Elective c section

[RubyF30]

Is it possible to ask for an elective c section?

I am well aware of the risks, I have done my research.

But child birth terrifies me, I suffer with health anxiety and get weekly hypnotherapy for it.

I would rather have a section.

How easy is it to ask for this?

At my booking scan and 16week community midwife appointment I have asked about an elective section. I had a bit of a rubbish first birth and really don't want to experience that again. I was fobbed off both times and told I'll feel much better about myself if "I give birth properly this time"!

Hoping the next appointment that you discuss birth options, that the midwife is a bit more receptive!

It is easy enough to ask but you may need to stick to your guns and keep asking.

It may also be that you won't find MW/consultant will want to discuss that with you until relatively late on...

It should be straightforward, but be prepared to be assertive. I had an obstetrician be very dismissive and tell me early on in pregnancy that I should have a medical reason for a c section and to discuss it with someone at 30 weeks... Don't have any of that, speak to your midwife who will arrange for someone (a senior midwife, I think it was but they called her role something specific) to speak to you in detail about your fears and make sure you know the risks.

I ended up having an emergency c section anyway, but even then they offered to induce me and I had to say, "no thanks... I am booked for a c-section".

I hope that helps.

I thought I wanted an ELCS as I was petrified of childbirth, but I ended up opting against it after seeing what it consisted of, I changed 180! (Don't ever watch an in depth explanation if you want to go that way)
I'm glad I changed my mind (even though my recovery took ages!) but had I still wanted an ELCS, no midwife or HV would have stopped me.

You know which you would prefer, stick to it and you should get it. Don't be fobbed off - this is your choice!

Side note, epidurals are heaven! Maybe all of a minute of my childbirth was actually horrible physically.

Quote the NICE guidelines at them and mention tokiphobia again and again.

Maternal request for caesarean birth
1.2.25When a woman with no medical indication for a caesarean birth requests a caesarean birth, explore, discuss and record the specific reasons for the request. [2011, amended 2021]

1.2.26If a woman requests a caesarean birth, discuss the overall benefits and risks of caesarean birth compared with vaginal birth (see the section on planning mode of birth) and record that this discussion has taken place. [2011]

1.2.27If a woman requests a caesarean birth, offer discussions with the woman, a senior midwife and/or obstetrician and other members of the team if necessary, for example an anaesthetist, to explore the reasons for the request, and ensure the woman has accurate information. [2011, amended 2021]

1.2.28If a woman requests a caesarean birth because she has tokophobia or other severe anxiety about childbirth (for example, following abuse or a previous traumatic event), offer referral to a healthcare professional with expertise in providing perinatal mental health support to help with her anxiety. See the NICE guideline on antenatal and postnatal mental health for more detailed advice on providing mental health services for pregnant women. [2011, amended 2021]

1.2.29Ensure healthcare professionals providing perinatal mental health support to women requesting a caesarean birth have access to the planned place of birth during the antenatal period in order to provide care. [2011, amended 2021]

1.2.30If a vaginal birth is still not an acceptable option after discussion of the benefits and risks and offer of support (including perinatal mental health support if appropriate; see recommendation 1.2.28), offer a planned caesarean birth for women requesting a caesarean birth. [2011, amended 2021]

1.2.31If a woman requests a caesarean birth but her current healthcare team are unwilling to offer this, refer the woman to an obstetrician willing to perform a caesarean birth. [2011, amended 2021]

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng192/chapter/Recommendations#planned-caesarean-birth

This was me a couple of years back
I am petrified of hospitals and anything medical
had so many hypnotherapy sessions and accupuncture to help me during the pregnancy
every appointment I had I was so overwhelmed
the doctor told me he was booking me in for an induction with vaginal delivery
I felt like he took control of the situation but it was horrendous
I was in hospital for a week, several infections later and recovery was nearly a year after the trauma down below
i would 100% push for a c section if yiu want one
I wish I could have been stronger

Yes you can absolutely request an elective c section. In line with the NICE guidelines, if you’re in the UK the NHS states that if after hearing the risks and benefits you are sure you want a c section, you must be offered one: “If after discussing all the risks and hearing about all the support on offer you still feel that a vaginal birth is not an acceptable option, you should be offered a planned caesarean. If your doctor is unwilling to perform the operation, they should refer you to a doctor who will.” www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/

I had an elective c section in November (first baby) - like you I was sure this was what I wanted after doing my research, and I would 100% do it again. As others have said, you’ll need to stick to your guns and be assertive, but ultimately you’ll get a c section if this is what you want.

I have requested an elective C section, I told my midwife firstly who basically said it wasn’t anything to do with her and referred me to speak to an obstetrician. The doctor I spoke to was really nice and just asked my reasons why, personally I have always had bad anxiety and low mood and am very fearful of natural birth and the potential for things to go wrong and be out of my control and having an elective section is much more preferable to me. The obstetrician said he needed me to speak to a safe and active birth specialist midwife as well to discuss it, he booked that appointment for me, I spoke to her and had a similar conversation, I then have another appointment with the obstetrician at approx 34 weeks where I think I have to sign the consent form and get it booked in.

My midwife was quite dismissive but the doctor and specialist midwife were both very nice and helpful. They have to make you aware of the risks as it is major abdominal surgery and they did emphasise that typically they wouldn’t recommend a c section unless for a medical reason, but they also respect that it’s your choice.

I hope all goes well for you!

Hi - did you ask your midwife for this or did you have to go to your GP and ask. I am certain I want an ELCS but not actually sure who to ask…

You can definitely request it (and get it). I had mine 2020. Various midwives and GPs were mildly obstructive - saying "oh, you don't want that" or just simply staring at the wall until I finished speaking and then changing the subject. Anyway, in the end they referred me to an obs and gynae psychologist who agreed to endorse my request within 5 mins of the appointment starting, and the actual consultant just shrugged and said "your body, your choice" when I'd gone in all prepped for a debate 😂

Recovery was not a walk in the park but (will spare you the relevant medical details) I think I dodged a bullet. Would do the same again.