Can I elect to have a c-section for first baby?

[NotQuiteJustYet]

I was wondering if I am allowed to choose to have a section for my first baby?

I've heard tons of stories where people have been declined a section when they've requested one - I was under the impression it came down to our choice.

I'm not saying I will choose to have one but I would like to know if I have the option available. I've done nothing but read statistics of risks for both natural births and sections, so I would not be going into this assuming it's the easy route out.

I did, but I had to keep pushing. The Consultant midwife is the gatekeeper. Just keep pushing and refuse a vaginal birth. They will refer you to a psychiatrist. Go to that appointment, then stand your ground. Birthrights is an excellent organisation who will support you. Stick to your guns!

P.S. It really is the easy route! Mine was a walk in the park! Pain-free and trauma-free. Was home the next day, just on parecetemol and ibruprofen to manage pain. It really was no problem.

Following with interest. Due my first in February and after my mother had the most horrific delivery with my brother and nearly died I would prefer a c section!

I believe according to the NICE guidelines you can, but I would be prepared to have to fight for it without there being a medical reason. Its all about the cost unfortunately and as the nhs is so stretched they will probably try to refuse you. Make sure you are clear and informed with your reasoning when discussing it and do read the NICE guidelines.

Thank you for the advice Ketchup - it's really appreciated.

I've not 100% made up my mind yet but I feel much more comfortable with the idea of something so planned and clinical. Following on from a close friend's baby ending up with a birth injury that killed her and has left her with brain damage, I'd rather do anything I can to ensure little one gets here as safely as possible.

*that NEARLY killed her

What a typo. I'm blaming baby brain for that one.

Er, it's really NOT the easy route. Mine was horrific, I still occasionally have flash-backs to the panic as the consultant was called and the bleeding couldn't be stopped. My 4 NCT classmates had vaginal births and without exception they recovered better than me and all had no issues with breastfeeding etc.

I absolutely know they are necessary and save lives and I had one, but I'd much rather have a good vaginal birth.

Both have big risks and both can be complicated but if you have a medically low-risk pregnancy and Labour progressed well I'd choose vaginal every time.

If there's no medical reason you would have a fight on your hands I think. A section is riskier for both mum and baby so I think it's understandable.

Btw I'm expecting DC2 and will probably have to have an ELCS which I am absolutely dreading.

I did, but I had to keep pushing.

I have nothing helpful to add but I did snort at this :o

A friend of mine (who happens to be a doctor) booked herself in for C sections both times she gave birth.
So it's perfectly possible - though she obviously knows the system and was able to chose her consultant (who happens to be a friend of hers).

That said, I would think very carefully about opting for an elected C section - it does take longer to recover from.

I had one and didn't have to push for it at all (although I'm a doctor so suspect that may have helped!). Definitely the right decision for me, it was an amazing experience and recovery was very quick.

I'm a high-risk pregnancy due to asthma which has worsened significantly during pregnancy. My request wouldn't be because of my asthma though, it's simply because on the whole there is less risk to my baby. I've done a lot of reading regarding the risks of both types of delivery and the likelihood of incidents occurring. I'm definitely under no impression that it would be easier either, I know that some people recover a lot better than others.

I just wanted to know that there was justification for me broaching the subject with my midwife at my 25-week appointment. I worry that my anxiety will just be written off as first-time mum nerves rather than being based on research.

I understand that a planned section is safer than an assisted vaginal birth or emergency / crash section. My emcs was far more painful than my planned cs. I didn't rush recovery with my planned cs though, I didn't go out for a week and stayed in pj's for the best part of two weeks.

Be sure you do research on both sides of the argument.
Vaginal births can go terribly wrong, operative births can to terribly wrong.
And both can be very good experiences.

One thing I'd also consider is how many children you think you might want in the long run?

Be prepared that any gynaecologist/obstetrician worth their salt will want to make sure you fully understand the possible implications of whatever your preferred method of delivery might be.

Fwiw, I had a vaginal delivery followed by CS - both were straightforward.
I opted for a vaginal birth for DSs 3 and 4 simply because I found recovery much faster.

If I were you, I'd contact your midwife now (don't wait until 25 week appointment) and get her to refer you to Consultant Midwife. Whatever you do, don't downplay your fears by saying "maybe I'm just being silly". Midwives are ideologically opposed to birth interventions, and will not help you. You'll have to be strong if you want to fight them.

I had a planned CS with DS2, which I was offered due to horrid labour ending In emergency section the first time.

It was brilliant! No drama, I was so relaxed. Home the next day with really minimal pain. I loved it.

What's a consultant midwife?

My DSIS is a consultant obstetrician. She doesn't recommend ELCS unless medically necessary. They are statistically marginally safer for the baby than a VB, but higher risk for the mother, and in her view the risks to the mother are greater than the possible benefit for the baby. The risk of haemorrhage and possible need for emergency hysterectomy is small but real and in her view means it's not something that should be done unless medically indicated.

The Consultant Midwife is the head honcho in the hospital when it comes to births. She will take a hard line and try to tell you that it's not possible to have an elective c-section. Consult with Birthrights before going to see her. I had nightmares after meeting mine, as she was so controlling over what happened to my body. I had to meet with her several times, each time I had a panic attack. I'll never forgive her.

Sorry to hijack the thread, it's just I have an appointment with a "consultant" on Tuesday to discuss my section, and wondered if it would be an actual consultant or a midwife consultant.

Probably with the Consultant Midwife. Unless you have a medical reason for c-section, in which case, I'm not sure!

OP be prepared to argue your case. I was allowed to request an ELCS for DD2 for mental health reasons. I was referred to a psychiatrist who approved it. My ELCS was straight forward and a great experience. Everything was very quick and efficient. Pain completely under control and I had no issues with breastfeeding. I would say I recovered quicker from the ELCS than from my "natural' vaginal birth. Remember there is a HUGE difference between an emergency and an elective section. You really can't compare the 2
Good luck to you OP

OP, do your research and it will demonstrate to the clinicians looking after you that you are making an informed choice. Start here and there are lots of freely available pieces of research on the NICE website.
www.nice.org.uk/news/article/helping-women-make-informed-choices-about-caesarean-births

Also, check out the RCOG www.rcog.org.uk, again you'll need to do some searching with key terms and scan through unrelated pieces.

You need to be referred to a birth choice clinic (may be known by other names but your MW will know how to steer you, initially). Consultant midwives generally run this, but are not there to block you, more to help ensure you've thoroughly explored and considered your decision.

Happy to chat through anything privately, if you wish. Good luck.