Does this seem reasonable to you? - CS related

[DueinSeptember]

OK, I am a bit of a freak and have a terrible phobia of birth.

With my previous baby I had an ELCS because of this.

Earlier on in my pregnancy, I made a formal request to have another ELCS - this was agreed in principle and I was told it would be discussed at my 29 week appointment and arranged then.

I went for my 29 week appointment today and asked about it and I was told we could discuss it at 32 weeks. The reason I was given is that I have recently been diagnosed with impaired glucose tolerence and they may need to change the dates as the pregnancy goes on, depending on how big the baby gets.

The registrar seemed to be pushing VBAC.

To be honest, I'd rather they be straight with me and not keep me hanging on for weeks. If they refuse I'd rather book to go privately (sooner rather than later) as the thought of a natural birth just makes me feel awful.

I felt like I was being fobbed off, but do they normally hold off making a date for an ELCS due to medical reasons? Perhaps my fear is making me think a bit irrationally.

They are being unreasonable if they are trying to push a VBAC onto you. If you have already had a CS for those reasons they can't whip this one our from under you.

I expect if you stand your grounds they will agree to it.

I had an emergency C section with 1st and knew I wanted an ELCS with no. 2. They were very pushy at my 1st consultation (sorry can't remember how many weeks) and would not take my word for it that I wanted a ELCS, made me go away and think about it. they kept saying "it's ok you don't have to decide yet " but I knew what I wanted! Think they must have targets for to achieve or something!!

Thanks Meglet, perhaps I will ask to see the actual consultant next time and not the registrar.

She just kept on saying about if I went into labour naturally I could try etc - that not everyone has too much pain. I just said it was not about the pain and that I'd prefer to be booked in for a CS and have it on my notes that if I do go into labour that I'd be straight in for the CS.

I don't think she got 'it' or me tbh. The thought of a VB just disturbs me.

Thanks Belshels.

At 32 weeks just politely but forcefully say you are not interested in a VBAC and want an ELCS. And tbh if you are in danger of getting GD you are more likely to get a CS anyway, especially if the baby is measuring big - this happened to a couple of girls I know, one of them at 34 weeks.

Thanks Angelico, I had the scan today and the baby is perfect in size, spot on in the middle of the range. I am only on the borderline of impaired glucose tolerence, on the normal side, so I am hoping with a change in diet that things should stay normal.

I didn't get a date for my CS until 35 weeks, and that was a week early, because I had a consultant appt that week - they normally book you at 36 weeks at the hospitals round here (I was high risk, had growth scans in case DD3 was big etc). Take a look at the NICE guidelines, as I believe these ultimately would support your choice.

Stand your ground with them, and make it clear you are decided on what you want. My hospital is very pro VBAC, and offered me VBAC even after 2 previous EMCS for failure to progress / failed induction, but when I said I wanted an ELCS this time, they respected that.

You aren't "a bit of a freak", so don't feel embarrassed about your phobia - insist on what you need to go into this in a calm and positive frame of mind. I have a phobia of medical procedures / situations, and I requested (and got) bumped to the top of the CS list for the day, and my own side room. I explained I wasn't being selfish, but that if they wanted me to act in a sane way, that was the best option for everyone!

Thanks Catsycat, I guess 32 weeks is still early to book it. The way the registrar was talking about going into labour has made me a bit jumpy I guess! I was also a bit upset as the previous Dr had put in my notes that it would be booked at 29 weeks so I was expecting that yesterday and when it didn't occur I was disappointed!