Genuine general question - C Section.

[Annie1211]

Hey everyone,

This is just a genuine general question.

Can you request a c section?

My partner and I are ttc, I've always had issues with my tailbone due to an accident a couple of years ago, the thought of childbirth terrifies me as I'm scared I would cause more damage to it. I would ask for a section but was wondering if you can actually request one? Or if it's a big No.

Thank you xx

Yes, you can. I requested a c section with my first due to issues with my mental health surrounding childbirth. It was surprisingly easy. They tried to gently talk me out of it twice but I was firm in my decision and my baby was born at 39 weeks on the dot. The planned c section experience is calm and honestly quite lovely. Good luck x

I say it was surprisingly easy - but it varies by trust. Some are more resistant than others, but the NICE guidelines are in your favour, and if one consultant says no you can ask to see another.

My first baby was breech and the GP and midwives kept insisting she would turn and even if she didn't I should have a 'trial of labour'. By 37 weeks she hadn't turned and I was terrified of trying to birth my first baby feet first! I spoke to my GP who referred me to a consultant and he agreed to do an ELC. She was delivered at 39 weeks and the experience was amazing. Calm and just lovely. It's definitely worth asking.

Because I had GD I was able to discuss this with a consultant

My plan was to have an elective csection over an induction which I wanted to avoid, and also because I was terrified of child birth

The consultant surprisingly didn't try to sway my decision at all

I requested a c section due to treatment resistance thrush it was granted late on in my 36 week x

I had a csection and when I was deciding ( twins but was allowed to choose type of birth) one of my questions was could a vaginal birth damage my coccyx. (In my previous labour I fractured my coccyx). It was definitely a possibility and was taken into account in the decision.

You can request it. Likely they won't 'agree' until you're in your third trimester. Partly that's just process but partly by that point they will know whether there are any other reasons to do a c section.

They do have to have an appointment with you to talk through the risks. A c section is major surgery so they have to be sure that you know what you're consenting to.

I got a tailbone injury from my second birth. I've been lucky though and it is getting better

I requested one on various grounds and was approved for one but DD turned out breech so I would have been given one anyway

They won't discuss it with you though likely until around 36 weeks

I have to say though and word of warning - I regret having my c section. I subsequently lost both tubes to near fatal ruptured ectopic pregnancies caused by adhesions and scar tissue from the c section. I had to go through multiple rounds of IVF to get pregnant again. I know my story is very much worst case but I don't think the risks are very clearly explained when they put the paperwork infront of you to sign

Yes, I have RA in my hips and discussed it with my consultant each time. First time they said yes in theory but left the actual decision til later in pregnancy, however baby decided to come early... on the actual day I was supposed to decide if I was having a section. I ended up having an emergency section.
Second time round, consultant was actually happy I chose to have a section as she didn't want to push me but was worried about damage to my hips. Baby again turned up early so planned section was brought forward.
Both times my waters broke before my section, first one I also went into labour.