ELCS for medical reasons and all the stories about not being able to pick up my baby etc terrified me pre-op. It's all nonsense - for a start, an ELCS is very different to an EMCS where you've already been through a fairly traumatic labour. And I could hold/pick up DS right away. The bed on the ward went up and down and tilted, so I just zoomed myself to the right height for the cot and scooped him out.

I think counselling for those scared of VB should be the first option, but CS doesn't have to be horrific as long as you're prepared. And of course a VB has risks just as CS does, for both mother and baby. Either way, you have to trust your healthcare professionals.

Angel786 · 01/12/2011 13:13

Biscuits - yes after I had the tear I had to go back for follow up tests and the hospital said to avoid further tearing they would suggest a c sec in future but will be my choice and they wrote a letter to support that. I really want a c sec as dd had shoulder dystocia - she got stuck when she was being born so her head was out but not the rest of her so they made a "small cut" (yeah right, - tore through my back passage muscle!) and used ventouse to get her out. Luckily she didn't suffer any damage but all very distressing.

Am v newly pg again and gp said she would expect hospital will honour the c section and will write a letter to confirm with them. I doubt they would say otherwise for fear of me suing them for the first labour...

Hubb - I agree there is a lot of scaremongering. Some people genuinely do suffer but glad you had a good experience. I delivered naturally and due to the tearing suffered for months after - couldn't stand up for long (felt like my insides were falling out) couldn't sit comfortably, go to the loo (laxatives for months!) etc etc

Sorry OP to go off topic!

DianaXXX · 10/11/2018 20:07

Just to update 7 years later I decided on virginal delivery and 4 years ago I had another Virginia delivery drugs free lol was two weeks overdue with both of my boys

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