Can I refuse a vaginal birth?

[Pollypocket84]

This is my 2nd baby I am 37 weeks and I have just been in the hospital trying to get the baby to turn as she is currently breech and has decided she doesn't like the idea of turning! After talking it through with my midwife she wants me to try and have her vaginally which petrifies me! I had an awful first birth and have spoken to her repeatedly about how terrified I am this time round. Can I say no? Can I say if she's not turned by 38 weeks I want booking in for a c?

I'm in the UK not sure if the NHS would do things differently

Yeah you absolutely can. An LSCS is always advised in the case of a Breech baby. Some consultants and midwives might be willing to attempt a vaginal breech if the mother is very keen but most are understandably not that keen.

Hi OP, I know nothing, but a quick google found this leaflet which says "Research has shown that planned caesarean section is safer for your baby than a vaginal breech birth. Caesarean section carries slightly more risk for you than a vaginal birth."

It looks like you're well within your right to choose whatever you're most comfortable with. If your midwife doesn't listen or pressures you into a different decision, then you'll need to make a complaint against them.

Good luck!

Have you seen this leaflet? www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/patients/patient-information-leaflets/pregnancy/breech-baby-large-print-patient-information-leaflet.pdf

Has, looks like we crossed posted @General0rgana

Don’t try and phrase it as “refusing a vaginal birth” - ultimately you might not get the choice, and it sounds like you are being negative.

But if you have a medical reason for wanting a planned c, as given in that leaflet, then you absolutely can request, and should be given a c section

When my baby was breech, I was given the choice to book for a c-section or have an ecv to try and turn the baby. I chose to have her turned but it seems unfair if you've not been given the choice. You shouldn't be made to have an ecv if you don't want one. (Also in the UK)

I'm really surprised by your midwife. My baby was breech and the doctors (I was consultant led for other reasons) were very much 'so you'll have a c-section at 39 weeks. I wouldn't advice a vaginal birth'. I tried the ecv but it didn't work, had a lovely c-section birth.

If you don’t feel listened to, you can ask to speak to another midwife, or the Midwifery Coordinator.

There is still a good month to go until you’re out of time, so there’s still time for baby to turn. Google is your friend here, you can research options in terms of moving baby.

Good luck.

You absolutely can. Your midwife might want you to try but it’s not her body or her baby so she doesn’t get to decide.

If I were you I’d ask for an elective section to be booked now for 39 weeks and if you go into labour before then with baby still in breech position then for your wish for c section to be documented. As long as you are not in very advanced labour the section should be performed