I want a C Section - will I be refused one?

[Moonshine160]

Currently pregnant with DC2 and had a hard time during the birth and recovery with DC1 (vaginal birth).

Firstly I got pre-eclampsia at 39 weeks and was so poorly I couldn’t pass any urine at all. I was induced the day I was diagnosed, luckily already 3cm dilated so my waters were broken. The pain started immediately and I wasn’t coping after 4 hours so was given an epidural but for some reason wasn’t checked to see how much further dilated I was. 45 mins after the epidural was administered the consultant burst into the room because baby’s heartbeat has started dropping. She checked me and his head was there waiting to come out, he was pushing his way out and was stuck. As I was at the peak of my epidural I couldn’t feel anything to push, I couldn’t do anything. I can only assume I was given the epidural way too late. I had an episiotomy which still didn’t help, so I had another one and they managed to suction him out. I was then rushed for blood transfusions from the amount of blood I’d lost during delivery and to be stitched. I felt completely petrified and out of control.
3 days after the birth my episiotomy wounds got infected behind the stitches, it was agony. The nurse had to remove the stitches and prescribe antibiotics. I then had two large holes either side of my vagina the size of 50p coins which took about 10 weeks to heal and I was so sore throughout that time.

I always thought I would try for another vaginal birth but now that I’m pregnant again I can’t bear the thought of it. It fills me with so much anxiety and dread, at the moment it’s all I seem to be thinking about and it’s brought all the feelings back of how scared I was. I know I would feel better if I had a planned C section in a controlled environment. I’m consultant led due to the pre-eclampsia last time and mentioned this to the consultant, and she just dismissed me saying there’s no medical reason for me to need a C section and it “isn’t an easy way out of being in labour”! I completely understand that a C section means a tough recovery and also has risks but it’s the anxiety of having to go through a similar labour again that I can’t deal with. If I insist I want a c section can she refuse?

I'm so sorry to hear of your tough first experience 💔
This is slightly different, but I have just been accepted for a c section in my current second pregnancy. My first pregnancy last year ended at 33 weeks when my son passed away. I had a 'normal' vaginal delivery with him after being induced and he came 4 days later. There was absolutely no issue with my vaginal birth, but as soon as I found out I was pregnant again I just knew I couldn't deliver this baby that way.

Like you I feel that there is an element of control with a planned c section. I took some time to think about my options, but I am now 24 week and had a meeting with my consultant at hospital on Tuesday and I just explained every single worry that is going through my mind about a vaginal delivery. She didn't even try to change my mind. She explained the risks of the section, but said ultimately mental health is just as important, and she actually requested a date then and there.

If this is what you definitely want then don't be afraid to fight your corner. You know yourself and your body better than anyone else! Good luck to you!

That sounds traumatising op. I am sure they wouldn’t refuse you. My friend had a traumatic vagina birth with her first with a fourth degree tear stitched up in theatre. She had Elcs for second

People have elective c sections with far less reason than that. Your experience was horrendous. I'm sure you'll be able to have a c sec this time.

You can request a c section without any medical need and if the consultant refuses, they must refer you to someone else who allows it. There was a brilliant post on here recently where women listed their amazing, calm c section birth stories - and the easy journey they had in requesting one. I will also be requesting a c section 😊

I have been approved with no medical indication at all with my first baby. It's completely your choice, you have the right to choose the birth you want. If the first consultant refuses, they are supposed to then refer you to one that will approve it. I had no trouble requesting an elective c-section at all, I barely even had a chance to explain why I wanted it before my consultant assured me she's perfectly happy to support whatever I want.

Just stay firm and don't give in to bullying to change your mind. As long as the risks have been explained to you and you understand them they are supposed to respect your wishes.

Just ask for the cs. It’s very unlikely you’ll have any issues getting one. If you do ask to be referred to someone else

You absolutely should be able to get a c section, and to me it sounds like there is a medical indication anyway - trauma from your previous vaginal birth. Medical indications don't have to be physical.

I had a vaginalbirth with my first baby boy who had passed away and was born sleeping 2 days after being induced. When I was lucky enough to be pregnant again I explained to the consultant that I was terrified of going through a vaginal birth due to flashbacks and a lack of control over it. He never questioned it and agreed to c section which helped my anxiety hugely.

Keep pushing for what you need

Just ask. I had a very traumatic first delivery, epidural didn’t work, baby distressed, over an hour of stitching after birth and in total 20 hour labour with over 10 medical staff in the room. My second baby was a perfect delivery, I went in at 1.30 and he was born 3.15 with just a midwife with me, no time for epidural, just gas and air, no stitches either.

Thanks everyone. I’ll put my big girl pants on at my appointment in a weeks time and say that I definitely want a c section. I did tell the consultant that the first time, well I asked if I could request one, and that’s when she dismissed me but it sounds like from what you’ve all said she can’t refuse altogether.

Also I’m so sorry to hear of some of your losses during birth. How truly awful 💔

Just keep on at them in a polite but firm way. I had a traumatic first birth with DD (although nothing compared to some on here ) and was just a boring, smiling broken record at every appointment until I got the referral. NICE guidelines state that maternal request is perfectly valid reasoning for a CS regardless of the background.

Birthrights are fantastic on this, here’s their fact page if you feel you need backup: www.birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/right-to-a-c-section/