Elective C-Section (medical/non medical reasons)

[LittlePeaPod]

I understand this subject has been done before. I also know that ECS particularly as personal choice rather than as a medical need is an emotive subject and the debate about CS birth can be particularly contentious.

Considering 1 in 4 women in the UK experience a CS birth I have been disappointed to see how inadequate access to CS antenatal information is, so women can make a truly informed decision. Personally I think it's short-sighted to focus solely on VB and continually emphasise managing pain relief. The NHS is so focused on their target to reduce the 1 in 4 CS due to cost that they are neglecting their responsibilities to those women that choose or want a CS birth regardless of medical need.

I am currently 23+6 and I have chosen to opt for an ECS. There is no medical reason for a CS but this is a birth choice that I want. I understand that CS and VB both carry real but different risks but I believe these risks should be explained to women so we can make informed decisions about which birth risks we wish to take. Unfortunately this is not the case and the push for VB is so endemic in the NHS that women are not receiving the true facts on CS.

For those women like me that want an ECS birth. I just wanted you to know that due to the new NISA guidelines if you want/choose a CS the NHS now have to give you one. They will do everything they can to try and change your mind to the point of trying to scare you and make you feel guilty about your choice. But, regardless of medical need if you insist that a CS is the right choice for you the NHS have to honour your wishes and give you a CS. I am fortunate to have been able to privately pay for independent advice on VB and CS from three different very well respected professionals in the UK (two consultant obstetricians and one consultant in fetal medicine) and also received advice from a close family friend who is a consultant anaesthetist. I was shocked to hear how target driven VBs are in the NGS and how in fact this is what's driving the push for women been made to think they should have a VB and not the safety issue.

Ladies it is your choice how you have your babies and what you do with your body. If you want a CS you can have a CS regardless of medical need on the NHS. My DF and I have just spent a lot of money finding that out. I am 23+6 and the NHS have now confirmed I will be having an ECS and there is no medical or psychological need. I am having it because its my choice. I wanted to share this because prior to spending a fortune getting non biased information I was under the impression that I had to prove a VB was medically necessary, would psychologically affect me or that I had a fear of VB before a CS would be authorised by the NHS. Well that's not the case, its about personal choice. VB or CS you have a right to choose and the NHS have to honour your choice. It's just a shame and has royally pissed me the fuck off that if your choice is an ECS for non medical reasons the NHS are making it so difficult for you to opt for that choice in an informed way.

P.s writer my niece had a baby vaginally almost two weeks ago...text book water birth with just gas and air, and no tears (first baby) and even she said "Now I know why you want a c-section!" Whilst smiling!

I find it shocking that people get their knickers in a twist nm

ooops, that we CHOSE how to birth our children, if anyone asks me why i will absolutely deadpan turn around and say "Well WHY ON EARTH would anyone push a baby through their vagina...thats crazy!"
I think there are good arguements for all births but thankgod we now can voice our concerns and choose! Gl everyone who have consultant appts soon and hope you get the births you desire xx

LittlePea good luck for the 31st!! How exciting. Have you told anyone you're too posh to push yet?

Cant, thanks for sharing your positive experience! I love to hear that ELCS are so much nicer than EMCS.

Slinky hope your appointment goes well!

Great. Thank you. I haven't ha a hence to yet. Typical, when I decide to do it, no one asks. Grrrrr. But I promise to update when I do. . Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Soo I had my consultant appointmemt and finally have the date, not the one I wanted but atleast it's agreed! Littlepeapod they've gave me the 31st so looks like we are elcs partners

Yereeaaaaa... We can swap notes on the day.. Really really pleased for you terilou...

CS birthing twins. .

Yes iv got to go in the night before as iv got gestational diabetes so I need to be monitored while fasting. Iv been given the MRSA swabs and given some antacid tablets to take, its all seeming very real now and less than 2 weeks away eeek

It's 1 week and 6 days today... Eeeeekkkkkkk.

I have to go in at 7am. No food from 12am and no liquids from 6am... I have my Pre-op appointment on the 30th for the bloods. I didn't get any antacid tablets when I had my MRSA swabs though.. Will ask about that..

Pea you'll probably get them at your pre-op. I've got the prescription for mine in my notes; and written down when to take them in my info leaflet, but won't get them till my pre-op on the 3rd.
How cool for you and teri to be birthing buddies!

Thanks Great.. When is your CS booked in for? You can't be long after us?

It's on the 9th, my actual due date So touch wood for no early labour!

I have just found this thread and read through it.

I had my ds by elective section 11 years ago. I had to fight and claw my way for an elective.

I now pregnant again, 25 weeks and. I one is letting me see a consultant. Midwives are saying there is no need for a repeat section so there would be no point asking.

I'm not up for a fight so am contemplating unsing my life saving to pay for one (at the same nhs hosptal, just in the private wing, even the consultant would be the same as she does nhs and private).

I feel like I am being fobbed off all the time

This being my second pregnancy I've only seen a midwife twice anyway - booking and at 16 weeks, different ones. Am due to go for a check at 28 weeks so will ask again.

Thank you for the thread LittlePeaPod; it has been very informative and eye-opening, and I respect your ability to employ such reason in your replies and remain calm in the face of such criticism earlier in the thread. I am expecting to have an ELCS due to neuro problems and I would defend any woman the right to decide delivery method when that decision is based on such awareness and well researched information. We shouldn't have to fight to determine what happens to our bodies, with HCPs or other women, so good luck to all whatever your choice is.

I find it so disheartening to read how much of a fight some posters are having to put up. I really hope you ladies all get the result you want.

Had my consultant appointment this afternoon, and am all booked in for my elcs on 14th Jan! Hope I'm not in the 10% who go into early labour!

Loopy your body, your choice; do some more research and ask for a more supportive mw if necessary?

I thought I'd have a fight but have been fortunate with my care, and have had no problems.

I've asked! I know I'll never see the same midwife twice and hey have flat out refused to let me see a consultant!

It's madness. Although, the midvives on the ward treated me like crap after I'd had ds once they knew my CS was elective. The woman next to me had an emergency CS and the midwife was being lovely to her, telling her how she would be fine in her next pregnancy etc - she thn turned to me and said "of course, as your CS was elective, you'll have a higher chance of complications next time round". The women who had mergency sections were helped out no end (getting up for the first time etc), I was told twice that it was my choice and I had to get on with it.

I'm not lookin forward to that treatment again, another reason I'll probably almost bankrupt myself to pay for it.

Loopy-. That's applauing.. It's disgusting to hear how you were treated. If you are finding that the MW are been completely unhelpful you can bypass them. You dont need a MW to refer you to a consultant. I completely bypassed the MWs. All you need is a referral letter from your GP to a consutant and you will get an appointment with them. Can you speak to your GP explain you had a previous CS and you want to discuss your options with a consultant? Get a referral, the MWs can't do anything about it once you are refered.

Swamp. Thank you for your kind words.

Great. You are ony a week behind us. Eeekkk. We can at least share tips for recovery hopefully. I intend to keep updating thread post CS so can share recovery experience with anyone interested in having a CS.

Still checking the thread LittlePeaPod. Good luck. Very interested to hear all about your experience as we are now planning the next! Xx

Littlepeapod - I can't as I don't have an nhs GP, mine is private (had v bad experience with nhs after ds birth so deregistered). (Nhs) Hospitals get very arsey if you have a private GP. She's tried to help me but they refuse to take any referrals off her.

Eve when I was bleeding they made me sit in a and e as the EPU wouldn't take a referal from her for me to be seen right away, even though I provided them with an nhs number.

Loopy. That's really rubbish. Well the other option is going direct. Most Consultants also have a private practice. You can book a private appointment with them and use that as an opportunity its to explain how the MW have behaved and also your reasons for wanting a CS. You can ask them whether they would be willing to take your case on under the NHS at that point. It's worth a try befor you spend your life savings. All you need is for a consultant to agree to take your case on and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Private practice is more likely to accept a private GP referral. Just an idea.

Fraggle. How are you? Your post made me giggle. You really aren't hanging around. Ha ha ha ha ha.

Littlepeapod - I've already done that. The private consultant is actually one of my 'team' consultants but she's not allowed to see me under the nhs, it's seen as a conflict of interests.

She did ask, but was told she could have nothing to do with me under the nhs, so her hands are tied unfortunately.

And yes, she doesn't care at all about my private GP. It's crazy.

loopy. That's crazy. My consultant was one of my private consultants and he just transferred my case into the NHS with no conflict of interest issues. What is their basis for the conflict of interest? It doesn't make any sense?

Just another thought and sorry if you have already considered this. You are entitled to a second opinion if you are unhappy with your maternity care or if you request for a maternal CS is rejected. The second opinion doesn't have to come from a consultant in the same NHS tust/hospital. Can your private consultant give you a name of a consutant you can request a second opinion from?