Hospital not booking in my section, 38 weeks pregnant

[CavCavCav]

I'm currently 38 weeks with a baby that has been breech since the start.

I had an appointment at 36 weeks where we discovered he was still breech and my consultant said let's try and ECV. I said I wasn't comfortable and didn't want to go ahead and asked to book in for a section. He said to make sure I take some time to consider it and we'd discuss again the next week.

I went back the next week for another scan, baby was still breech. I told the consultant that in that week we had tried moxibustion and acupuncture and neither had worked and asked again for a section date. Again he pushed for an ECV and booked an appointment for the Wednesday. I stated I didn't want the appointment or the ECV and he said to keep the appointment and think about it.

I went to the appointment on Wednesday and again asked for a section, he asked me to lie down so he could have a feel which I obliged to and then he said he thinks he can turn the baby. I just felt under so much pressure that I sort of said right ok. He went to get the stuff for the injection and when he came back I was in tears and I said again I really want a section booked in and that I'm not comfortable with the ECV.

He has made another appointment with me for a few days time, again, rather than booking in my section. I'm 38 weeks pregnant and need to know what's going on! I could go into labour at any moment with a breech baby. Please no comments about trying a breech birth or an ECV. I just want to know how I can get my section booked in.

You are quite right. Stick to your guns. Babies can be injured with a botched ECV. Of course there are also plenty that are fine but that's not the point - it has to be your choice.

Be firm. You may be coming across as too 'nice' and the consultant thinks you will succumb to pressure.

They are hoping if they delay long enough, labour will start spontaneously and then even if you have a c-section it will could as 'emergency' rather than 'elective' - maybe that looks better for their stats?

Can you take a friend with you to the next appointment to help assert your rights and advocate for you. You are entitled to ask to be referred to a different consultant if this one isn't capable of listening to you.

Have you got someone who can advocate on your behalf? Have a look online at the NICE guidelines about requesting a section and print them off and take them with you. You are well within your rights to ask for a section and they shouldn't be pressuring you into a procedure you don't want

Ask for another consultant and get your midwife on board too if she’s good. You are well within your rights to have the birth YOU want! Stick to your guns. You should really be booked in for 39 weeks to reduce risk of going into labour with a breech baby. This happened to me with my first who was breech but I was actually booked for 38 weeks as it was 2013 but they’ve now changed it to 39 weeks.

When are you next seeing your consultant? I would stick to your guns and next time request your date for a section, ask for a second opinion from another consultant if they won't listen and 3rdly state that you are not leaving until you have a date for your section. I would also mention that you will be speaking to PALS if nothing happens. You don't need to have an ECV if you don't want one. Your baby your body, be strong and perhaps take someone with you that can give you some support?

Thanks all. My DH comes with me and we do try and insist on it, he's just so breezy and sort of makes another appointment and whisks us out the door. I ended up in tears last time saying I just want a section and I'm scared of going into labour and still got nowhere!

Our next appointment isn't until I'm 38+4!! It all just seems so last minute and I just want a date. Going to phone up tomorrow and try and get it sorted sooner.

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg132/ifp/chapter/Making-decisions-about-how-to-have-your-baby

Be ready with information. Have a look at the link here, the last paragraph in particular. Good advice from others to take someone with you if you feel pressured.

Sorry! Cross posted. Talk to your DH before you go and make it clear you’re on the same page. No wobbling or maybes.