Can you ask for a C-Section?

[novemberchild]

Has anyone had a Caesarean just because they wanted one on the NHS?

Early days for me, but I was just wondering because I am older now, and DS 13 was massive.

How old are you if you don't mind me asking? I'm having an elective C-section on 1st March due to previous experience with DS1. In my case, I was 15 days overdue, complete failure to respond to induction, no contractions, basically no way out other than a C section. This time, I'm 44 so they won't induce me and they won't let me go overdue. So after a lot of thought and wrangling, I decided to opt for an elective and the hospital were fine with it. I think it's just a case of discussing the options with your consultant. I believe there are also some NICE guidelines which state that you can ask for one if you want to.

I'm 38. I've had two inductions at 42 weeks, I didn't seem to respond very well to any 'natural' method. I was in a lot of pain for many hours until I finally had epidurals both times.

My ideal would be to have a home birth, but with my history, it seems unlikely.

I've wondered this too. Currently 7+3 and had such a bad experience with ds. He was huge, overdue and never engaged. After 37 hours a c section was the only option. I really don't want to go through that again.

What has your midwife said? Are they keen to encourage a vaginal birth if they can?

I did - five years ago, so before the NICE guidelines changed to make it easier to get one just because you want one.

My reason was a fear of forceps - I was terrified of them, and wanted to do everything possible to avoid the possibility.

The midwives supported me, but the consultant didn't. I had to argue my case, and she was very against the idea, and I found it quite intimidating. However, I did persist, and I did get granted the section - on my due date as there was no medical reason for it. She asked what I would do if she wouldn't allow it, and I told her I would ask for a second opinion, and continue asking until I got one.

(In the end they had to use forceps anyway, as the baby was so stuck, despite the section. I'm sure this was to do with the shape of my pelvis - my mother and sister both ended up with "stuck" babies, that resulted in the use of rotational forceps or crash c-section under GA. And the obstetrician performing the op said that it was lucky I got the c-section as the alternative would have been a mess.)

Just to add, one of the questions the consultant asked me was if I was aware of the risks of a c-section - she was keen to know that I fully understood what I was asking for, including the risk for subsequent births and babies. So make sure you go in fully informed.

They should offer you an elcs if you ask - see under section 1.2.9. (Which came into force in 2011).
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg132/chapter/1-Guidance