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Original poster

Elective Caesarean - Advice

54 replies

Discomonkfish · 24/08/2006 15:33

Hi all, I had an emergency c-section with my first baby and was told by a friend that you can ask for an elective c-section if you want one. Just out of interest I asked a midwife at The Baby Show if this was possible and she said no, they would persuade you to try for a normal birth. Back home in Leeds the Doctor who saw me at the hospital following my scan asked me what I wanted and I said I'd prefer the elective. Not sure I'm doing the right thing but has anyone else chosen to have an elective? Sounds selfish but it means I can plan my time off work, organise my parents to come up and look after dd while I spend time with the new baby and generally take the easy way out! Although yes I understand this is an operation at the end of the day so recovery will be longer / risks associated etc. The fact that they offered it to me though just makes it too easy I think. Plus it must cost the NHS extra. Shouldn't all hospitals encourage you to have a normal birth first and have any of you opted for an elective. btw there's no reason medically why I should have an elective.

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geordiemacminx · 24/08/2006 15:48

Not sure but a friend of mine had a c/s with her first and was told that this would be the case for any further pregnancies... something to do with scar tissue?

mojomands · 24/08/2006 15:49

I thought it was safer to have a c-section if you have already had one due to your uterus rupturing or something? Don't quote me on this. I had a dreadful first birth experience - naturally although it felt very unnatural.
I requested a c-section this time and midwives did their best at talking me out of it wheras the Consultant was totally fine with it!
I'm so relieved the nightmares have now subsided and I looking forward to the birth of my next baby.

TuttiFrutti · 24/08/2006 17:09

Discomonkfish, there are hundreds of threads on this subject - with very strong opinions on both sides.

If you've had one C-section, you are entitled to request an elective C-section next time. However it's not compulsory. Some women feel strongly that they would like to have a vaginal birth (often called VBACs: vaginal birth after a Caesarean). There are a few restrictions on VBACs which don't apply to other vaginal births, such as most hospitals will not give you an epidural or induce you, and some insist on continuous monitoring. Also, there is a risk of the scar rupturing during contractions (which is why they won't induce you as it leads to bigger contractions). This is a small risk, about 0.5%, but if it does happen it is very serious.

Equally a lot of women would prefer a C-section, for all the reasons you mention. Stick to what you want.

wheelsonthebus · 24/08/2006 17:26

i had an elective caesarian - for lots of reasons including the fact that i wanted a specific consultant to deliver by baby - and really appreciated the fact that i could plan around it; the recovery time however was prolonged.

eidsvold · 25/08/2006 03:23

yup - had an emergency c-section 1st time round and then despiet wanting a VBAC ( for recovery reasons) went with an elective and will again with no3.

TuttiFrutti · 25/08/2006 08:56

Eidsvoid, are you pregnant??? I didn't know.

eidsvold · 25/08/2006 09:17

yes tutti frutti due end Mar 07.

(sorry for the hijack)

Original poster

Discomonkfish · 28/08/2006 18:48

Thanks very much, I was feeling a bit 'too posh to push' and also a bit wary because of it being an operation at the end of the day and all the risks around that. Feel much better now, thanks! Congratulations eidsvold hope you're not suffering too much with morning sickness etc!

OP posts:

kittywits · 28/08/2006 19:44

Disco I had a n elective section a year after an em section. it was one of the worst decisions I have made. I have sugesquently gone on to have 3 normal births which I am immensly proud of. Sadly I was not proued ofmyelectivesection.
I felt I had no real birth experience and that I had cheated. I know these are my issues but I REALLY wish my consultant hadn't made it so easy for me. It was like booking a hair appointment for heavens sake. I think that sections should not be readily available to women simpley because they want one. For medical reasons yes, for convenience, no, sorry.

mustrunmore · 28/08/2006 19:54

i had an emergency c section 1st time, and elective the second. Wasnt sure it was the best decision, but when i came to it I was very overdue again, and there was no chance of inducing because it failed so totally last time. But I'm ver glad i had another section. It was a much better experience second time round, I dont care in the slightest that I've never had the chance to give birth naturally, i recovered quicker, and I got to have my birth partner of choice with me.

cleaninglady · 28/08/2006 20:10

I had emergency cs with dd and elective with ds 2 1/2 years later - at first advised to do a "trial of labour" which made me uneasy but then later on had to go with elective for medical reasons. TBH if no medical reason then surely its worth trying? I would have loved the satisfaction of a normal birth experience. Although totally understand the planning aspect as it was much easier on my dd and dh with it all arranged and recovery afterwards was hard but easier than with the emergency!

chipkid · 28/08/2006 20:21

I suffered a third degree tear with ds-from which I still suffer unpleasant symptoms. I had an elective with dd as there was a risk of further tearing and increased problems. Loved my elective-if you plan decent after care with friends/family the recovery is managable.

intergalacticwalrus · 28/08/2006 20:21

I am booked in for a CS next week, after having an emergency one 20 months ago. There's probably no reason per se that I couldn't give birth naturally this time, but I went 2 weeks overdue with DS, as his head was too large to engage in my pelvis, and after 18 hours of labour, he got very distressed, and if we hadn't have gone into theather, there's a good chance he wouldn't be here today. I can't go through that again. If I do happen to go into labour spontaneously this time (was induced last time) I will probably see how it goes, but I feel that a CS is the best option for me, even given the recovery time etc.

Lots of people I know who had electives after emergencies have said that they healed much easier afterwards.

Toady · 28/08/2006 20:22

These ladies will give you some good advice, you can email them direct. They have 20 years of experience and should be of help to you.

Daisypops · 28/08/2006 20:52

Am I right in thinking then that you can opt to have a c-section even if there is no medical reason? I expect midwives won't be too keen but can you insist, its your body and your baby afterall?

TuttiFrutti · 29/08/2006 15:56

I think that's true Daisypops, but not many midwives will volunteer this!

LaDiDaDi · 29/08/2006 16:54

It is true as I asked for an elective with no medical reason whatsoever. I just didn't want a vaginal birth. my consultant agreed without too much debate, just made sure that my partner and I were aware of risks and complications and said I could change my mind at any time. In the end had an em. section at 32weeks. Although my wound did come apart and cause me some probs this was because of how ill I was at the time of delivery. I would definitely have another c-section.

bundle · 29/08/2006 16:56

you can ask for a c/s with no medical reason but I would not advise this, as surgery is risky business and not to be entered into lightly

littlemadam · 29/08/2006 17:12

I had elective C section after C section first time around left me with lots of scar tissue.
I wanted a specific consultant to do it, so was booked in with him at 7 months. My consultant was very matter of fact about it all. I think you should go with how you feel.

I was at Leeds too, are you at LGI??

Uwila · 29/08/2006 17:44

I too had an emergency section and then opted for an elective two years later. The only medical reason for the elective section was the fact that I had had a previous section (the medical reason that led to the first section - cord around baby's neck - was not likely to be present again). I have no regrets. It was a great birth experience.

Don't feel guilty about being too posh to push, or any of the nonsense about it being easier. Weigh all the options, the risks, the benefits, disregard other people snotty judgemental comments, and ask for whichever method YOU would prefer.

Good luck

Original poster

Discomonkfish · 01/09/2006 13:04

Thanks ladies, I have felt all of these things. At first I felt it was all too easy to opt for an elective but I suppose it could also be that it wasn't explained to me properly. Plus it is more convenient but I do feel like (as this is my last planned pregnancy)I might regret not trying for a natural birth. You ladies that have had an elective what was your experience like. For example, when did they book your op and when for and did it get postponed etc just would like to know what to expect. Littlemadam yes I had my first at LGI and this next one will also be at LGI. Were you at LGI or Jimmys? What did you think of it second time round?

OP posts:

Uwila · 01/09/2006 14:28

My elective was at Queen Charlotte. It was scheduled at my 36 week appointment. The setion was at just under 39 weeks. I was sheduled to be second on the day. I think there was one emergency who came in and bumbed us both. So, DS was born at 11:50. It was a lovely peaceful experience.

littlemadam · 01/09/2006 14:46

Hi, I was at LGI for both, I was under Gerald Mason both times, and he did the ops, we booked in about 7 months, and first was at 38 weeks, second at 39 weeks, think they leave it later now. I have had two electives, and don't feel at all that I have missed out, I've got two gorgeous children, why would I worry about how they got here????

I only stayed in 2 days with second one, as I had awful blood infection after first c/s, and after second was advised to get out so didn't catch anything .

Have to say wasn't impressed by cleaning firm. Staff are great though, and have some of the best consultants in the UK. When are you due??

time4tea · 01/09/2006 19:33

hello

I had an elective cs (on medical advice DS in breech) and would plump for another elective. My BF had an emergency CS and then wanted a VBAC very much, talked to a few consultants and got a different story on risk of uterine rupture with every consultant, after half an hour of contractions thought, sod this, I'll have that CS now. Another friend did the same thing, VBAC didn't work out, and ended up with CS. I think VBACs can work brilliantly for some, but if you prefer the CS, I would go for it.

melbournemum · 02/09/2006 10:24

hello
I had an elective c-section with ds2 after a very traumatic emergency section with ds1. For me it was the best decision and the consultant/midwives etc simply talked us through all of the options available to us, gave us all the information we needed and then left the decision to us. For us it put a lot of the ghosts of ds1 birth to rest, we had our moment of 'here's your beautiful baby' which we missed out on with ds1 because I had a general aneasthetic with him. I loved the whole day, from waiting together to go to theatre knowing we were about to meet our baby, to that incredible moment he was born, taking photos, holding him, all of those precious moments we'd missed with ds1. I guess I just wanted a guarantee that we'd have that and felt that for me a VBAC was too scary and too 'risky' (risk in terms of not being able to control what was happening). Sorry, am rambling but I don't have any regrets at all :-)

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