To demand a caesarean

[angel772]

I’m 33 weeks pregnant and have gestational diabetes. I’ve been discussing birth options with my midwife and she’s adamant they should induce me early if the baby’s getting too big, or let me go to 40 weeks if not. I suggested a caesarean but she said induction was the preferred route with an EMCS if required.

Having looked into this, I came across this link and am now absolutely panicking that my baby could have oxygen starvation during birth, leading to severe disabilities:

www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/ceiras-story/

I can’t for the life of me understand why the hospital are even considering making me try for a vaginal birth given the huge risks to my baby, who is already on the large side (5.5lb!!) and so could very easily get stuck. I feel women are offered caesareans for much less and can’t see why it’s not been put forward as an option for me. Why are they risking my baby’s health and WWYD?!

@OhClover yes also frustrated to at the naive simplistic idea that vaginal birth is ‘way safer’ with far less risks, ditto that drs always know and recommend the ‘best and safest’ option by far. Unfortunately childbirth is very complex and it’s not as straightforward as that.

I moved home part-way through my second pregnancy and transferred hospitals. 1st hospital wouldn’t give option for caesarean despite the fact I’d had one previously, was told VBAC by far best and safest option by the drs and midwives. They had a policy not to offer c-section simply for the reason alone of having had a previous one. 2nd hospital I suddenly had a clear choice between VBAC or c-section and they happily offered a c-section to all women who’d previously had one. My consultant said it was a perfectly valid choice as VBAC came with its own risks. So two hospitals a mere hour apart and I’m given completely different options and information. Makes me quite cross how it can differ. Also noticed how both had different time scales for inducing- hospital A would induce at 7 days overdue whilst hospital B not until 12 days overdue. I think it just shows that’s it’s not always best to just blindly follow the advice and assume it’s the only way, look for more information to try and get a more balanced approach, it’s something that can affect the rest of your life.

I had GD and can totally relate to your thinking. I was meant to be induced but had an elective c section because she was transverse. Unfortunately it all went wrong, she ended up stuck and was delivered unresponsive. She is absolutely fine now but did break her arm during the delivery. I don’t mean to scare you but I thought you should know that electives can also go wrong. There is no fully safe option. I would see what your baby’s estimated birth weight is nearer the time and if still large push for the section. There is a really good Facebook group for the website you linked to- I would chat to the ladies on there who have been in your position and will provide you with reassurance and support.

I would push for the c section. When they go through the consent form with you you realise that all the ‘risks of major abdominal surgery’ are actually extremely low. Induction might be the cheapest or easiest option for your hospital. I’m with you on feeling that if there are known complications then c section is the safest thing for your baby.

I would push for a c-section. Anyone can request one for any reason, they just don't offer and will try to encourage you to go for a vaginal delivery. If you have made up your mind, be persistent.

I've had 2 c-sections, it's a tough recovery but so it would be if you had a birth injury or even more for an emergency cs.

It's true the weight estimates are rubbish. Your baby is probably not that big. But it might be. They estimated my DS would be 9lb and he was actually 11. Not to scare you but they can underestimate as well as overestimate. Good luck

I wanted to share my story in the hope it will came some fears.

I've given birth three times. My first was my largest at 10 pounds 2. He was born at 41 weeks with no induction a strait forward birth. My third baby I had insulin requiring GD which was uncontrollable in the last 10 days. I had an induced birth at 38 weeks. Labour was 18 minutes. She was 6 pounds.

Op you made a comment about head circumference, I birthed my daughter with a head circumference of 95% vaginally and all was fine. I feel you have lost confidence in your body to birth your child, I know someone else mentioned hypno birthing but maybe take a read up on it? Many women birth larger babies totally safely and many women need intervention with babies on the smaller side, weight and head circumference are only a small part of the story. Please don't read horror birth stories on the internet, it makes us far too anxious. Also I bet here are horror c section stories out there too, this is not a 100% safe option either. Like others have said please stop panicking and speak to the consultant

I would say (I had a EMCS as my baby got stuck during labour, but I tried for 24 hours first) Only have a c-section if you absolutely medically have to. It's not a joke, and has an affect on many things (ability to feed, care for yourself and baby, mental health, moving around) for weeks afterwards. And this is if recovery goes well.

You have a right to a cs and a lot of inductions lead to ecs anyway, which is why I ended up getting one. You have a right to push this further.

I actually found cs recovery ok :)

You need to do all you can to get the GD under control.
You also might benefit from talking to someone about anxiety.

My baby was 10lb.

Ask to be referred to another consultant that is your right and keep in asking until you get a sympathetic consultant. In my experience they won't agree to it until a few weeks before your due date keep in asking and insisting to not budge if this i what you want.

I had an ELCS - it was great! Calm, controlled, smooth recovery. No pain killers needed after 10 days. Compared to my vaginal birth which was traumatic and caused me a lot of pain for months afterwards, I'd choose a c section over a vaginal birth any day of the week! OP you have the right to request a cs if you want one. There's a lot of demonising of c section births on here - they are actually very safe and recovery is often straightforward. Good luck.

Vaginal birth squeezes the baby's lungs so they are ready to take in air. C-section doesn't let that process happen. Trust your professionals.

What @Lougle said, we spent a week in scbu with ds because he developed respiratory distress syndrome. I had gd and he was expected to be big, I needed an EMCS for other reasons but he was only 8lbs 13 (not the 10+lbs the scans indicated!).
Given the choice I would deliver vaginally over cs. Being in scbu was the worst experience of my life and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Apparently it's fairly common in section babies to need that extra help.

You have the right to a caeserian - you can speak to Pals or a numbrt of pregnancy charities to help enforce your right to have a caeserian. I found my local positive birth movement a really useful source of advice and information - so maybe check that out - they vary quite a lot but most are great and gave fair impartial advice.

You dont need a second opinion to be provided with a caeserian. By all means speak to another consultant for more info.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/29/british-women-right-caesarean-too-posh-to-push

If you and the the baby are healthy enough to have a natural birth why put more strain on the nhs because your to worried to push?

have you asked? I have an elected c section booked for 2nd july... no medical reason... i was just asked what my preferred method was for 'getting him out' and had already done a lot of research so decided a VB wasn't for me. if you want it (not saying you should FYI) but if you do, then do push and i dont see why they shoudl turn you down. if you do then you can request seeing another doctor, it is with the NICE guidelines

oh not sure where you live but that was at Paddington ST Marys, the doctor says there they believe in the right to choose

I gave birth to two 10lb + babies. Probably late onset GD undiagnosed with both. Vaginal birth, no issues, water birth for both. One story does not outweigh years of training, research and experience.

I had this situation. I went in with my copy of the NICE guidelines and insisted that they referred me to a consultant who was happy to perform the elective and if they wouldnt I said I would change hospitals. I got what I wanted and my child was delivered by c-section. It was pretty much pain free and I was walking about easily after 72 hours . I would do it again in a heart beat. No way was I being induced and risking shoulders getting stuck.

Op, if you do your research about risk of CS vs VB and still want a CS then push for it with your consultant.

NICE guidelines are worth a read as the effectively say a woman can request one and if a consultant or hospital say no, they have to refer you onto someone who will do it

I requested a CS for DS2 for various reasons and went in prepared. The consultant agreed with my reasons and booked me in for 39 weeks exactly

Do your research, go prepared and write down your reasons so you don’t forget in the heat of the moment

Oh also, I’d personally take the CS every day of the week over the VB

It is natural to be anxious about giving birth especially as it gets nearer. I've done it six times and never not felt a little scared!

In the end every birth was normal and my fears were just fears. That is true for the majority of births, big babies included.And that is an encouraging thought!

The consultant hasn’t agreed to the CS. What about an epidural? No pain but full brain power! Less invasive and no operating theatre needed. I don’t think demanding something has to be agreed to by the NHS if they don’t think it’s necessary. It’s a preference.