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.

Well I haven't even had a first opinion yet as I can't make it past the gatekeepers (midwives). I will ask again at my 28 week app at the beginning of Jan if they will deign to let me see one of the consultants.

I just keep getting told by midwives that as my CS was 11 years ago I have no change of getting an elective section this time.

And I don't really know what's going on.

I went to see the private consultant at 9 weeks. She said so it on the nhs, I'll look after you. I saw her under the nhs at 12 weeks and that's when she was told she was no longer able to see me as an nhs patient.

If the MW are refusing the request then I would say that amounts to them refusing the procedure even though they have no authority to do that as far as I am aware. I would tell them straight that inline with NICE guidelines I want a second opinion because they are making abdecision and refusing the CS. Also that I want it in writing from them if they are refusing the CS. And that I want a second opinion for someone that can officially make that decision. See what they say to that. From what I know MW have no power to say yes or no o a CS.

It's applauing that they won't even allow you to speak to a consutant. Good luck at your 28 week appointment.

Thankyou.

I've posted on here before about being refused a consultant appointment. I went in with bleeds at 11,17 and 19 weeks, had scan, was told they couldn't see anything wrong and sent home. 20 week scan I was told I had a low lying placenta but given no info other than that - the sonographer blanked me and when I asked to see a consultant I was told it wasn't possible.

I paid for a private scan with a private obstetrician at 23 weeks and he told me there was nothing to worry about, placenta was fine.

It's all such a muddle.

What an awful situation to be stuck in Loopy. No advice, but I hope you will at least manage to speak to someone with authority!!

Little PP, I'm great, just exhausted but it's all worth it. Really Really enjoy these last few days of freedom. My C section would have been Tuesday next wk!!! Good luck. Will keep checking the thread. Xx

Hey guys! Organising a ELCS seems to be either relatively straightforward or a compete nightmare reading through everyone's posts.

I'm still arguing with my consultant. Now 28 weeks and she's still telling me that even if she said yes, she wouldn't be able to book a date at this stage.

I'm progressing through various hoops, which she has lined up that don't seem particularly appropriate or even necessary. I attended a mental health appointment, which I thought I need to attend in line with NICE recommendations - which turned out to be a post natal assessment evaluation, and they would not talk about or recommend CS referral.

I'm awaiting a psych assessment, which I had an urgent referral to at 20 weeks - this is apparently the NICE recommendation. This appointment is suppose to be about whether I understand the implications of a CS.

I've also been told by consultant post this appointment she would have a discussion with me re risks of a CS.

Honestly I'm sick of all these people thinking they know what is best for me. I have put to the consultant that I will jump through whatever hoops she puts in front of me, but it will not change my mind. I feel I have strong medical and psycological reasons for wanting a CS, and if anything they are undermining the confidence .i should have in them as health and welfare professionals.

Oh, and her passing comment at my last meeting with her was - because I have excess fluid atm, that even if we all agree a CS date I am likely to go into labour early. If that happens, it might be too late to do a CS or preferable for me to just progress with delivery of a small baby. So it sounds like whatever birth pan I get in writing, they still feel they can disregard me feelings.

Gaaaaaah!?!

Loopy you can just walk in to a different GP surgery and register there instead of your old crappy one. You never know you may get someone nice! then ask them for consultant referral.

good luck x

Cherry if it helps the reason for my C-section was indirectly because of excess fluid so you never know, it might end up being a good thing. My excess fluid meant my waters went early (35w) because of the pressure. Because it was pressure rather than DS4's head causing the waters to break my labour didn't start and DS4 was in a weird position so I had to have a C-section.

Just thought I'd pop back with an encouraging story. I had my consultant appt on Friday and with very little discussion got my ELCS agreed and booked in there and then! I am only 11 wks and know it will be on July 11th. I am really pleased and hope the others on here who are struggling can take some encouragement from this. I am grateful for all the advice I have read on this thread, as I'm sure taking the right approach helped.

Good luck for Tuesday Littlepeapod

Congratulations on your pg missmiden my dd will be 5 on 11th July. Your hospital are on the ball, mine wouldn't set a date in stone until my 36 week consultant appointment but it was straight forward.

Littlepea only 2 more days eeek, I'm actually getting pretty nervous now, today is my last night at home as iv got to fast in hospital. Trying my hardest to relax but I'm finding it hard. How are you feeling?

MissMidden fantastic news. I am delighted to hear you are getting your birth choice. Thank you so much for sharing so others can get some comfort from it. Thanks for the best wishes for Tuesday.

Terilou I dont think its sunk in yet.... Eeeeeekkkkkk. I cant believe we will have our bundles of joy this time in 48 hours. . God luck with the fasting and do keep in touch. I have final Pre op bloods tomorrow. Eeeeekkkkkkkk.

Thinking of you both terilou and LittlePea! And don't forget to update with the big news and how it all went
MissMidden that's awesome, I only got my date at the 36w appt. Would have loved to know sooner!
11 days to go for me... Starting to sink in now, so I have finally dug out, washed and sorted the baby clothes! Next on the list are hospital bag and putting up the bedside crib, but I figure there's still plenty of time for that

I'm currently only 5+4 and had an ELCS 3 years ago due to DD being breeched.

If I ask my midwife/ GP that my preferred method of delivery this time would be section, can they agree it there and then? Or will I have to fight for it?

great thank you and I will definitely update the thread. I fully intend to keep updating post CS so people can hear ongoing first hand what the recovery is like.

11 days isn't that long. Exciting times for us all.

HalfPint. Your GP and MW can't agree or decline an ELCS. They don't have any say. You need to get an appointment with a consultant obstetrician. You can get a referral from your GP straight to a Consultant. Trying to get MWs to refer you can be a bit hard and they can really drag their feet. However please bear in mind that initially they will probably decline your request and try and get you to have a VB. they will probably argue that this baby probably wont be breach, so you need to prepare yourself before going to the appointment with reasons why you want an ELCS.

Good luck LittlePea and terilou! Will be thinking of you both on Tuesday, and awaiting good news!

Halfpint Congratulations on your bfp! I had ds by emcs 3 almost 3yrs ago, due to undiagnosed breech. My midwife was fab this time; I explained the reasons why I'd like an elcs this time at my booking in appointment, and she said "fine" and wrote 'clc' on the front of my notes (consultant lead care). Haven't encountered any problems; had my first consultant appt when I was 20-ish weeks I think, where they go thru the pro's and con's of both types of delivery. Then last week (36wks pg) I had my 2nd and last appt where they double-checked I still wanted an elcs, and booked me in! I was nervous and thought I'd have to put up a fight, but they honestly didn't question it - guess I've been pretty lucky.

15 more sleeps for me, also at the stage of thinking about washing all the newborn clothes and packing hospital bag

Thanks Slinky

Quick update. I had a bloody show at 4am and started with cramps do they gave called me in to be assessed. If waters have broken then they will perform CS today and if not then they will wait till tomorrow. Eeeeeekkkkkl

Argh! Good luck!

Really hope that doesn't happen for me, as was told last week I tested positive for Group B Streptococcus, meaning if my waters break it can be bad for baby and I'll have to go on IV antibiotics 4hrs before delivery. An elcs negates all of that (good job I wasn't wanting a home or water birth as they would be ruled out now!!).

LittlePeaPod Sun 29-Dec-13 16:36:24
HalfPint. Your GP and MW can't agree or decline an ELCS. They don't have any say. You need to get an appointment with a consultant obstetrician.

Consultant Midwife has said I will definitely get an ELCS in principle if I get pregnant and has the authority to ensure this... so you are not entirely correct. I think its dependant on the institution and individual job roles.

Slinky thank you again. It's all very exciting. DH and I just got back from hospital. I have completely lost the plug thing and go tome uncomfortable cramps. Popping paracetamols every 4 hours My waters have not gone so unless they go sometime today/through the night then I am to be at the hospital for 7.30am.

Fingers crossed your waters don't break..

I can't believe our DD will be here this time tomorrow. Eeeeeeekkkkkkkk

Terilou not sure what time you book in but good luck today and keep us posted.

good luck everyone :) im having to change midwives for other reasons so i will see if the new one is going to refer me as easy as the first...

peeapod thank you and fingers crossed the new MW is as understanding as your last MW... Good luck and keep posted..

Thanks slinky and littlepea Iv got to be in before 8 and they will let me know approx time for surgery in the morning, just collecting together last bits and bobs I need for hospital getting kids tea ready n I'll be on my way eeek.... plus side is I'm no longer nervous just wanna get ds here asap.

Good luck xxx