Choosing a C-Section? First Baby!

[LaceyB1995]

Hi all,

I’m new to mumsnet but needed some helpful advice and opinions regarding choosing a c-section.

I am 12 weeks pregnant with my first baby and I have been thinking about asking for a c-section.

I have a few medical conditions that I worry will worsen after or become unbearable during labour.

My medical history includes: fibromyalgia, endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, hip pain/problems (likely arthritis but undiagnosed as of yet) plus others.

It’s mainly my hip pain I worry about during labour as I can’t mobilise my hips well without pain. Also with my institial cystis I worry that incontinence will get worse (I already have issues with this) if I go through labour.

As well as these issues I am a bit anxious about labour as my aunty (who has very similar conditions to me) had two traumatic births in the past.

Would these be reason enough for my midwife to agree to a c-section? Is it difficult to request a c-section and what do I need to do to do this?

This is something I’ve really thought through and looked at the positives and negatives on both sides. It’s something I thought about before even falling pregnant I just don’t want to be seen as being “silly”.

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated!

Lacey x

Hi Lacey,

That sounds dreadful for you.

I have an appointment on Tuesday to discuss a c-section with consultant - it’s my first birth but I’ve had crippling pelvic pain to the point where I can hardly walk and the baby is measuring consistently 97th percentile size wise - im so worried about the birth - my sister just had a hugely traumatic time with her big baby which has made me even more nervous. I’m 38 weeks so there isn’t much time to decide, they’ve said they will induce at 40 whatever the outcome.

I have no idea if they will say yes as mine aren’t medical grounds - but I will let you know how it goes and what they ask!

Sorry I can’t be more helpful but hopefully lots of other mammas can give you advice!

X

No advice but am following as I'm in a somewhat similar position - I have arthritis and my hips are quite problematic so I've always been tempted by a c section for that reason. I've also got PTSD and anxiety both of which I think will be adversely impacted by a vaginal birth so I'm hoping between the two, they'll agree to it. I'm only 8 weeks though so a long way to go. Good luck - I hope all is going well with your pregnancy so far

Watching with interest. Recently had a planned c-section (medical grounds as myself and baby were very poorly). Upon leaving the hospital I had to sign a form to basically acknowledge that just because I had a c-section this time around it does not mean I am entitled next time around. This worries me as I would 100% want a c-section next time as the procedure saved mine and my babies lives.

I imagine it depends on yours trust on what they will allow. I do wonder if your hip pain would be worse after a c section and go on longer compared to labour for 24-48 hrs?

X

When you mention this to the midwives they will go through the options and you should have additional appointments with specialists. They will check later down the line as to how viable it is for you to have a baby with the aid of different pain relief, one they mentions to me wash an epidural. I have endo and I have a habit of dislocating my hip.

In the end, both babies (separate occasions) flew out before I had time to think about it

I thought it changed a few years ago so you could opt of a csection throug choice if you wished. Has it changed back? I would imagine you’d need to stand your ground and they’d try to talk you out of it because it’s more expensive. Hold your ground and be prepared for this.

@newdaysameplay I can’t believe they made you sign that. My mw told me at my apt this week since I’d had a csection before no one would force me to labour.

it says here you’re entitled to a csection on non medical grounds but it looks like you might need to jump through their hoops to get it.

If you want a C Section you should get one. Nice guidelines are worth a read.

Thank you all for your replies!

Because of the pregnancy, I have recently come off of the morphine patches I had used previously to help with pain. (Midwife has said I would need to spend longer in hospital after birth as I am allergic to many forms of pain relief and opiates would be my only option).

I know it’s going to take a lot of pushing for a c-section which I guess is the part that worries me because I don’t want to get this horrible stereotype of “too posh to push” as that’s really not the case for me. I guess I just wondered what others experiences were and sadly from what I’ve seen it can be really difficult to get a c-section approved regardless of the NICE guidelines.

Op do you see any consultants about your pre pregnancy ongoing health issues? It might be useful to see if your gp can send you back to see them to get their take on how birth could affect your body. You’d then have this to take to the csection obstetrician to give you more medical sway that you should have one.

The specialist does go through all of your options, I wouldn’t worry about it just yet. Wait until you have seen them first. I was the opposite to you and went in to panic mode when they said I may have to have a c-section. I think it was around 20+ weeks I had the additional appointments. I too am allergic to morphine based drugs so I was concerned about that.
I just think it’s a long time to be worrying about a fight you may not need to have

@newdaysameplay that's so odd, couldn't you have said you weren't prepared to sign it or were they saying you couldn't leave til you did?

Still struggling 20yrs later with my C Section pooch/shelf.
Does anyone have any tips? I run, row, cycle and do band exercises. I'm 5'2" 8 1/2 stone size 8/10
I have terrible stretch marks and I wonder if they are inhibiting my toning.
This has been a struggle for a long time, I don't want surgery. Anyone have any ideas of exercises that help the problem area.

Reasty and Costa... Thank you for your comments regarding signing of the 'no promise of c-section again form'. I did think it was odd at the time but the staff at the hospital made it seem like it was the done/normal thing to do! They gave it to me along with my discharge notes/meds. As a first time Mum I didn't question it and just signed but I must admit it has played on my mind since. I am sure it is to 'save costs' but honestly it makes me so nervous I am considering not having anymore babies which is a shame. It is comforting to know that Reasty has been told they can have another c-section though.

Whatever birth you end up with It recommend doing the NCT antenatal course or another similar course to ease some of your fears and help you have a positive experience. It is an important day in your life and could be a great one but you need to feel confident about it. X

I don't think you need to worry about it to be honest, it can hardly be enforceable, you'll be assessed on need at the time if you fall pregnant again, surely.

For what it's worth I'm on my second pregnancy and had a tough time with the first including third degree tear. I found it surprisingly straightforward to get a section agreed this time even though really there's no medical need for me to have one apart from the tear (and I'd expect a previous c section outweighs this in terms of need.) So it's not always a fight to get one.

You can request one for maternal choice, you’ll be referred to a consultant who will go through the pros and cons. If after that you’d till want one you are entitled to one for maternal choice. Keep requesting to see a different consultant until one says yes, some women change Trust’s to ensures they have a maternal choice section. Read up on NICE guidelines and go armed with the knowledge and evidence to back up your choice

Yep - agree with previous thread. But together a case as to why you want one - have it all written out ready so they can see you have fully considered it - should help.

I luckily live offshore and I was allowed a C section no problem - not sure what the rules are in UK but I went along to my consultant with my reasons and it was no issue

Thank you Costa. Your kind words have put my mind at ease a little. And sorry OP for using your thread to have my own queries answered! It looks like you have had some great advice and I wish you all the best with your pregnancy and delivery of choice x