Is it strange to want an elective c section?

[CopperCloud]

Currently 24 weeks with my first baby.

The majority of people I know have had horrendous labours that went on for hours and resulted in an emergency c section. I feel I don't have it in me to go in expecting a normal labour and end up with a c section at the end anyway, so I'm unsure if it's worth talking to my midwife to see if I can have an elective? Of course I'm scared of the pain that I'd face during labour but at the minute I'm worrying more about what would feel like wasting time it that makes any sense at all?

I also have a high bmi so feel that a c section is more likely for me to have anyway?

@CopperCloud
I think it's naturally to be worried about labour. Have you signed up to NCT classes or hypnobirthing? - it makes a massive difference.
I had an emergency c-section and 4.5 months in and I'm still suffering from the scar/op. So although a c-section is better to avoid birth pain, it still comes with a lot of high risk. So it's worth weighing up both sides. X

I was also considering elcs for similar reasons so not strange at all!
Remember a LOT of people have straightforward birth but it's just not what you talk about so you mainly hear about the not so good ones.

I did an online hypnobirthing course and some antenatal stuff online and ended up having a nice VB!

I have always been petrified of giving birth naturally so I’ve requested a section. It’s each to their own and a personal choice. Have a look into the birth rights website and NICE guidelines if you do decide to request one though, in case they give you any hassle

Not at all! I’m having an elective c section. This is my first baby. Like you, the idea of a vaginal birth terrifies me much more than a c section, particularly a planned one. Xx

It's only strange to want an elective c section when you're not pregnant

Not strange at all! In fact it’s totally normal if you go private. I haven’t seen any stats on it but based on what I’ve seen and overheard in the waiting room I reckon more private births are ELCS than VB. Too posh to push I think the (stupid) saying is?! I also read somewhere ages ago that female OBs in the US are more likely to opt for a section than attempt to deliver vaginally when having their own babies. I’ve had 2 and they were lovely calm experiences and I know I made the right decision for me. Do your research and look up all the risks of both but if you do want an ELCS then ask for one.

It's normal to be anxious about labour however I was a massive supporter of elective c sections with no medical requirement....until I had one (breech baby and elected not try and turn her)....I subsequently lost both tubes to near fatal ruptured ectopics and left infertile at age 36 due to scar tissue/adhesions from my c section..... absolute worst case I know but risks which were barely covered on the disclaimer/information I was given about c sections - and everyone thinks it will never happen to them because the supposed risk is so small. But I'd say a good 50% or more of people I know who had c sections went on to experience secondary infertility and/or ectopics

If I could turn back the clock I would have fought harder for a vaginal birth no matter how anxious/afraid I was

I don’t think it’s strange at all, provided that you’re fully aware of the risks of a CS. There are risks with VBs too of course and I think it’s up to each individual woman to decide which set of risks she finds more acceptable - it annoys me that women aren’t provided with clear, unbiased information on the risks and benefits of VBs and CSs.

Just for example - I was very very close to having an elective caesarean (because I was afraid of a vaginal birth) with my first. I ended up having a vaginal birth though because I knew I wanted two children more than anything, and the risk I really couldn’t stomach was fertility problems relating to an elective procedure. Like @ivfgottwins I know people this has happened to. Vaginal births and emergency sections can cause fertility problems too but I felt I could live with that more easily than a procedure I’d chosen.

But if I’d only wanted one child then the risk to future fertility wouldn’t have even factored in my thinking. So I think it’s a very personal risk assessment.

But I don’t think it’s strange at all.

In some countries having a c-section is the 'norm'. Your birth, your choice!

I'm currently 30 weeks pregnant and after orginally starting out wanting an elective because I was petrified of a vaginal birth I think I've changed my mind after talking it through with various people.

What I came to realise is that as others have said there is a definite trade off and its important to know that its major abdominal surgery with potentially significant recovery. Also I dont think there are many other types of surgery where would you walk in and demand it was done a certain way - you would normally be guided by the surgeon or medical team as they are the experts.

I'm not ruling out an ELC but I definitely think thats currently plan B for me. Would definitely recommend that you keep talking to your midwife/birthing team so that whatever decision you make you've considered all options.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot and in some moments I do think why don’t more go for the c section. You don’t have an unspecified time of pain and struggle with an unknown outcome whereas a c section is booked in and seems so much more ordered and planned. Though like mentioned above there are downsides and risks. Though there are risks to both sides and I find it’s hard to make a choice for yourself. If you get a 4th degree tear with incontinence issues then I’m sure you’d wish you’d gone for a c section. Likewise if you got an infection or bad scar tissue with a c section then I’m sure you’d wish you’d tried vaginal.

The type of things that can lead to an emergency c section don't always involve being in labour for hours.
Talk your worries over with your midwife, but try to keep an open mind.

I was exactly the same. I spoke to a doctor at my hospital who told me that 45% of first time mums at the hospital require an instrumental delivery (forceps, ventouse or emergency c section). For me the odds were too high and I had a wonderful c section with my son. You are entitled to it so do ask!

Personally I would not have wanted to go with an elective c section just based on not wanting to have to deal with the recovery of a major abdominal surgery as well as looking after a newborn unless it was medically necessary.

I think one thing that helps is feeling very well supported by your care providers, whether that be your OB, midwife or whatever.

I’m in Australia so it might be a bit different where you are but I had a private midwife for both of my pregnancies. Had two very straightforward vaginal births with no instruments or stitches needed and my recovery was very easy from both of them.

I think a major part of why my births went well was the fact that I felt really supported and calm and I was also lucky that nothing went wrong.

Having said all that it’s definitely 100% your choice but I do think it’s good to ensure you are informed about all the risks and benefits of all options.

There is an interesting documentary out at the moment called Birthtime (it’s Australian) might be worth checking it out.

I felt exactly like you as well. Practically everyone I know (plus seemingly everyone on this site) had a horror labour ending in terrible injury or an emcs. I'm overweight and was a large and hard to deliver baby myself, so I just knew things wouldn't go well. My highest priority was to avoid an instrumental delivery, second was to avoid an emcs. So elcs made sense.

In the end my dc was breech so cs was recommended anyway. It went great and I'd highly recommend it.

I really didn't find an elcs (for breech baby) the easy option - I was surprised by how slow and painful recovery was and I reacted badly to the drugs so really unpleasant at the time. I had vaginal births before and after - neither were totally straightforward but both were very positive experiences.

It's not strange at all. I fully believe women should be able to make an informed choice on how they give birth and shouldn't have to jump through hoops to have a c-section. HCP's are very quick to point out all the risks of c-section and indeed often give out inaccurate information whilst minimising the risks of vaginal birth.

I can only give my experience but I've have two ELCS and had a great experience both times with minimal recoveries. Painful but not unmanageable at all and I felt in control at every step. No issues at all with healing of the scar. People talk about recovering from major abdominal surgery whilst looking after a newborn but it was honestly fine and I'd rather that than the recovery from a 4th degree tear. I had no secondary fertility issues and got pregnant with my second quicker than the first (1 cycle instead of two). I was mid 20s, no health conditions and a healthy BMI for context.

The problem with this type of thread though is you will read experiences like mine, contrasted by the opposite experience, and the same for vaginal birth. I think you need to research both, weigh up the risks and likelihood of various complications with both and then decide which risks are more acceptable to you. The risks of c-section were more acceptable for me. I'd have rather struggled with a painful recovery and not been able to much for a while, and possibly even secondary infertility, than have a 4th degree tear which would also be horribly painful and perhaps lead to lifelong continence issues, problems with sex life etc. That's me personally though.

Good luck with your decision!

Personally I had two vaginal births, which was my preference, but I don't think it's strange at all to want an ELCS. I know several people who chose to have them for similar reasons to you.

As a woman who has had an 2 c sections i do find your reasons strange tbh. You don't sound very well informed, as if a section is the easy way out and I find that a bit insulting. Arm yourself with the knowledge of pros and cons of both and best of luck with whatever you decide.

Many women have lovely experiences of vaginal delivery and of csections too. My csections were for medical reasons, complications with baby so without them my children wouldn't be here and I am greatful but they were no walk in the park. Yes no pain at the point of delivery but the epidural does wear off and the pain afterwards was unreal. My recovery wasn't great either time yet I was up and at'em because I had babies to look after, you force yourself to do what needs to be done. Lots of women have horrific labours too with a long road to recovery too so I am by no means minimising what they go through.

You could try hypnobirthing, do some research, understand the risks for both vaginally and cession deliveries not just for this delivery but for subsequent ones if you would like more children. Speak to your midwife and you will be referred to speak to a consultant if that is what you want.

As a woman who had 2 sections I don't find the OP's reasons strange at all.

I find women who judge other women on how they choose to give birth strange tbh. OP has written a very short paragraph- I'm pretty sure she doesn't think having a c-section is the easy way out. I find it a bit insulting when people say theirs were for medical reasons as if they're so much better than those who had them for elective reasons.

I didn't go into it in my post but I had mine for extreme tokophobia, consultant who saw me said I was the worst case of it he'd ever seen. Do mental health reasons count as medical? I suspect there are a lot of women who ask for c-sections who are the same as me and aren't actually aware of it being a thing.

@StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind 👏👏👏👏👏

Thanks for all the replies on this! Really good to be able to get my head around all different experiences!

Just note I don't think a c section is the easy way out at all, my sister for example was in hospital for a week recovering after an emergency section so I know it's not a walk in the park.

My main reasoning for considering it is pretty much the fear of the unknown, with an elective I feel like I'll be more in control or knowing when my baby is likely to be here instead of a potential 18 hour labour trying my hardest to get baby out to then have to go down the route of a c section anyway!

I see my midwife tomorrow so I'll have a chat with her but again really thankful for all the replies that are helping my weigh it up!

Just FYI my midwife was white against it but doctor agreed straight away it was the right thing.

@CopperCloud that’s totally my reasons too! Plus statistically a planned c section is actually safer.

Everyone I know who has had a c section has had a good experience and straightforward recovery, and I know it’s not like that for everyone but I’d rather take my chances with the c section than a vaginal.

This article is great for weighing up the pros and cons:

www.theguardian.com/politics/reality-check-with-polly-curtis/2011/nov/23/health