Can you request a c-section?

[georgie26493]

Just wondering what the process is for requesting a c-section on the NHS. I get the sense that it's something you can't ask for/they put you off, but it says you are able to request one on the NHS website.

I had a bit of a shocker with my first labour. Ended up haemorrhaging and losing a lot of blood and doing some temporary nerve damage. All in all it made recovery incredibly long and pretty hellish and I actually look back on those first two months as a pretty dark time (a lot of which was to do with the hormones too I'm sure!).

Having had some friends who had planned c-sections, they took their recovery seriously and were up and about so much quicker and had a much more positive experience. There's part of me that feels like requesting a c-section is 'cheating' if you don't need it for medical reasons, am I alone in this?

Would be really grateful to hear anyones experience of choosing to have a section and how they went about it. Thank you x

Yes I did, for my first baby so no bad story to go off, I just didn’t want to die or have some traumatic experience to prove that I should have got one in the first place so I asked for one and got it. They will try to put you off and you’ll eventually get to speak to a consultant who will (if they’re like mine) give you skewed risks of an emergency section (when that’s not what you’re having) and no risks of the alternative option
🙄 I researched all the risks of everything myself before speaking to them so they weren’t able to scare me with any of this. If you’re making an informed choice they should approve it fine. You just need to get the ball rolling with it. For me there was just no other option, it just was not happening any other way, I was beyond anxious about it and how long it all took to be decided. The section itself was amazing and so drama free! Good luck

Yes you can request one. I did for my second after an EMCS for my first. Not one person tried to discourage me which I was surprised at. I thought I might have to fight for it but it was all very easy.

I had a traumatic first birth, and went into the first consultant appointment with dc2 armed with facts and fully prepared to have a lengthy discussion. I hadn’t even sat down when she looked up from my notes and said that she recommended a c-section. So you may not have to argue the point!

Birthrights have a really helpful factsheet about this: www.birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/right-to-a-c-section

For what it's worth I had an ELCS with no medical reason (history of rape so felt I wouldn't cope with a vaginal delivery) and the consultant was v supportive, no questions asked. I asked about it at my first consultant appointment and they said they'd support whatever decision I made. I think the reaction you get is v consultant dependant because I've known others who've had to really stand their ground to get an ELCS - but I don't know anyone who has been refused.

Do your research like pp said so you understand the risks / benefits of both ELCS/vaginal delivery. Ultimately it's your body so you should be able to make an informed decision. Good luck xx

My first was an emergency c section and I requested elective section with second. Expected some resistance from obstetrics but had absolutely none. They were very supportive.

Yes I did. You can.

And I am not saying this to scare you - but for you to be informed.

It is a major surgery. There are problems sometimes just like in natural birth and the surgery itself may be painfree but the recovery is absolutely not.

I had a perfect c, recovery took 6 weeks, some temporary nerve damage for a month even though nothing went wrong with the epidural, felt quite blue for the first 2 weeks due to the trauma on my body and unable to lift my boy or sit up without help, or even laugh for a month, gave myself a hernia week 4 from a sneeze - did help that I chose to do this to myself rather than had it done to me IYSWIM. Overall still happy with my choice. I wanted to avoid the psychological trauma of an emergency c at all costs.

Haemorrages can still happen on the table. This is not a good situation and I was told if it happened and they couldn’t stop the bleeding extremely quickly then they are taking the uterus to save my life. I had to sign a waiver to that affect.

I would really discuss this with a consultant with regard your history and risk etc,

Goodluck. I know it’s a tough decision and the data is absolutely appalling as pp says (mixing emergency & planned C) 💕

After my first traumatic birth I booked in for a C-section for dc2 and it was a lovely walk in the park.

Of course it hurts after and your movement is restricted. The first couple of days are hardest so it’s good to have a supportive partner who will look after you, but as soon as you get on top of your pain meds it’s fine and I was pretty much back to normal after about 2-3 weeks….beats the months of mental anguish that resulted from my first birth experience!

Ive also found in a strange way that having a joyful second birth helped heal some of the mental scars from first time around

Ps just let your midwife know that’s what you want and she should refer you to a consultant to discuss.

I had a very traumatic first birth and so opted for an elective section for my second. Midwife and consultant agreed it was best for my MH. It was an easy process.

My first child was an emergency section after many hours in labour. With my second (I'm currently 32 weeks pregnant) I was asked if I wanted to try and deliver vaginally or have an elective C-section. I said 'C-section, please' and they organised it without any problems. I had to speak with a consultant on the phone so that they could walk me through the pros and cons of either option, but at no time did anyone try and sway my decision or make me feel like they were hesitant. I'm just waiting to find out the date now, can't wait!

Yes I did! Had my little boy last month. No medical reason other than anxiety surrounding birth. C section went great. Had some pain for the first 3 days and then abit of soreness for the next week or so. Was told not to drive for 6 weeks but was driving 10 days after ( naughty I know) The recovery has just been so easy. I understand it’s not the same for everyone though! I’m a single parent and so have been looking after my new born from day one by myself whilst recovering and have managed just fine. I had no problem getting them to agree to the section.

Wow thank you so much for all your responses. I love this forum! So helpful hearing all your experiences and advice. I'm only 12 weeks so going to sit on it for a bit and make a decision later on xx