Section request after vaginal birth. Please help

[Bittersweet12]

Soooo sorry but this is a long🤣
I was just curious if anyone has had any experience in section requesting following vaginal birth?
I posted a while back but now I actually have my appointment for 30th April I’m worrying!

Bit of background..
with my first I had a terrible time!
It was at the peak of covid mind, but it really isn’t an excuse for how poorly things went and how fobbed off I was!
So one night with pain in my back at 37 weeks, I rang triage with concerns which they pretty much just pushed off, saying it was probably a water infection and to ring the GP for some antibiotics.
So the next morning I did and without even testing my wee or anything they prescribed me these antibiotics.

2 days after I was still in pain I was ringing triage every day sometimes even twice a day, for them to STILL not want to see me!

On the 3rd day I pretty much demanded they see me, and it’s lucky I did, because when I drove myself there 30 mins as well mind, I was 9cm!! My baby could of come on the bloody moterway!

Following this everything else was just so unprofessional, midwives bickering about what to do ect, doctors losing antistatic after my episiotomy which I’m still having problems going for a number 2 now after it without it causing me pain!! Also painful sex followed for a while really took a toll on me!

I wanted more children but the birth and how lucky I felt that we were both okay put me off of of even having anymore, so when I first found out I was pregnant again I panicked instantly, thought of having to do that again literally terrifies me!

By no means do I feel a section would be the ‘easy way’ out, but I think for my mental health, to be able to actually enjoy the pregnancy and birth and not feel a stressed wreck it would be the better option for me.

So I have my appointment to see the consultant on the 30th and I’m just all round dreading it! Does anyone have any advice tips ect on what I could do to prepare or what to say to help me back things up ect?

You really don't need to back it up.
If the consultant you see will not agree to a cesarean they have to refer you to one who will do it. Just explain about last time and be firm about your choice for cesarean.

I had elcs last time not by choice as had breech twins. It was much better than I was expecting tbh, recovery was no worse than my 3 vaginal births.

@Chelyanne

You really don't need to back it up. If the consultant you see will not agree to a cesarean they have to refer you to one who will do it. Just explain about last time and be firm about your choice for cesarean.

I had elcs last time not by choice as had breech twins. It was much better than I was expecting tbh, recovery was no worse than my 3 vaginal births.

So do they pretty much have to say yes anyway? Yeah recovery wise wasn't great after vaginal birth anyway, but I would be prepared to take a harder recovery and have my little boy here safe and sound! Xx

Not these days it's all very much "choice"
Good luck at your app

Look up the NICE guidelines and that them with you. The consultant will tell you the risks of a c section because they need you to know them so you can give your informed consent.

I had a terrible time with DS and when I fell pregnant with my youngest DD I first thing I did at my booking appointment was say I wanted an elective section. Best thing I ever did.

@KurtWilde

I had a terrible time with DS and when I fell pregnant with my youngest DD I first thing I did at my booking appointment was say I wanted an elective section. Best thing I ever did.

It's okay if you don't want to say! But was the request just down to a traumatic birth? How did you find they were with you at your request? Xx

Just keep reiterating that you have ongoing problems with your bowels since last time and you are not prepared to risk incontinence. As a pp said if one consultant says no you state you wish to see another. I had one tell me it was normal to struggle with bowel control after having children🙄🙈. Have been there - it’s so stressful as they make you wait till the final weeks just in case you change your mind. Keep strong, keep stating your case💐

As said above, c sections are major major surgery and with all surgery they need to make sure you're giving informed consent.

That will mean talking you through all the risks involved and the recovery time.

You can also complain to your hospital trust about your treatment and look at other care pathways including consultant led care. I've also found that second time round you are a bit more confident in trusting your gut. I know with one birth under my belt I felt more confident in listening to my body and knowing what was right for me.

My c section was after 2 rubbish vaginal births (episiotomy, forceps & tearing first time and 3rd degree tear the second). I would not have got pregnant with no 3 without the knowledge that I could insist on a section....you still worry till it’s booked in though!

@Twizbe

As said above, c sections are major major surgery and with all surgery they need to make sure you're giving informed consent.

That will mean talking you through all the risks involved and the recovery time.

You can also complain to your hospital trust about your treatment and look at other care pathways including consultant led care. I've also found that second time round you are a bit more confident in trusting your gut. I know with one birth under my belt I felt more confident in listening to my body and knowing what was right for me.

Yes we did put in a written complaint with what happened with my first, so I was thinking of taking that with me. I'm absolutely aware of the risks of a section and by no means think it's the easy option but I just feel after all this last time a section is what's right this time round for me xx

I requested one with my first and only child.
I just wanted one and they didn't even ask why.
Only people who asked were midwives and 'I want one' sufficed.
You do need two consultants to sign it off and an appointment with a councillor. And then it gets booked in.
Good luck!

Yes, very long drawn out traumatic birth for both me and DS. No way was I risking that again and there was no questioning from the midwife, didn't need counselling either as my first DD was c-section so I already knew was was involved.

Def take that complaint with you.

I'm sure you don't, the consultants just need to be able to tick the box that says they've explained these risks to you and you're still happy to go ahead.

It's the same with any surgery. I had a vein out of my leg a few years ago and the surgeon went into great detail about the risks first.

I think it's one of those emergency vs non emergency things. For emergency ones the risks of not doing it are way higher than the risks of doing it.

When there is no 'clinical' need as such the physical risks of doing it can be higher than not doing it so they just have to be sure you understand that.

FWIW all my friends who've requested a section for their seconds have had no issues with the consultants saying no. Risks were explained and that was it.

@Blimeyoreilly2020

My c section was after 2 rubbish vaginal births (episiotomy, forceps & tearing first time and 3rd degree tear the second). I would not have got pregnant with no 3 without the knowledge that I could insist on a section....you still worry till it’s booked in though!

If you don't mind me asking how did you find they was with you when you was requesting?! X

Nice guidelines have changed so any woman can have a c section if she wants.

I am and there’s no medical reason for it, I just want one. I asked at my booking appointment and they were fine with it 😊

Good luck! Xx

@Bittersweet12 The first consultant was thoroughly unhelpful (the one who said that bowel issues post kids was normal!), the second was delightful, she just said yes, no problem (with the usual risk explanation). I also told the second consultant what the first had said... she was the department director and apologised for her colleague...

I was able to get my elcs easily, I told the consultant that was what I wanted, she asked why, I said I found my last birth traumatic and she just agreed. I was very nervous and had prepared myself to have to fight for it so it was relief. But that may have been because I had already had a c section (my traumatic birth was a VBAC). Good luck!

OP, just as an FYI, something I wished I had known is that they’ll grant it, but won’t give a scheduled date before 39 weeks.

So even though my last came early and it’s highly unlikely I’ll make it to 38 weeks in this pregnancy, I will turn into an EMCS (ie) They won’t book me a date in advance but will prioritize me once I go into labour. It’s NICE and RCOG guidelines re babies outcomes, so unless placental failure or GD or other immediate concern, they approach it as “hoping” you’ll make it as far as possible.