When to request elective c section?

[Phoneshea]

Currently 18 weeks with 1st baby. I’ve decided I would like an elective c section for various reasons- I have researched both natural and c sections and know a c section would be best for me.

When should I ask for one? I’m next seeing midwife at 25 week appointment so shall I tell her then or phone her up before ?

I raised my desire for an ELCS with my midwife during routine appointments.

It was declined. It's not a choice that is offered.

Would recommend you get a better rationale than I did!

I would tell her before! I have the most severe fear of birth so always knew it would be a section all the way for me. I requested it from my 6 week appointment but it wasn’t til my 22 week appointment that I really got anywhere with it and was referred. Spoke to a consultant at 30 weeks who agreed it and booking my date in soon with him. The sooner you tell them the longer you’ll have to get to the front of the consultants queue. I had to wait about 7 weeks for a telephone appointment (mine wasn’t urgent anyway) but it’s probably easiest just to give them enough time to arrange it. You can check your hospital on birth rights maternal request c-section page and it will tell you how easily they grant them. You may also need to go armed with the NICE guidelines if they’re prone to being awkward about it x

@Chewbecca that's such a shame that you were fobbed off. In fact the NHS does have to offer this choice- see my screenshot.

@Phoneshea ask asap and be insistent that this is what you want.

Wow, that’s great! And great for the OP to have in hand.

Mine was a while ago, perhaps before this guidance was in place.