My consultants didn't agree and Im so confused

[Baby2018]

Hey All

I dont really know what to do about this, and feel a bit worried and powerless. Ive got congested womb syndrome ( loads of varicose veins in my pelvis and around my womb) The lady consultant who diagnosed me a few years ago told me at the time that should I become pregnant she'd advise I had a c section so that any bleeding would be controlled.

Earlier this week at 24 weeks pregnant I saw my new NHS consultant for the first time and voiced how I was there because of my syndrome and that I expected Id have a c section because of what my lady consultant said. I did feel confident I knew what I would need and was quite reassured to have a plan.

This new consultant said he didn't think I needed a c section, and that there'd be bleeding if I did it naturally or if I had a c section so there was no point. I said I felt worried about the risk and would rather a c section as the lady who diagnosed me did a diagnostic lacrostopy ( used a camera) and saw everything clearly for herself and recommended it. Plus it would be more easily controlled.
He said she shouldn't have told me " scary stories" and he thought a c section wasn't needed. I didn't feel like he listened to my point of view and he hadn't looked at my past medical history.

I came home in tears really confused and worried that he could be fobbing me off to avoid the cost of the c section / was he right and was she wrong? she doesn't practice in the UK anymore so I cant check with her and I really dont know what to do or who to believe. I feel like Id rather go for the c section because it feels better safe than sorry but Im sure he will refuse me.

I dont know what to do, Im thinking change hospital or complain to my midwife ? I dont know what I should believe or how to move forward

Do you want a C-section?

If you do look at the NICE guidelines on how to to request one, and have a look on the childbirth part of the forum.

I also suggest you do your own research on the risk of vaginal birth Vs elective C-sections as the NHS won't give you that information. (There are various threads on different forums on Mumsnet with some information. )Instead they will scare you with stats that include emergency C-sections.

In short of you want a particular type of birth you yourself need to know your rights to get one and research possible complications to argue your case.

Second what BlueBug says. If you want a c section you have the right to one under NICE guidelines. Unfortunately all consultants think they are god so he will be resistant. (Of course it's possible you'll see a different consultant again next time who may be more receptive.)

Poster above is correct in that you can request a Caesarean section if you want one.
However, pelvic congestion syndrome is absolutely not a medical indication for Caesarean section. It is not associated with increased bleeding and does not affect childbirth in any way. Your new obstetrician is completely correct.
(I’m a consultant obstetrician in the UK - not yours though!)

I have to say that I do think your new Consultant is probably right and your condition is not an indication for a CS, I don't think the other lady should have told you that really.
As the others have said if you want one, because you want one then that's a different matter but I don't think your condition alone would be a sole reason for one.

Ok thanks for the information guys really appreciate it. Im not dead set on a c section I just want to have advice that adds up so I know what Im doing. Getting two sets of advice felt quite confusing and with all the press around consultants doing everything they can to avoid spending money ( sorry @Nan0Second I don't mean any offence) I was worried that he might just be fobbing me off it's pretty hard to know which advice is the right advice when two experts have different opinions.

In my experience most Consultants aren't over focused on saving money (although obviously hospitals in general are) but they are generally quite risk adverse (again no offence meant to anyone) so if they thought there was a risk and you needed a CS they would definitely recommend that as the plan regardless of cost.

No offence taken.
I would agree that there is a squeeze on the NHS but I have never ever made an individual patient plan based on cost and neither has any other consultant I know. If you need a caesarean you will have one