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 :)

A friend of mine was suck after the spinal, I was fine both times (so in-queasy in fact that I was wondering what was for lunch at once stage of the surgery).

Everyone reacts differently. I think it's about 50-50, but they can give you drugs pretty quick if needed, or maybe pre-emptively for you.

I just had an ELCS for my first baby confirmed for mental health reasons (general anxiety/panic disorder and emetophobia in particular) at one of the most anti-ELCS trusts in the country, so it is definitely possible. I saw a perinatal psychiatrist and explained that I was concerned that 1) a traumatic birth experience might cause a setback in my mental health after birth and 2) I wouldn't be able to labour optimally because of panic attacks which would increase risk of interventions. To my surprise he was very much on board with the ELCS and it was confirmed within days.

Before this was sorted out I had also already been referred to another trust, who agreed to do an ELCS based on maternal choice only even regardless of my mental health issues. If you're not supported at your hospital, contact Birthrights, they were very helpful. I got my referral to the other trust through my GP, which bypasses the potentially long route based on a mental health diagnosis of midwives/consultants/psychiatrist etc. if that's what you prefer.

@BeckyG86 I've also gone for the ELCS as an emetophobe even though there is still a risk of nausea. It was a difficult choice and I'm still dreading it, but my arguments are these:

• The period in which you may have nausea is much shorter and very predictable (during and immediately after the surgery as opposed to any moment in labour which could be days)
• The theatre staff are prepared with fast-acting drugs (and confirmed to me that I can have all the pre-emptive anti-emetics I want both during the procedure and in recovery) whereas midwives on a busy ward may take a while to give you a tablet
• If you panic during or after the surgery, the baby will be safe and someone else can take care of them, whereas during labour you still need to DO stuff to get it out safely!

I did. I had a few incidents of rfm and was monitored an awful lot, had an ivf pregnancy and was under consultant care from the start( I was very anxious and had to almost beg to have a doctor in charge of my care.)

And my (female) dr was fantastic, I was at st marys in Manchester which is a wonderful hospital.

I asked for a elcs and got one no problem, my baby was delivered at 36 weeks, little bugger just wouldn't kick!!!

We had a little nicu stay, I healed brilliantly and quickly, my dd looked after wonderfully.

Absolutely couldn't fault my care, wouldn't have got better if I'd paid.

I chose to have a c section for my 1st and only baby and it was 100% the best decision And No the doctors/nurses/midwives cannot refuse , doesn’t matter whether requested for medical reasons or not

@Gee1997 it’s the decision of the doctor, not the nurse/midwife and they can refuse. You cannot force a doctor to operate without a clear medical reason. However they are obliged to refer you to someone else for a second opinion if they refuse.

A c section operation is different to any other medical operation, it is a childbirth option, you cannot be refused a c section if requested, regardless of whether you have a medical reason or not. I’m from the uk and even if you have 2nd opinions if a lady wants a c section she cannot be refused. I requested 1 and got 1