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Original poster

Requesting a c-section

27 replies

Babydust13 · 19/01/2022 16:44

Hi all

I had a c-section with my son as he was breech, he is my first baby.

We plan to have one more baby in the near future is it ok to request a c-section once you have had one if there is no medical need?

I'm really worried I won't be able too and giving birth naturally petrifies me to the point I think I'd rather not have any more if a c-section isn't an option.

Thanks for your help

OP posts:
Ems2021 · 19/01/2022 16:50

Yes once you've had a c-section you will be asked if you want another one or try for a VBAC, they will give you the pros and cons of both but ultimately it's your decision. You should have consultant appointments to discuss

GinnyBee · 19/01/2022 16:59

You can request a c-section even if you haven't had one before and have no medical need! It's totally your choice. If you've had one before then the process of getting approved should be really easy too.

toddlerdanger · 19/01/2022 20:10

I had a c section completely out of my own choice for my last baby. Everyone can ask for one, for whatever reason they like.

I'm pregnant again and they've asked me what I want and I said c section again. They're more than happy to do this.

All female obstetricians I know ( and I know a few ) would always opt for a section. Lots of women do.

Elective sections are very safe.

YerDaSellsTheAvon · 19/01/2022 20:30

I had an elective section with my first (no medical need, purely maternal choice) and will be having another one in March. I didn't have to fight for either, it's completely your choice.

Totalwasteofpaper · 19/01/2022 20:36

They will offer you one as standard no drama or issue at all

Flowerbug1994 · 19/01/2022 20:37

@toddlerdanger hi can I ask if your know why any of the female obstetricians you know would rather a section ? Is there any particular reason
Thanks xx

PinkMoon22 · 19/01/2022 20:38

You'll be asked automatically.

You can ask for one without a medical need.

toddlerdanger · 19/01/2022 21:20

@Flowerbug1994 I think it's because the predictability factor of having an elective section, rather than a natural birth.

I also think they see the worst of birth injuries and general complications. So you have to consider that it affects their judgement too.

My consultant obstetrician told me that around 80 percent of female obstetricians opt for elective c sections.

JuneWind · 19/01/2022 21:33

I had an emergency c-section with DC1. Now pregnant with DC2 and at midwife booking she asked about birth preference. I said I wanted to go straight for elective c-section this time, she didn’t even bat an eye, ticked a box and referred me on to consultant.
Good luck!

Flowerbug1994 · 19/01/2022 21:37

@toddlerdanger thanks for the reply. Yes I suppose that makes sense doesn’t it if they’ve seen the worst there possibly is. I am so scared of giving birth but then so scared of c section recovery with the 6 weeks no driving I think would go mad being stuck in with no car for 6 weeks from June xx

Fleur405 · 19/01/2022 21:45

I mentioned to my consultant at my last appointment that I was feeling anxious about the birth (for reasons she is aware of) and was starting to think a section would be better - even though I have had a straightforward natural birth before and no medical reason why I can’t do so again. She simply said that if I want a section I can have one.

SephrinaX · 19/01/2022 21:51

If you had one the last time they won't even bat an eyelid if you say you want one again.

lee12345 · 19/01/2022 21:52

Yes you will be able to request an elective section.
I've just had my 2nd child by elective section.
1st was due to medical reasons, I had placenta previa. This time around no medical reason, but I knew from the start I would want another elective section.
So I just made my choice clear at the first appointment & in all my appointments I had support in this choice & no attempt to persuade me otherwise, they just had to give me the pros & cons of both.

ancientgran · 19/01/2022 21:55

[quote Flowerbug1994]@toddlerdanger thanks for the reply. Yes I suppose that makes sense doesn’t it if they’ve seen the worst there possibly is. I am so scared of giving birth but then so scared of c section recovery with the 6 weeks no driving I think would go mad being stuck in with no car for 6 weeks from June xx[/quote]
On the otherhand I have 4 and I've had 3 pregnant midwives, they all wanted to avoid a CS and sympathised with me that I'd had to have one.

The point is there is a right way, just the right for you way.

ancientgran · 19/01/2022 21:55

That should have been there isn't a right way, just a right for you way.

PissedOffNeighbour22 · 19/01/2022 21:57

I've just had my ELCS rejected. Didn't have a CS first time but there's a lot of people on here saying you just ask for one and get one. That's not been my experience at all.

I had an extremely traumatic first birth and have a high risk pregnancy again. I've been fobbed off throughout the pregnancy that I need to ask towards the end. Now I'm almost at the end and it's been rejected.

toddlerdanger · 19/01/2022 22:49

[quote Flowerbug1994]@toddlerdanger thanks for the reply. Yes I suppose that makes sense doesn’t it if they’ve seen the worst there possibly is. I am so scared of giving birth but then so scared of c section recovery with the 6 weeks no driving I think would go mad being stuck in with no car for 6 weeks from June xx[/quote]
I don't think you have to wait 6 weeks to drive at all!

I certainly didn't. I think I was driving again by week 2. I recovered very fast. I seem to remember the 6 week no driving thing is a bit of a myth. You can drive again as soon as you feel up to it and can do an emergency stop. For me it was super fast.

The most difficult part is the first couple of days of recovery. After that, it's fine and I didn't even need painkillers.

toddlerdanger · 19/01/2022 22:50

@PissedOffNeighbour22

I've just had my ELCS rejected. Didn't have a CS first time but there's a lot of people on here saying you just ask for one and get one. That's not been my experience at all.

I had an extremely traumatic first birth and have a high risk pregnancy again. I've been fobbed off throughout the pregnancy that I need to ask towards the end. Now I'm almost at the end and it's been rejected.

Well, that's been our experience. I think you should try to escalate. It does not seem fair that you can't get one and others can so easily.

It must depend on your hospital.

PissedOffNeighbour22 · 20/01/2022 03:10

@toddlerdanger My hospital have been shockingly bad.
I was assured after complaining about the service (haven't seen a midwife in months despite supposed to be seen every 2wks) that I would get an ELCS but it was immediately rejected by the consultant. Someone is going to speak to a different consultant for me to try to get me another appointment.

IloveGod2 · 20/01/2022 03:38

It's your choice, however it's advise especially if they are looking to induce you so it does rapture the previous c-sec scar. When they indue they can only offer a limited number of inserts due to the scar.

Vbree · 20/01/2022 03:50

Just wondering what happens if you go into labour before a scheduled c section? I had my son at 34 weeks by c section. Not pregnant now but if/when we have another I'd want another elective.

blyn72 · 20/01/2022 03:58

Presumably if you go to the hospital in the early stages of labour, you can have your elective C-section. After all, most emergency sections happen after a woman has been in labour for a while. If labour progresses very quickly and you are far on when you get to the hospital, it will be all over soon anyway.

Alfixn · 20/01/2022 03:58

@vbree usually they would still do a section for you, just on an "emergency" basis, albeit still usually very calm and controlled

Vbree · 20/01/2022 03:59

@blyn72

Presumably if you go to the hospital in the early stages of labour, you can have your elective C-section. After all, most emergency sections happen after a woman has been in labour for a while. If labour progresses very quickly and you are far on when you get to the hospital, it will be all over soon anyway.
Thanks! I'm really nervous about the prospect of going into labour one day for some reason so it's good to know.
Vbree · 20/01/2022 04:01

[quote Alfixn]@vbree usually they would still do a section for you, just on an "emergency" basis, albeit still usually very calm and controlled[/quote]
That's a relief! Not even pregnant but I always like to plan ahead Grin

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