Has anyone had a recent consultant appointment to request a c-section? if so..

[Gieenorg]

Please can you let me know how it went?

I have got an appointment next Monday with a consultant to discuss my maternal request for a c-section, I have done an awful lot of research and it is something I have been considering for a long time, way before I even got pregnant! I am considering a c section based on weighing up the risks for both c-sec and natural birth and also due to suffering from terrible anxiety and preferring the scheduled approach where I have a better idea what to expect.

I am really nervous about the appointment, I am going through a patch of anxiety at the moment (predom health anxiety and not assoc with pregnancy) and even stepping foot in the hospital heightens it and I am worried that I won't be able to express myself well at all, without crying. I would be grateful if those of you have had recent appointments can tell me how it went, and whether the consultant was understanding / difficult - what kind of questions did they ask?

I guess any information of your experience would be really useful.

Thank you so much! :)

Hi OP, not sure if this is your first or second baby. I have recently had appointments with the consultant for a maternal request c-section first was via phone around 22 weeks and then in person at 36 weeks. This is my second baby and had an EMCS with first. I went in well informed and already had the answers to the few questions I was asked. Number of children I planned to have, contraception after birth etc. All went well and I wasn't met with any push back currently booked in for 9th March. I don't know your circumstances and whether I would have had a different experience if I hadn't already had a previous C-section.
Hope all goes well!

Thank you so much for your response @Newmumma516789 and congratulations on your pregnancy!

It is my first child so it is hard to know what to expect.

It is reassuring that you did not receive push back - I know legally we do have a choice and that does give me some confidence, but I don't have the confidence in myself to be able to express myself very well, I am going to try and go into it in my 'work mode' as I do a lot of interaction / discussion and I usually come across well but as soon as its personal, and health related I go to pieces! damn!

If you don't mind me asking, did you get any specific questions to show that you understand certain risks, or was it more the consultant going through these verbally? Was the appointment long?

I am currently writing lots of notes in my notebook so if I do struggle to verbalise it I have it all written down at least!

No specific questions about the operation or risks itself as they will go through that although this was done over the phone as part of my first appointment earlier on.
I would say just be prepared and make sure you understand the risks to future pregnancies and then if you can explain how you have considered these.
One thing is 3+ cesareans isn't recommended hence the number of children question, again not having the same operation close together min 18months is advised (mine is 4.5yrs apart).
If there is anything specific to your own personal pregnancy risk and then obviously highlight your concerns about your health anxiety and how the planned approach would benefit your mental health pre and post birth.

I would just add if this is your first to make sure you have plenty of support for the immediate few weeks afterwards. The recovery is hard as it is with all birth options but cesareans add different things to consider, you will need to personally inject clexane post birth. Standing up/sitting down will be painful and you will have reduced mobility in terms of walking for the first week at least. So don't be afraid to ask for help 😊

I hope your appointment goes well and they are understanding.