Elective C Section

[Heatherous]

Wondering if anyone can help me as I can only find info on EMCS not elective. I've just found out I'm pregnant with my 2nd (only about 6ish weeks). With my first I had to have an elective section as my son was breech. Is it likely I will have the choice to have another section or will I be pushed to have a VBAC?
Thanks!

My experience of the vbac clinic was fantastic- I highly recommend going if you can.

I had a specialist midwife who sat with me, went over all my notes from dc1, gave me real, properly weighed up advice, and proper stats as to the risks and benefits of a vbac. She also went into minute detail of vbac procedure at that hospital and what would and wouldn't be allowed medically- monitoring, pain relief etc. I'm a clinical scientist so I know when I'm being bullshitted, she knew her stuff, and the reading material she gave me was also properly researched and referenced.

Basically the approach was "we'd love you to feel able to try for a vbac. Here's everything you need to make an informed choice, but ultimately it is your decision"

I was then given 2 weeks to go away and think about it, and come back with any questions or decisions. I chose a elcs. She did ask me why, but stressed I didn't have to give a reason if I didn't want to. I was then shown across the hall to the surgeon who booked me in for the next operating day available.

ditzy

Feel free to message me. In Ireland I think it's different. I am getting an elcs after emcs last time and was advised to.

Sorry for hijacking the thread, can I ask those of you who've had elcs before how you choose when if it's not a silly question. I've not been given a date I've just been told before 38 weeks. But some of my friends and relatives have recommended I try and get them to leave it longer just wondering what your thoughts were? Hope they decide for me really. I have my assessment on the 9th September when I will be 36+6.

MrsNEc. It's all dependent on your circumstances. I assume if you are having a CS Pre-39 weeks this is due to some sort of medical need! Most none medical ELCS are done on or fiter 39 weeks.

I had my ELCS agreed at 23/24 weeks from memory but my actual delivery date was set at 34 weeks.

After not fiter..

Sorry forgot to say I had DD at 39+5 and I was in early labour. I wanted to wait as long as possible.

ELCS are usually scheduled for 39 weeks plus. My first one was for 39 plus 3 but my waters broke at 38 plus 3. This time i will be 38 plus 3 because the general impression of the consultant is that i wouldn't make it to next week anyway.

Thanks little yes I think it is medical need I'd just been told it's best to go for the latest date I'm offered but I think they've said 38 to try and avoid me being in labour anyway not for any other reason.

That's helpful too Boo and good luck!

I just wanted to say that I literally did choose to have an ELCS for dd2 because my coccyx got fucked up from a long, long labour and delivery with dd1.

I couldn't risk that pain an months of physiotherapy (all at our expense) again. I took the more predictable odds of ELCS.

This "it's what our bodies were designed to do" 'reason' really irritates me because our bodies were not designed to do anything. We just evolved this way, and it isn't the best way to birth our babies.

OP, I wish you luck with your decision. What I would say is that if you intend on a large family (3+), try a VBAC if you can. If you intend on two, or even one more child after this, a repeat ELCS could work out for you.

Thank you everyone for your replies! It's given me plenty to think about and read up on. To be honest I hadn't really thought about whether I would opt for a CS or try for a VBAC with this baby. I was just interested in hearing other peoples experiences. Like I said earlier you can find lots of info about repeat CS after an EMCS but not elective.

Oh forgot to ask, am
I likely to be automatically referred to a consultant due to previous ELCS?

I'm not planning anymore children after this. We already have 1 and have agreed we just want 2 children. Infact I wanted to talk to the consultant about the possibility of being sterilised if I have a CS but from what I've read on the internet I'm unclear if that's a option during a CS

Hi OP, my experience is that anyone who has had a previous CS has the choice of an ELCS for subsequent births. I have several friends who have been through this, most of them had EMCS for their first births and said the ELCS was a completely different experience which they found very positive in comparison to their first birth. I had an EMCS with my twins when one got into difficulties and it was horrendous and I felt like I had really failed I'm 34 weeks pregnant with DD3 and I am opting for an ELCS because I am terrified of my labour failing to progress as happened the first time I don't want to risk the VBAC. My hospital have been very understanding which is a huge relief but it may be different in different areas. Good luck!

I had an elcs due to breech for dc1. No pressure either way but chose vbac for dc2 which was unsuccessful so had another section (no drama). For dc3 I wanted to attempt vba2c which consultant was fine with, however baby was breech so had elcs again. All sections were fine, recovery straightforward. My scar ruptured during surgery for dc3 so it is very lucky I didn't labour, however the chance of rupture is v.low.

I agree North, your comments are very ill informed and also insensitive.

I think they may sterilise you if you discuss it but bear in mind the failure rate is 1 in 200 compared to 1 in 2000 for vasectomy. I was told another pregnancy would be high risk, so dh stepped up!

I had emcs with dd and Elcs with ds four weeks ago.

It was fine, No one tried to change my mind.

Recovery has been fine too

Reading this thread with interest. I had my booking in appt today. The midwife has referred me to the VBAC clinic, she was supportive when I said I was leaning towards an elcs. Part of me would love to try for a VB, but my fear of ending up with another very long labour and an emcs anyway outweighs that at the moment. I was so utterly exhausted and poorly by the time DS was born that I struggled with him to start with and also found breastfeeding hard. I know a caesarian is a major op, but I figure at least with an elcs I won't be utterly exhausted and will be mentally prepared.

North you are entitled to your opinion and your experience of emcs sounds particularly traumatic, but women don't choose to have an elcs the second time round without giving it serious thought and weighing up the pros and cons.

Could I trouble you with a silly question? Who and when do you ask?

I'm 23 weeks and haven't at any point been asked my plans for the birth- do the midwives assume you want to go the natural route unless you say otherwise? Don't want to leave it too late & feel I have no choice or say? It's my first and I don't have a clue where to start!

Thank you so much.

I had an elective 7 weeks ago, very easy recovery, driving after 11 days. Couldn't bf but that was unrelated (hormonal issues and hypoplasia) amazingly positive experience.

The whole 'it is what our bodies are designed to do' is a crock of shit, some women have too narrow pelvis etc.

Coy you have to raised it otherwise they assume you are having a VB. also unless you have a medical reason I didn't it was choice you will have to fight your corner to get an ELCS. They are targeted to get as many VB as possible and don't easily agree to maternal ELCS requests. I raised it early at my booking in appointment and had the ELCS agreed by a consultant at 23/24 weeks. DD was our first child too.

Also watching this thread with interest. I had an EMCS with our daughter and it was a very positive experience, so I think it's important to remember that while everyone is entitled to an opinion each person has a very different experience of VBAC and CS and we should all respect that. I'll be seeing a consultant to discuss options later into my pregnancy so am interested to find out what she will say. At the moment I am considering an elective CS but I will come back to read this thread fully closer to the time. Very helpful info, thanks all!

Hi, I have been reading these comments with interest. I am 34+3 with a breech baby who has been in this position for at least 4 weeks, possibly more. This is my third child, my first was also breech but they managed to turn him 'successfully' at 38 weeks. However, his labour was traumatic and long and I was left too long struggling when I believe I should have had a cs. All contractions stopped and his heart rate plummeted. The doctor literally put his hands inside me (yuk) and loosened him. The result was my son was born almost lifeless, grey, floppy and not breathing. Luckily he is now a very healthy 8 year old. My point here is both me and my ds would have been much better off with a cs. My recovery was very long, I was in hospital for a week and couldn't get around for 5 weeks after. I am not sure if his problems may have been down to the turning from breech (all docs say it is safe but there are many stories on the internet that suggest otherwise) but for that reason if this LO stays breech we will not be having her turned and will instead opt for a ELCS.

To be quite honest, I think that both my vaginal births so far have been traumatic. (DD arrived in a complete hurry with only my DH there to catch her on the dining room floor. Midwives and two ambulances failed to get there in time.) An ELCS for me would almost be a welcome option after two very extreme births and whatever 'risks' they tell you they are surely no different to natural birth. At least I will know that my baby will be out within a few minutes and I believe it is safer for them that way than risking the whole 'birth canal' issue that I had with DS.

It is a very personal choice and not one taken lightly by any mum-to-be who just wants to have their LO safely in their arms.

(PS) We had a second trimester loss before this pregnancy which has scarred me for life. Never underestimate mental issues of the mother when deciding whether to go for ELCS or not.

North, I chose to have the major surgery because I was still traumatised from my daughter's birth. The only thing 'natural' about it was that we both nearly died in the process. Good grief.

To whoever asked about timing, I was booked in for the section at 32 weeks. I had monthly appointments with the consultant's subordinates where I said "I want a section" and they all said "Oh you do understand it's major surgery" blah blah. In fact spoke to me as if I was an imbecile, much like North did further up the thread. My final appointment was with the consultant himself, and I told him I wanted a section and he went to get the diary to book a date. It was booked for 39 weeks, but annoyingly I went into labour at 38+4. I still had my section but it was now classed as an emergency of the least serious kind, and took place at 2am!