Elective C-Section for 1st Pregnancy

[mila1988]

Hiya,

I wanted to see whether there are any ladies who opted to have a c-section for their first pregnancies? How was your experience? was it difficult convincing the midwives/doctors?

I've seen many women going for an elective c-section for 2nd pregnancies but haven't heard experiences from women who are having their 1st via elective c-section!

Please share your experiences!

Thanks :)

@mila1988 my advice would be to write your thoughts, feelings and the process you've gone through to reach the decision in a letter. If you're like me you'll be really anxious and I struggled to explain myself. I'd done acres of research (even foi'd my trust to get data on birth outcomes for my age group) and knew the guidelines and risks of both section and vaginal births well. I explained to my consultant that with my fears over all things medical (I have a phobia about doctors, needles etc.) I needed to be as in control as I could be, I needed to be able to know what was happening and when so I could put my coping measures in place, and that neither option was great but I saw section as the lesser of two evils.

This was when I was 8 weeks pregnant for the second time. My consultant agreed it was probably best I had a section due to my fears. Sadly I lost both of those babies early on. However I'm now pregnant (13+3) and have my letter from the consultant agreeing my section at 39 weeks and intend to make sure that's what happens. So far the midwives have taken on board what I've said, looked at the letter and not questioned, so I'm hoping I won't have any hoops to jump through. If you do struggle I'd recommend looking or speaking to birthrights, they are an incredible organisation x

I’d had major abdominal surgery and endured 6 weeks of pain and incapacity, not being able to drive anywhere or even walk far, stuck in the house isolated.

I’ve had four c sections and I don’t recognise this recovery in the slightest. I’d go as far as to say recovery is a couple of days of pain, a couple of weeks of discomfort and times and generally a very predictable recovery which is often better than those who deliver vaginally.

I’d had major abdominal surgery and endured 6 weeks of pain and incapacity, not being able to drive anywhere or even walk far, stuck in the house isolated.

Lol, I've had two sections and I don't recognise thst as recovery at all. A couple of days of discomfort when getting up and down, but happily out and about with life within about 4 days, totally pain free (I did keep on top of painkillers just in case it started to hurt though).

It might be major surgery, but it interfered with life less than a twisted knee that I had from a fall last summer.

Seriously, within three days I was happily pottering round the house forgetting I had surgery most of the time. After the first 10 days or so, the only restriction which I put on myself was no lifting my toddler. I gave up with that and was happily chasing her round the garden at 2w, and picking her up a couple of days after that.

Planned section recovery can be very quick.

If you want one, my advice to you would be to ask sooner rather than later, and be assertive - don’t get fobbed off, my hospital are masters at fobbing off and I wish I’d realised that earlier!

I’ve really shot myself in the foot - I’m currently nearly 38 weeks and wanted an ELCS since I fell pregnant. I asked first in my second trimester and again at 28 weeks and got fobbed off with ‘it’s much too early to discuss it now, you might need one anyway, we’ll talk about it later’.

Then I got told at 30 weeks that he was breech, so I got fobbed off when I tried to raise the subject again (‘no point in discussing it, you’ll have to have one anyway if he stays breech’). Of course, he turned at around 34 weeks. The midwife told me I should discuss it with the consultant at my 36 week appointment (which was actually at 37 weeks) - she said there would be ‘plenty of time’ to schedule one in). But then my 36/7 week appointment was with the registrar because the consultant wasn’t available, and she said I’d need to speak to the consultant, and the next consultant appointment isn’t for 3 weeks. So the registrar just said ‘well prepare yourself for a vaginal birth and if he hasn’t arrived by 40 weeks we can see what the consultant says.’

Sorry for typing that boring story out, but it’s now obvious to me with hindsight that I should have been assertive about it during my second trimester, rather than allowing myself to be fobbed off repeatedly.

@Buddytheelf85 I'd ring pals and explain, and say it's not good enough and that you feel fobbed off and need them to step in on your behalf ASAP. You've asked, repeatedly. That's not fair. Or ask to speak to supervisor of midwives/head of maternity. That's just not on!

Worth pointing out that although you may feel ok to drive after 2 weeks, you won’t be insured to drive until 6 weeks post section. I checked just incase 😂

Different hospitals have different policies. I had an elective first time round, but had to push for it. They even made me see a pyschologist to talk me round my fear of birth However as my reason for wanting one is a family history of HUGE babies and DS was measuring 98th centile at a 32 week growth scan, they gave in eventually. As others have said, ask early and be prepared to be assertive.

It depends on your insurer. I was driving at four weeks and could have driven earlier except DP had a month off so it was easier for him to chauffeur.

I also had a very easy C-section recovery. Pain was minimal, more like discomfort, and it didn't stop me doing anything. Mine was an emergency section too, which tend to be a bit rougher on recovery.

@mila1988 I very MUCH doubt they will allow you to have one, it is a very serious surgery and they only want to do it when its absolutely necessary..

I had a horrific birth with my DD (labour was fine it was after that was the problem) but id rather go through that 10 X over then be cut open! They haven't even given me the option though... You need to speak to a consultant and discuss pain relief/epidural to help with the anxiety x

@Hugtheduggee thats great for you, well done... for someone like me a C-section could lead to a major haemorrhage and bleeding out, thats why we have consultants who try and stop people having unnecessary surgery...

@Celebelly who was your insurer? I’ve just renewed my insurance and I asked the question to so many and they all said 6 weeks. I was asking just incase I end up having an emergency section in March as I am a single parent, no family around and I will need to drive my 6 year old to school and back (5 miles away so no option to walk!)
Obviously hoping it won’t be needed as I had an easy natural birth last time but these things worry me

Mine was eSure. There wasn't anything in documentation so I rang and they said as long as I felt fine to drive. My friend got a sign-off from doctor at four weeks post section as her insurer asked for that.

If I’d had major abdominal surgery and endured 6 weeks of pain and incapacity, not being able to drive anywhere or even walk far, stuck in the house isolated...

I had a c-section and I didn't have any pain in recovery. I didn't even need painkillers when I left the hospital. I was a tiny bit sore for a few days, that was it. I was able to lift and feed my DC with no bother.

I had an ELCS for breech and I don’t recognise some of the stories of recovery here. That’s not to say it’s not without risks , but based on the anecdotal evidence of ladies who were in my antenatal class/NCT/yoga who struggled with recovery were those who ended up with EMCS after long labours.

I had to stay one extra night as my bladder decided not to wake up after catheter removal, but that could of happened with an epidural for forceps etc

I was walking around the block 48 hours after surgery, in town when baby was 1 week old, at a work leaving lunch at 2 weeks and driving at 4 weeks. Insurer said it was fine to drive as soon as I felt ready.

Worth pointing out that although you may feel ok to drive after 2 weeks, you won’t be insured to drive until 6 weeks post section. I checked just incase

Not true. After all four of mine I have had different insurance companies and all have said exactly the same thing: as long as I am capable of doing an emergency stop and do not drive against medical advice they were happy for me to drive whether it was at two weeks, six weeks or two months.

If I’d had major abdominal surgery and endured 6 weeks of pain and incapacity, not being able to drive anywhere or even walk far, stuck in the house isolated...

It’s fairly typical to be discharged from the hospital (usually a minimum stay of 24 hours) with just paracetamol. That’s because even the doctors do not expect you to have six weeks of pain. If you do, then I think you should be seeking medical advice long before the sixth week because something might be wrong.

I had one for my first by maternal request. It was very relaxed and the recovery was easy. I went private though so there was no battle whatsoever- I was just asked if I wanted a section or VB and that was that. Insurance said I could drive when I felt ready so that wasn’t an issue.

I am following this as it is something I would like advice on too. It is something I would like to consider and have the option to have. I know we should have the option to choose it and I know it will be encouraged to not have unless it is necessary. My Husband said he’ll support me in whatever decision I make. I am only 14+5 weeks so I know it is early days yet, and not had the discussions yet to the hospital/midwife.

Mine is due to emetophobia. I have suffered anxiety with it during pregnancy and going through CBT. I have been reading in to labour and how a lot of people have suffered nausea and/or vomiting in labour or when they start to go in to labour, so I would like to have the option of having a c section with an epidural and pumped up with anti-emetics (anti-sickness) medication. I have seen things from people with emetophobia and most commonly they have had c sections with epidurals and anti-emetics and have been ok, so I feel it will take away a lot of my anxiety. I know it is different for everyone, and everyone has different experiences, I appreciate that. I don’t mind the longer recovery time. I understand that everyone recovers differently and how there are risks of complications or long term problems, but should all go well the recovery is short term. I just want to do everything I can to avoid nausea and vomiting. I am lucky that I have plenty of support around me if I do have a c section. My Husband gets his two weeks paternity leave at full pay, and can also book annual leave on top of that. His work are flexible and he can take his paternity leave at any time within the first so many days of the baby being born as well so he doesn’t have to start it on the day the baby is born. My parents are retired, my Mother-in-Law is a Health Visitor and took part-time retirement. They all drive as well and I know they would all be happy to help.

I do have my second midwife appointment tomorrow at the GP, I am wondering if they will start discussing this with me soon.

My sister for one for her first baby, she had to go privately to a consultant.

She had a lovely experience and went on to have a second child, by c section also.

Up until 20 weeks she was stressed out, then she met the consultant, he agreed the section, and she immediately started enjoying the pregnancy.

Even on the day, the midwives were trying to convince her not to do it, but she had the consultant in her corner so she went ahead with what she wanted.

It was the best thing for her. Good luck.

I'm due in 6 weeks by elective section with my first. I went armed with every bit of information and all my arguments written out (lawyer!). First consultant having none of it even though I had medical evidence and support from my neurologist. Turns out she hadn't read any of my medical history as the second consultant agreed immediately on medical grounds and apologised for the section not being booked in before! You will need to go in prepared with the birthrights.org.uk 2018 report, highlighted relevant sections of the NICE guidelines, case law on maternal consent such as Montgomery v Lanarkshire and an actual argument. Best of luck OP.

Becky not wanting to freak you out but I was sick in recovery after my c-section. I also nearly threw up in theatre after the spinal but before they started the procedure. I was told by my medical team that both are very common. Also you mention epidurals but they typically use a spinal block for elective sections. I’d encourage you to discuss it with your midwife so you can make a fully informed decision and sorry if I’m disappointing you but I thought I should say that in my experience a section isn’t necessarily a way to avoid vomiting. Good luck.

To add to PP, I had no nausea with my vb. I think it's more common not to have nausea than it is to have it.

Lots of scare stories on here, both about the difficulty getting consultant to agree, and the recovery.

I had an elective section for my first (and only) I was sure I wanted section, I have hypermobilty syndrome and fibromyalgia and knowing how my body reacts to things something just told me it would be easier to recover from surgery than the immense strain my body would be put under during labour. I also suffered with SPD severely from about 15 weeks, so mobility was limited.

The first consultant (male) I saw did try to put me off, but not aggressively, in fact came out with some stupid stuff along the lines of "you don't have to push to give birth" "we can pump you full of morphine" "we'll deliver the baby whatever, women in comas give birth". Not exactly reassuring and just made me think he was an idiot! I didn't need to read my rights or anything, just made it clear I knew the risks. I agreed to discuss it again at my next scan a few weeks later.

The second consultant (female) just asked if I still wanted the section, which I did, so booked it without any further questions. Despite my reasoning for wanting it based on my medical conditions, it still went down as maternal request.

I actually ended up with a semi-emergency section, as my waters broke 2 days before my booked date. However as there was no risk to me or baby it was still very calm and relaxed. My recovery was straightforward, with no complications from my other conditions either. 2 nights in hospital, managed a trip to Asda 5 days after. Would definitely have an elective again.

All my birth plan on my notes app says at the moment is anti emetics. Not made any decisions yet, and I am one to not take medications for anything (I don’t take paracetamol for a headache even), but when it comes to sick I will!

I did mean spinal, sorry! Getting myself mixed up!

It took me long enough to be ready to try for a baby because of the emetophobia! I will see what midwives say, it’s a bit early for me to make any decisions yet. Mind you, my Husband putting One Born Every Minute on yesterday wasn’t helping me much! Hehe!

also nearly threw up in theatre after the spinal but before they started the procedure. I was told by my medical team that both are very common.

This is true and if you are likely to be or feel sick let the anaesthetist know otherwise let them know as soon as you begin feeling at all queasy as the sickness feeling is very easily reversed as long as they know. It’s usually caused purely by low blood pressure so it’s not a sinister reason.