When can you elect for a cesarian?

[Kona84]

Just wondering in what circumstance you can elect.
Is age a factor?

I asked for on because I'd been told for months he was measuring big. They estimated 9lb 5 in the end, but he was actually 10lb 5, so I was glad! He wasn't big enough by their estimate to automatically be offered one, but I was 10 days late and when they were taking about inducing him, I asked for one, saying I was scared he'd get stuck. The consultant talked to me and said he could be a pond bigger than they thought for all they knew, and offered me a c section. She was spot on. She did it the next morning.

A friend of a friend persuaded them to give her one saying she was terrified of giving birth. Not sure you're automatically offered one based on age, but if it's a consultant led pregnancy I think they'd listen to what you want.

I think you are legally entitled to one if that’s what you want. You are certainly entitled to ask, you don’t have to wait to be offered one.

Guidelines say all women who want a c-section should be allowed one, but in reality it varies from hospital to hospital.
I would imagine many hospitals would be supportive if you also have circumstances which may make VB riskier and you’ve decided you’re happier with the ELCS risks instead.

I've had 4 vaginal births but have requested a c section this time for various reasons. So far the midwives i've seen have been supportive but say i will have to talk to the consultant and should stick to my guns as they will try to talk me out of it. They are confident though that i will be able to have one. As long as you know the risks and can articulate why you feel it's the best option for you hopefully it wont be a problem. Good luck

I’m having an elective with my second, partly due to previous traumatic birth but also age-I’m 42.
I had a consultant appointment at 28 weeks and he agreed readily to the ELCS.

Soundbyte, I was given that impression but the consultant was all for it! What she dug her heels in over was giving me a general anaesthetic, so I had it done under spinal and I would again. I was really scared and asked them to put some music on for me in theatre. They did, but the anaesthetist was quite an old guy. He put some really heavy Beethoven on. One of the nurses kept rolling her eyes and saying she was sorry. Then they brought me a baby which I thought was really sweet. You know, to keep me entertained. Took me a minute to realise he was mine.

I'd have missed all that if I'd been out

@SnoozyLou What a brilliant story 😂 I imagined a bit of a tussle when I asked for one to begin with but they were just like ‘Yep, your choice, you crack on’ so I’m hoping the consultant will be the same!

I am happy for a spinal though over a GA, so that shouldn’t be a problem :)

It depends on your hospital- mine made it incredibly difficult even though i had numerous issues with my first birth. Wasn’t fun digging my heels in

@Soundbyte I found the midwives more reluctant. After months of being told how big I was measuring, I was pretty scared he was going to get stuck by the end though, and I think if you go in convinced it's all going to go to pot, it's more likely to. I had some contractions a few days before and I was shaking so much I couldn't even put my own shoes on. I'd just been telling everyone I was fine and quietly sitting there bricking it on my own, then when they started talking about inducement it hit home hard. I'd wanted a c section all along and hinted at it with my midwife from the start, but she kept brushing it off.

I hope you all get the birth you want

My area are notorious for being very anti-section! My friend had a terrible first birth, 3rd degree tear, forceps, babies arm was broken & severe incontinence following birth. She had to fight & fight for a section, she nearly didn’t get one!

In our area it’s basically, you are offered one if you had an emergency section first time round. Or baby is measuring huge. And obvious health concerns. Age isn’t a factor.

I think legally, if you want one, you should get one. But the NHS is pretty stretched!

I think its very dependant on the area you're in. Be aware that its a medical procedure, and the consultant doesn't HAVE to preform it. The hospital may offer it, but that particular consultant doesnt have to do it. The hospital im at does them, but its really hard to get an elective one through.

Whats your hospital like for them?

Was really easy for me. The midwife tried to guilt trip me, saying most women want what's best for the baby- which is vaginal birth. But if I didn't mind about what's best for the baby, I can have a section no problem. I said I want a section. I don't care what she thinks.

@worried111111 thats terrible!

@Letsallscreamatthesistene yeah I agree. But I was fully prepared, so I just didn't let it at all bother / manipulate me in any way. I thought it was all going to be much, much more difficult. I thought they would send me to counselling etc. So I just took it and saw it for what it was. But another person might have been more hurt by it, so I don't really agree with the approach.

Im 7 and a bit months pregnant and im discovering more and more that people will give you their opinions on your pregnancy regardless of if you ask for them or not. Im learning to filter the bullshit!

OP hopefully you get what you ask for, just stick to your guns. If you want one, you want one and no midwife and their opinions should sway you otherwise!

@Letsallscreamatthesistene oh definitely. Everyone has an opinion on everything. Just block them all out and do what's best for you easier said than done. But practice for parenting- everyone will have an opinion on that too !

It’s meant to be an option for all women but actually they are limiting them more and more. I am on the fence as I think women should have every right to choose but c-sections are more expensive, take up more staff time, are major surgery with all connected risks like infection/recovery etc. mean use of anti-biotics as standard. Blurgh. Really tough one. In Oxfordshire they are very strict on elective c-sections. I mean VERY. Overly really.

Have a chat to your midwife. Def worth raising. They’ll want a medically valid reason though most likely 😬