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

Asking for a C-section at the last minute!

5 replies

CAnn88 · 01/01/2014 03:53

Hello, I've already asked a similar question to this, but circumstances have changed slightly.

I was going to be induced due to high BP, but it seems to have resolved itself. My consultant still offered to induce as I am incredibly swollen (ice puffed up from my toes to my hips!), but ultimately said there was no medical reason it was necessary. Now, there are a few medical things that are concerning me about vb, some that have only just arrisen. (high fluid, SPD, unstable lie, extremely high anxiety, high bmi) which my consultant seems unperturbed by, but that I am terribly worried about. I know that all of these factors increase chances of intervention, and I'm very scared of the baby getting distressed and having a scary emcs. Any advice would be appreciated as I am very stressed, 39 +3, and can't get access to any unbiased advice. I know the risks of csection, but am wondering whether it might be a good option for me.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Rockchick1984 · 01/01/2014 09:22

Speak to your consultant, explain your worries and see what they say. From the reasons you've said I wouldn't go for a c section, but that's only my opinion.

peeapod · 01/01/2014 09:28

take a look at this thread.. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/1849354-Elective-C-Section-medical-non-medical-reasons

weebigmamma · 01/01/2014 19:26

I would get a consultant's opinion and maybe your GP's too just for comparison. I am also trying to make the decision about birthing options and it's really difficult! The thing worrying me most is also ending up having an EMCS. My consultants have said it's my decision but they think I'd be fine with a vaginal birth even though I had a 3rd degree tear last time. I'm also overweight and they said recovery from a section might be harder because of this. So I don't know what to do but at the minute I am thinking a vaginal birth (with a big epidural!!) might be best. I'm sure I'll change my mind again though. Good luck. Chances are that all will be fine for you whatever you choose. x

vj32 · 01/01/2014 20:18

I would avoid a csec if not medically necessary. You can't lift the baby easily, bf is harder... everything is hard. You say you have a high BMI but are you strong? If they cut your stomach muscles all the others esp back, legs, arms etc have to compensate - you have no idea how much you use your core muscles until you don't have them. Your body will never look the same again as you will have a scar and an overhang of skin. It brings a higher chance of complications in subsequent births...

I had a relatively straightforward emcs and wouldn't recommend it, even with no complications.

RedToothBrush · 01/01/2014 20:27

Given you are in a situation where you might be induced due to a medical reasons, you have a bit of power here. You can refuse ANY medical procedure including induction. I am NOT suggesting you do, but it gives you an additional opportunity to ask what happens if you don't have an induction and what the alternative(s) would be. So from that point of view I don't think its 'too late' to certainly discuss your options.

If you are not happy with the potential risks of a vb and don't feel comfortable with what you are being told, then ask and ask and ask again. You are not being difficult, you just need to know why they are advising one route over another. The most important thing is you feel confident in what they are suggesting is the best option and understanding how they intend to reduce the risks based on your circumstances.

Don't forget they will be monitoring you closely, if you are higher risk. That might mean intervention is more likely. But it also means that they might intervene sooner than someone who is lower risk; is this necessarily a bad thing? It means they are less likely to let things get to a point where it is 'scary'.

Bare in mind that in terms of CS there are various categories. So there are ELCSs, EMCSs and then EMCSs. By that I mean that there are EMCS that are done much earlier and before things reach a critical stage. In the same way that an ELCS shouldn't really be compared with a EMCS there is an argument that not all EMCS should be directly compared to each other because of how planned/urgent they are.

Technically, an EMCS is any CS which is done once you are in labour. A planned ELCS can result in a EMCS, if the woman going into labour, but because its still planned and will be performed earlier its a lot less risky than a crash EMCS. Even an unscheduled EMCS can still be planned to a certain extent, if you go for a trial of labour under close supervision. Perhaps discussing how far they will let things go, or how long they will let you stay in labour before they would consider a CS might help to rest your mind about the risks of having a 'scary' EMCS but still allow you to attempt a VB.

In terms of BMI, they do not currently advice women to have an ELCS on the basis of their BMI alone even if they are statistically more likely to have a CS, because there are higher risks involved than for an 'average' woman. For example in terms of recovery, women with a higher BMI are disproportionately more likely to have a wound infection compared with smaller women.

To me, from what you've said, it sounds like you are not adverse to the idea of a VB in principle; you just want to do the best thing and minimise the risks as much as possible and have become very anxious about it because you have additional health concerns.

I don't think there is a 'right' answer here, just that you need to feel that what ever you do and that you are comfortable with and feel like you can trust the doctors advice. Which is why I suggest the approach I have, rather than asking for an ELCS upfront straightaway. I think it needs to be framed as possible option to help resolve your concerns rather than what you want primarily if that makes sense.

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