C-section agreed but nothing in writing and being questioned

[KinderWild]

Today I went in for a consultant appointment to get my c-section date. I requested a C-section at booking due to prev traumatic labour - baby getting stuck, instrumental birth, three episiotomies, trauma to babies head. My consultant had agreed to a c-section at 12 weeks. I had to have a head midwife appointment and get her to agree too, which she did. Today I go in to get my date and I am questioned on why I am having a c-section (I asked this consultant to review my notes as it was all there), after relinquishing when I got very upset the consultant agreed to book one.

The date I was offered was 40 weeks. I argued it round to 39+3. They don't do sections on Fridays or at the weekends.

My fear is that this is not the first time I have had to justify or explain that I am having a c-section. I have nothing in writing that says I am having one or that anyone has agreed it. My paper notes are just copies of scans. We have electronic notes but not a single note has been made In the system that I have access to, since my booking appointment. All that's there is a list of appointments.

I am now totally freaked out that I am going to either go into labour early and have to convince the midiwfe I have an agreed c-section with no evidence, or given they also don't confirm the c-section date in writing, something will go wrong and they won't have booked me in properly and I'll have to argue for it.

I cannot go through another vaginal birth. This baby is bigger than the last - 98th centile head. And the last got stuck.

My question is - do you have any written notes/ get a written confirmation of the c section? How can I go about getting some confirmation of the plan that I can see to reassure me? I asked the consultant for a letter but they refused.

Hmm all seems a bit strange my high risk doctor won’t let me go any further that 39weeks and 1 day my 39 falls on a Sunday so have to go in on Monday next time I’m in witch is 2 weeks from now I will sign paper work and the date will be on the paper work I will be 33 weeks pregnant at this point I’m not sure if any of this helps x

I’m not as far along but I have written notes in my pregnancy book from booking and 16 week appointment where it confirms an agreed c section and states date tbc via consultant.

I’m not sure if it’s different though as I’ve had 3 previous c sections so it’s quite likely they would have pushed me to have a section if it wasn’t what I already wanted.

I didn't have anything in writing for my ELCS. I'd ask your midwife to check your notes and make sure it's clear. She should be able to show you what's written.

I don't have anything in writing for mine either - 29 weeks and now worried!! Will be asking them to print out a confirmation, I think.

I have that I requested one in my booking appointment notes but that’s it, but I’m not very far along.

Could you try calling them and explaining your worries and also maybe raising a complaint?

So sorry you’re having to go through this! Xx

No experience myself but close friend with high risk pregnancy and who had emergency c section for first at 37w didnt get a date yet for this one despite everyone agreeing (well she has no choice) on elcs. She will get a date booked after 32w apparently, not before.

I got a letter confirming the date and an appointment for the Pre op appointment - but I was under consultant care for twins.

I wasn’t given anything to indicate I was having a c section other than given a pre op date and an op date.
I was pushing when I should have been at the pre op appointment. The midwives did ask me a number of times and DP to double check that I wanted to continue with labour and not be taken through to theatre for a CS. The senior midwife popped in as well but I was otherwise occupied.
There was no force to continue labour and they were keen to ensure I definitely wanted to continue labour.

I didn’t get handed paperwork, a letter was posted out to me. I went to 39 weeks (I think) but monitored heavily at the end as had braxton hicks.

I was told you aren’t guaranteed the slot if they get emergencies. On the day I went in they only picked me as I had a breech baby and everyone else had to wait.
How far along are you now?

I had agreed a c-section following a very similar first birth to you OP. However, at 37 weeks I still hadn't been given a date and they tried to pressure me into a vaginal birth. They denied they'd agreed to a c-section and said the consultant I'd seen wasnt authorised to allow me to make that choice. It later turned out he was the surgeon......
Be very firm - I literally stood in the hospital relaying the conversation back to my husband who gave me the strength to keep pushing for a date. I had it at 39 weeks in the end.

Some trusts don’t book it until 36 weeks. How many weeks are you now?

I had mine booked in from around 20 weeks and about a week after my appointment a letter came through confirming the date. I’m booked in for 39+1.

I completely understand why you are anxious and feel it a bit unreasonable if you are asking for a paper copy of your date that they aren’t prepared to give you anything.

Even if they don't give you any paperwork in time, YOU can write something out and stick it in the front of your notes, detailing your reasons and the plan and that you need a c section for mental health reasons. So at least if you turn up at maternity triage in early labour you can just lob your notes at them. Title it "Care Plan for Birth".

I had a traumatic first birth and had a (official) care plan for my second labour at the front of my notes and the midwives read it and did the stuff.

Thanks everyone, I am 37+4.