To opt for a C section or not?!

[EmC96]

Hello!

I don’t know if it’s an option for me or if it’s too late to decide. I’m 37+4 weeks pregnant. All long I’ve wanted a natural birth and hated the thought of recovery from a c section etc and not being able to care for my baby myself.

However I was diagnosed with Crohn’s in January, my bloods show that I’m malnourished and my heart rate is tachycardia. I’m worried my
Body will not cope with labour.

What’s everyone’s thoughts?

It's obviously entirely up to you and you can request at any stage. However if it's medical concerns I would encourage you to get a consultant appointment ASAP and have them outline the risks/benefits for you and your health as well as babies from each type of delivery.
Make your decision from there. Maybe see 2 consultants if you can and speak to your gastroenterologist.
I really wouldn't make a decision based on mums net responses!

Good luck xxx

Hello there, I have tachycardia too. It came on around 4 weeks ago. I am thinking the same as you and I’m not too far behind you 36 weeks. I’m going to ask as I struggle standing or walking even to the kitchen - heart rate speeds!

If you are worried ask. Don’t keep them inside. Give them a call tomorrow x

I presume you are under maternal medicine for your Crohns? I have crohns also. The “indication” for a section with crohns is fistulating peri-anal disease.

I don’t technically meet the recommendations, but have chosen to have a section as I am really worried about the long term impact of a bad tear in terms of continence as I feel I just about cope when I’m in a flare with intact muscles.

The other reason for me, is I would prefer to have controlled surgery than a crash section, making it easier for the surgeon to deal with adhesions and reduce the risk of bowel injury. Of course, the caveat to this is I may be having major abdominal surgery unnecessarily and this lead to adhesions which could impact on future bowel surgery.

There isn’t an easy answer. I also have the “benefit/disadvantage” (depending on which way you look at it) of having been involved in a lot of obstetrics due to my job as an anaesthetist. My obstetrician has really left the decision to me as a result and I feel most comfortable with a section at 39 weeks. If baby decides to come earlier and I progress nicely, I may run with it.

@Ginfilledcats @BabyCJuly
I have a consultant appointment on Tuesday over the phone and have a feeling they may suggest one anyway but wanted to just get thoughts on this from other mums/ mums to be.

Thanks ladies x