did you ask for a c section?

[advice451]

Would love to hear peoples experiences of this
Posted the other day that I am going to request one at my appointment tomorrow
Im 30 weeks this weekend is this an ok time to mention it? Its a consultant appointment.

Did you have to stick to your guns and be stubborn in order to get one?
Did you get told no?

Hi I did after a previous emergency c section my consultant didn't refuse at all and basically said my choice told me pros and cons etc. I'm 34 weeks pregnant and book for c section on 15/10 x

Yes I did ask for one, but I'd had a previous EMCS so they didn't put up much of a fight, just made sure I knew all the risks involved.

I requested a elcs and had one. I found once I'd put my case across they were very accommodating.

It depends on your reasons and history. I had an EMCS following a failed ECV due to breech position in my first pregnancy and rapid spontaneous labour. At my early cons appt in this pregnancy they gave me literature on both VBAC and ELCS, so they were definitely willing to discuss it. I will make my decision once we have a better idea of position following my next cons appt (currently 32 weeks and not due to see obs until 36 weeks).
If it is your first pregnancy and there is no medical reason, you may find they are more resistant - NICE guidelines indicate that for tokophobia (fear of VB), women should in the first instance be referred for counselling. All women have the right to CS if that is what they want, but you may need to push for it. If you are under consultant led care you may find this is less of a fight than in MW-led.

Thanks for the advice - i should have specified that this is my first pregnancy... so should i expect more of a struggle?

I am currently 26 weeks pregnant with number 3. Number 1 was a slow and difficult labour in which I was eventually prepared for emergency c section, told the babies oxygen levels were dangerously low but ended up having an episiotomy, failed ventouse and eventually forceps delivery with many tears and stitches. All in all an experience I found traumatic and physical recovery was slow. When it came to ds2 I asked my midwife to refer me to see a consultant to discuss my options. She wasn't keen and tried to persuade me that I should be able to have a normal delivery second time around. I understood that, didn't disagree but really felt I didn't want to take the chance of having that experience second time around . She reluctantly referred me, I saw the Consultant at around 30 weeks. We had a long chat about the different options and risks/benefits of both. I said I wanted to opt for an elective c section and he said fine, was supportive and said he was happy with that and booked me in no arguments. With number 3 everyone so far has assumed I'll be opting for another elective section (I am) and that's been the plan all along. I've always found the Consultants to be very understanding.

It depends on your reasons for wanting one I guess, do some research, read the NICE guidelines and if you come across as well informed I'm sure they will listen and discuss it with you in depth.

Number 1 I requested elcs due to gynae issues and potential/highly likely risk of grade 3/4 tear saw to junior doctors at 20weeks who were shite made me feel an idiot and said oh middle class women reading the nice guidelines (this was 4yrs ago) I told them my consultant recommended one n was based at another hospital they went to consultant obs and came back and said come back at 30weeks, expected a fight saw consultant she knew my gynae consultant well known specialist and said of course you need a section and did all paperwork there n then n gave me a date at 39weeks n actually rang me 2days before saying we have a huge list for your date and you may not get done if any emergencies so any chance you can do tomorrow n I will make sure you are done first which she did :)

This time I have had to be firm in getting seen before 34weeks by a consultant and got app for 32weeks got to discuss vbac which will be a short not happening please can I have my section date :)

Yes. First pregnancy, no particular medical needs. I had to sit through 3 appointments - consultant, senior midwife, consultant - giving my reasons each time and particularly at the first appointment being given a very one sided argument for vaginal birth (and being talked to like a silly little girl). I just sat through it, politely argued my corner and ultimately said "so what next?" and they agreed to it.

Good luck ! Inform yourself about the nice guidelines on "maternal request" sections because they do support your decision and I've never heard of a woman being refused a section after sticking to her guns.

It is worth it. My section went very smoothly, the recovery was quick and easy, my baby has no birth injuries (my main reason for not wanting a v birth) and I have no perineal or worse damage and therefore no incontinence, prolapse, painful sex etc. it was absolutely the right decision and looking back I'm shocked I even considered the alternative.

Yes but I had had one previously. I actually went into labour with dd even though I had a ELCS booked and they tried to persuade me to have a VBAC on arrival at the hospital. They were sharply told where to go and off we went to theatre.

Yes, I requested a c-section at my very first midwife appointment. No fannying around. I have anxieties about vaginal birth and want to be referred for a c-section.

Post 2011 NICE guidelines, your HCPs should support such a request and only be concerned with making sure that you understand what a c-section involves and are not under a misconception that its an easy option. They should offer you counselling, but you don't have to take it. They just want to check that your not feeling forced into this choice because of a lack of support or information or confidence to attempt a vaginal birth.

Apart from one pretty snooty consultant getting judgemental with me, everyone has been fine about this so far (21 weeks). I know some people come up against real opposition, and in the back of my mind I keep expecting this to happen.

If it does, my plan is to use phrases like "Is this a clinical recommendation Dr, or just your personal opinion?" or "I feel like you are putting me under pressure to chose a different mode of birth. Is that intentional?" If they don't concede I would then write a word-for-word account of what they just said and put their name to it and park my arse in their clinic until a second opinion is provided.

This is just me being paranoid and defensive though! I don't think anyone would ever force a woman to give birth against her will, and no midwife in her right mind would want to be on shift if I were forced into a vag delivery...

Glad of this thread!
I have a VBAC appointment at my local hospital. I'm curently almost 13 weeks pregnant with DC2 and with DC1, they spotted complications at 36 weeks. I was induced but suffered a very rare reaction to the induction which led to a lot of problems for me and DC1 (placenta abruption) and needed an EMCS.
I was quite cross, woried, anxious about the VBAC appointment, still am if I'm honest, as I felt very defensive and thought they may 'bully' me into a VBAC when I very much want a c-section.
I'm hoping I have an easy time of it in 4 weeks when I go!

I have only just found out I am pregnant but I am already wondering what to do about this. I had a elcs nearly 11 months ago as dc1 was breach. I know they will want me to go the vbac route but I am worried about the admittedly small risk of the scar rupturing as the consequences would be so bad for the baby. That and the fact that I have now heard so many horror stories from all my friends who had natural births...

Just an update!
Today I had my consultant appointment- I briefly explained my reasons and my consultant booked me and appointment with the senior midwife and said if we come to an agreement at that appointment she will see me back at 36 weeks to plan the c section.
Unsure what to expect from the next appointment now I am expecting a struggle though. It's not for another 3 weeks so I will let you know how I get on!