Elective C Sections

[BaDumShh]

Just asking for general information really.

Has anyone on here requested an elective C Section for non-medical reasons? (i.e. severe anxiety/fear over VB) What was the response from the doctor/midwife, were you refused the procedure or did they agree to it? Was it a huge battle to get them to agree?

Elcs is not an easier option. I understand the anxiety. Giving birth has always made me anxious.
I experienced labour resulting in an emcs and my 2nd 10 years later was an Elcs brought forward 2 days due to labour starting. I requested a date for an Elcs because I was traumatised by my first experience. I'm drip feeding here, 10 days overdue one week active labour no progression, epidural given water broke, babys heartrate falling rapidly, cord knotted around neck, very fast emcs followed by resuscitation. Baby was seconds away from being pronounced. Worst time of my life. He's now 12. I had secondary infertility for 10 years and other problems I have always suspected( but not had confirmed ) caused by the emcs.
I don't want any of this to add to your anxiety and I wanted to do a vbac. I had multiple complications during pregnancy caused by the emcs. So I asked for the elcs date to be set because I didn't want to go over my due date and have a repeat even though I knew the chances were slim.
I weighed up the odds of both options and after many many appointment's and discussions I had the date but was going to try a vbac.
Elcs booked for 39+4 started active labour 39+1 and 39+2 after a few complications they brought forward the elcs. This time has been better as in no complications pp and recovery was shorter. Dd healthy.
But I wouldn't change how it panned out I would always personally try labour before cs.
Again not wanting to add to your anxiety my experience is not very common.
Talk to as many professionals as you can and come up with a plan that suits you.

Yes I have had two c sections due to primary tokophobia (severe fear of childbirth in someone who has not given birth). This is a fear that has preoccupied me for as long as I can remember and for many years I believed I would never be able to have children for this reason. I was very open about my problems from the outset and was surprised at the fabulous understanding and support I received. I was even offered counselling in my first pregnancy as just BEING pregnant was causing me such anxiety. Reflect on your feelings and get accustomed to speaking about it (which I found very upsetting first time round) and I hope you will receive the same support. For info, I had my first daughter in Surrey and my second in Manchester- the support I received in both areas was excellent.

Robin Thanks, that's an informative answer. I understand from a legal view that it is different, however that labour "results" from it is the act v omission bias I'm referring to. To me, it seems like you have two options, with two sets of risks.

As for everyone saying cesareans aren't easy, mine was pretty pain free. Obviously that's not the same for everyone.

I had a section and,was in hospital for a month after with complications and had to have a further operation.

Just saying it's not a straightforward option!

I would very much like to see balanced risk information on VB being given to all women. I'm currently requesting an ELCS as I don't want a VBAC after last time. The information I've been given is highly skewed towards a VBAC, which is obvious when you look up corresponding CS risks.

Last July the New Scientist published this article: www.newscientist.com/article/mg23130813-000-uk-doctors-may-starting-warning-women-of-childbirth-risks and I'd very much like to see risks properly explained, not ignored because they're so common/might not happen to you

DuggeeHugs that article is really interesting, thank you. I've saved it for future reference for when I'm pregnant. The part about older mothers having more difficulty giving birth and needing more assistance is very interesting, as I'm in my early 30s.

I'm following this with interest. I've had an ELCS for breech baby and a VBAC that was very traumatic. If I have another baby, I would like to request a ELCS.

I had anxiety about giving birth, I've suffered with generalised anxiety disorder so it was pretty bad. I did hypnobirthing and it genuinely changed my brain, I ended up looking forward to it!
Sod's law I ended up with a EMCS and the recovery was bloody awful.
All these people that say c sections are easy for people to 'posh to push' is a load of rubbish, it's a big operation.
Anyway, im not trying to put you off but maybe give hypnobirthing a go? I can't emphasise enough how much I was dreading it.

Last summer I had an elective section at 40 weeks, recovery was fine I think. I'm not in the same boat as you because I had 2 previous emergency sections, the second was one of those 3 day labours with mostly no pain relief and it was horrible. BUT, I tried to fight for a natural birth last year and was shocked that none of the women in my baby group of friends agreed with it. When I told them I was trying for a natural birth they all started listing off their problems and bad stories and said if they could've had a section they would. I know several people who have very straightforward births but also many who had problems so as far as I can see there definitely is fact behind birthing fear. It helped me enormously to join groups of people who were, or had been in the same position as me for advice and support so I definitely recommend looking for a group.

Ba Yes, the older mother's bit is relevant to me. That, coupled with some of the physiological risks they mention but that were dismissed as 'nerves' by the midwives first time around, would have had me booking an ELCS rather than risking something that had a low chance of success without issues. Unfortunately being pro-VB appears to be more important than being honest about risk in my trust.

Giving birth, whichever method you use, is neither safe nor easy. It would be nice to have that acknowledged.

Don't be too scared that people won't listen. I know some won't and some are quite forceful about having a vaginal birth but I've found both consultants I've had to be very understanding.
To clarify, I was actually far more fearful of a section than a vaginal birth and the first time they tried induction and listened to me until I actually had an emergency section because my induction failed.
This time I am still trying to avoid a section and, although they think I'll be better off having a section, we are exploring all avenues before I have an elective one. I did say I wanted to avoid an induction as it failed last time and it was hellish and they've listened to me and said I won't be having an induction at all.
Saying that, At 28 weeks I'm reconsidering an induction as I found the recovery from a section really difficult as I lost a lot of blood!
Some (hopefully most!) consultants do listen to your wishes!

Mental health IS a medical reason.

Hi - I am having an ELCS in a few weeks and I literally could not be happier about it. I did not have any real difficulty in getting this booked either but I did do a LOT of homework and had the benefit/head start of needing to see a consultant about something and that's where I raised it. It has been plain sailing since then and I booked my op date when I was 32 weeks. I decided not to have counselling although they did offer it to me if I wanted to try vaginal birth.

Is it the easy option? The bottom line is that without a crystal ball you just don't know. Some people have quicker recoveries from vaginal birth but some people have a long and painful recovery from it. Same with a C Section. It can also be very different with emergency v elective sections. I know people who have been up and about in no time after a C Section and others who have had to take it much easier. For me knowing exactly what will be happening to me is wonderful vs pot luck on vaginal birth. Like you, I know very few people who have not had complications with vaginal birth. I also know a lot of people who have had vaginal birth AND a C Section and they all say they would have the C Section again every time.

Do not let judgement of others impact on your decision. Whatever you decide you have to be happy with it and the only way to do that is to do your homework on the subject.

I do think that some midwives are very pushy and unkind on the matter, for example I had one that was aggressively anti anything but vaginal birth and she told me that I shouldn't even consider an epidural as pain relief when I have my baby. I think that's a disgrace, she was very unprofessional and I changed my midwife after that. The best person to speak to in my opinion is a consultant. They are much more informative, kind, reasonable and knowledgeable. Hence they are consultants!

Good luck with TTC! And I hope you manage to work out what you want : )

My MW fobbed me off when I wanted to discuss ELCS, so I went to my GP and explained how anxious I was about VB and asked to be referred to a consultant at the hospital. She ended up referring me to Birth Support where I spoke to a really lovely midwife about my concerns and was referred to the consultant by her. Spent about an hour with the consultant (it felt like he was really questioning me hard about my choice, but I stayed firm and I think really he was just making sure that I knew the risks). Agreed on that day to an ELCS and he booked my date in then and there. I wasn't referred for counselling at any point, but I was questioned hard by birth support MW and then consultant. As long as you do your research on the risks of CS and clearly tell them your fears you should be fine.