Did anyone choose a c section? If so how did u approach the subject with consultant?

[RJM17]

Hi

I have a condition called hemiplegic migraine and when I have attacks I completely lose all use of my left hand side. This is brought on by changes in my hormones, my temp going up or me being stressed.
As all if these things can happen in labour I am worried that I will have an attack and end up with an emergency c section then not be able to hold my baby because of it.
I am suffering more frequent attacks since being pregnant because of changes in hormones and therefore looked for info on the Internet.
It is a rare condition so there wasn't a great deal available but what there was people said they had had elective c sections and the few that didn't had ended up on emergency ones.
After reading all this I decided I want an elective c section as don't want to put myself or baby through all that.
So how do I bring this up with the hospital and will they allow me to have this?
Sorry for long post just don't really know what to do as dont know anyone who has had this condition.
Any advice would be great xx

Oh it also puts me at high risk for ore eclampsia so others have had their babies delivered at 37 weeks x

You need to ask for a consultant appointment mention it to your midwife or G.P and take as much documented examples or notes of what you have experienced in the past. Your consultant will then determine the risks etc and make a decision. It depends who you speak to you but having a valid medical reason for an elective c section will mean they will take you seriously. Good luck and be prepared to ask to speak to someone else if they try and brush you off. I don't have experience of your condition but am under midwife and consultant care because I have a narrow sub pubic arch but I will still have to try and give birth naturally as the size of my pelvis doesn't automatically mean a c section. I asked to be referred and my consultant has continued to see me even though there is no longer a medical need but I get an extra scan each time I see them so not complaining.

Thank you. I'm seeing my consultant at twenty weeks so going to discuss it with her then. I am hoping they will do it as I also scared that something is going to go wrong in labour x

I'm having an ELCS, but have decided to go private to avoid having to argue with the NHS about it. However, the NICE guidelines are now on your side if you request a section on the NHS. I have a couple of books about this - the one I liked best was "Choosing Caesarian" by Magnus Murphy and Pauline McDonagh Hull. Well worth a read so you're armed to discuss it in detail with the hospital.

Agree with Pusspuss re book recommendation.

Do your research carefully and explain it clearly to the consultant, sometimes they can be very sympathetic. Are there any articles or reports you could bring along?

From what you describe, it should be a slam dunk to get a elcs from a consultant. I would not worry.

I wouldn't worry at all. I'd imagine you'd have far more trouble persuading your consultant you should give birth vaginally! Even though it's a fairly rare condition, any experienced consultant will have heard of it, or be able to look it up quickly, and you'll definitely have a red flag for the PE alone.

Thank u everyone. I am going to make sure that I have all the info with me and my DH is coming along and he can explain better what happens when I have an attack as a lot of the time I don't know what has happened to me or what is going on around me so depend on him to tell people like my specialist and consultant what has happened.
Hopefully it will be straight forward and they will agree and not make me go through labour x