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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Is this a good enough reason to ask for c-section and do you think they will agree?

22 replies

ConnorTraceptive · 20/08/2007 10:02

Seeing midwife this week and want to ask about c-section for the following reason:

Ds was induced at two weeks overdue, slow progress in labour, ds back to back, was 9lb 11oz and had big head so he got stuck, he got in distress, I had massive bleed during labour, had vontouse, then forceps, 2 blood tranfusions and a mother fucker of an episiotomy (excuse language but i couldn't walk for weeks!)

Dr and Midwife argued in front of me about whether I should have emergency c-section but Dr was determined to get him out with forceps which he did.

Also suffering hyperemesis and just do not think i'll be strong enough to cope with that sort of birth again.

What are my chances???

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harpsichordcarrier · 20/08/2007 10:03

connorT how many weeks are you?

Original poster

ConnorTraceptive · 20/08/2007 10:04

only 12 weeks

OP posts:

harpsichordcarrier · 20/08/2007 10:08

OK, well I appreciate this is on your mind but it is really too early for anyone to make these kind of decisions. you or the health professionals.
there seem to have been many factors in play last time - the induction, bad positioning in particular, size of baby - that contributed to your labour. there is nothing to say that any of these will recur this time.
have you had any kind of debrief of your labour?

Original poster

ConnorTraceptive · 20/08/2007 10:10

No debrief at all harpsi which i think is half the problem, do you think at this stage then the mid wife could just go through my birth notes with me and explain it.

If i could understand it all it may help?

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fedupwasherwoman · 20/08/2007 10:25

Although hyperemesis may make you very weak now, I positively bloomed when the vomitting stopped and had loads of energy in late pregnancy.

I would ask for a c-section later on as a result of the massive episiotomy first time round and having found it all very traumatic, not wanting to repeat the experience etc etc.

However you need to be sure you know what you are asking for and what it will mean, the risks associated with it etc, particularly if you already have a child to look after. Post c-section means no lifting toddler up into car seat, bed or bath etc and no tight hugs and cuddles.

If you research the subject and work out how you will manage post op with a baby and child to care for then ask to speak to a doctor in clinic after a scan at hospital then you have a very good chance of getting a c-section.

Original poster

ConnorTraceptive · 20/08/2007 10:27

thanks fedup, i guess all i can do is talk to the mid wife and get the facts for now

OP posts:

fedupwasherwoman · 20/08/2007 10:28

Be aware that midwives are generally anti c-sections. I had to insist on seeing a doctor at the hospital as the midwives were trying to fob me off at week 36 with "see how you feel later on" type comments.

expatinscotland · 20/08/2007 10:29

I would think so.

Your prior birth trauma is already causing you stress and anxiety.

fedupwasherwoman · 20/08/2007 10:31

I would research the matter youself as the midwife "facts" can be a bit biased.

Search on here for threads on c-sections and links on them to information.

I was repeatedly quoted stats of less than 1 in 4 births is by c-section. Well that's not true if you are over 35 as I was.

I was told I wouldn't be able to drive for at leats 6 weeks. I drove after 3 weeks after checking with GP and insurance conpany to ensure it was legal and fully insured.

snowleopard · 20/08/2007 10:39

I think they will agree. I was offered an elective CS during my first pregnancy because the baby was measuring very big, and also because I have a phobia of internal examinations (of which you have several during labour). I was surprised they'd offer one so easily. I wanted a normal delivery but had an epidural and ended up with a CS after a labour that sounds similar to yours - except they did step in sooner. And they said I should ask for a CS next time if I wanted one and there would be no problem.

You can discuss having a "trial of labour" where you see if it is going straightforwardly (you never know, it might be totally different this time) but you are "on standby" as it were to have a CS instead at any point - without having to wait for it to become an emergency. I don't know if this is general practise everywhere but my midwives talked about it as if it was.

Original poster

ConnorTraceptive · 20/08/2007 10:45

hmm not sure about trial labour as really apart from slow progress all was fine until the last half hour of pushing that's when it all went tits up really.

OP posts:

snowleopard · 20/08/2007 11:17

Well, if you are scared, and want a CS, I think you've got good reason. Also I would raise it now - yes you might change your mind but it's good to get your concerns on their radar early. You can change your birth plan at any time.

Tinkjon · 20/08/2007 12:20

Connor, check out www.csections.org/rights.php for more information. Snowleopard, can I ask whether they were ok about you not having any internals - did they agree to it? I have the exact same phobia - I'm scheduled for a C-section but I'm terrified in case anything happens earlier that will need 'investigating', as it were, and it's really making my pregnancy a misery

NAB3 · 20/08/2007 12:23

I think you need to think very carefully. I can understand your reasoning behind wanting a section but it is a major operation and will take weeks to recover from. My first child was born my emergency section and I still hadn't healed by the time he was 15 months. Subsequent problems led to a retained placenta in pg number 2 and I nearly lost my 3rd baby and my own life with his delivery. Consequently I can't have any more children. Now obviously this was a very bad situation and isn't common but it isn't just a decision about having your baby born. In can effect you for a lot longer than that.
My neighbour had a section as she was too small to deliver and the baby kept going the wrong way. She then went on to have number 2 naturally. each birth is different and hopefully your pregnancy will progress well and you will have a lovely calm birth this time.

Original poster

ConnorTraceptive · 20/08/2007 12:44

thanks for all the advice i know i need to think this through carefully. TBH my biggest fear is bleeding again and i guess there is also a chance of this in a c section so need to weigh upi which is the most risky.

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margoandjerry · 20/08/2007 13:01

NAB3, sorry to hear about your really awful experience. Terrible for you. However, there is a massive difference between elective and emergency CS. My obs told me that in order of safety, births are ranked as follows:

normal birth with no intervention
elective cs
forceps and ventouse deliveries
emergency cs

In other words, if you go for the normal birth and get through without intervention, that's the best outcome but if you are one of the fifty percent who end up with interventions (forceps etc or emergency cs) then those are the two worst outcomes in terms of safety for both mother and child.

I went for an elective CS on the grounds that I knew I wouldn't get to 1. Horrendous family history of 3 and 4 due to enormous head size! My daughter's head is off the chart now at 10 months and was on scans too.

I think you've got a good case for a CS given your previous experience but midwives are very hostile to it, in my experience (I suppose they don't really have the same central role in a CS). I was also told at 32 weeks that it was too early to discuss CS and to wait and see how I felt. I already knew what I wanted so found an obs who agreed with me.

Had an elective (sort of - ended up needing it anyway but the point is I had selected it) and it was lovely. Almost no pain and I was fully mobile within days and could have driven if I had needed to. Agree it's prob much more difficult if you already have a child though.

suwoo · 20/08/2007 13:01

I had an elective section due to traumatic 1st delivery (3rd degree tear, perineal heamatoma, evacuation of placenta/retained products under GA and transfusion) I also have a fairly severe anterior and posterior prolapse and that was the main factor on me insisting on a section for DS. My receovery was great, I was shopping in Manchester city centre on day 5 and back to driving DD to school at 3 weeks. It just depends on the individual, how things will go. DH and I were both adamant that we wanted a section and luckily my gynae consulatant was right behind me.....go for it, if it feels right.

Original poster

ConnorTraceptive · 20/08/2007 13:10

that's interesting margo. Ds's head size was also off the charts and there is a history of big heads on dh's side

There is also history of severe bleeding on my side so i think the chances of a vaginal birth without forceps or ventouse is unlikely.

OP posts:

NAB3 · 20/08/2007 13:10

BTW I hadn't even gone in to labour. A problem was picked up on a scan and the baby had to be delivered immediately.

snowleopard · 20/08/2007 13:17

Hi Tinkjon

I found my midwives extremely sympathetic about my fear of internal exams - they put it all on my birthplan, even wrote a special letter for all the doctors and midwives at the hospital to read so that I wouldn't suddenly find myself having an unexpected internal from someone who'd just arrived. In the event, my contractions were so painful and intense (and so going nowhere in terms of dilation!) that I had an epidural quite early on and after that could not feel the internals, which made it OK for me.

I was such a wreck during pregnancy - my phobia arises from childhood abuse and all those feelings which I thought I had dealt with quite well came to the surface on a tide of hormones. Every time I discussed it with the midwivs I would be in tears and I think this was perhaps why I was taken so seriously. I'm normally a very composed and confident person but eventually I just had to give in and accept I was all over the place. I don't mean to sound cynical at all but if you are upset and terrified, let them know all about it - if they really can understand how hard it is for you, they'll do their best and will help you. But if you brush it under the carpet or just mention it in passing, I think you're more likely to get that "now now don't make a fuss, I've seen up more fanjos than you've had hot dinners" attitude. You have to get past that and really spell out that you need their help.

If it's any help I found that the few I didn't have weren't as bad as I'd anticipated, espeically during labour when you are somewhat preoccupied... good luck, I know it's horrible for you.

snowleopard · 20/08/2007 13:18

oops I meant the few I did have, sorry.

snowleopard · 20/08/2007 13:25

Oh and also - to answer your other question tinkjon - they agreed to minimise the internals so I never had any that weren't necessary (ie to check dilation) and DP could always be there to hold my hand, and they agreed they would always go at my own pace. And this sounds mad but I asked if I could put my hand on the midwife's wrist as she worked, as this makes me feel safer and more in control. I was amazed but they let me do that too. No one ever judged me or showed any impatience with me. In fact I am filling up thinking about how nice they were!

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