Maternal request for C-section

[Amyyleanne46]

i am currently pregnant with baby number 3
i have had two uncomplicated vaginal births, first born 40+6 second born at 37+3 (baby number 3 is only 13 weeks old so Irish twins incoming!)

I am seriously considering putting in a maternal request for a c-section for this pregnancy, my reasons being my partner now has a new job where he works away and abroad for 6 week stretches at a time. The only family I have is my mum who is not physically able to mind my two children whilst I’m in labour and my partners family all live a three hour drive away with only one person that can drive so it would be a 5 hour train ride away so I would have no care for my children if I went into natural labour should it fall when my partner is away. I know I could opt for a home birth but the idea of not being in a hospital is an absolute no go for me!

im aware I could request an induction but for me the risk of a c-section are far more acceptable to me than the risk of induction and I already suffer terribly with GAD and panic disorder which is mainly under control and I don’t want the thought of failed inductions to trigger this when I’ve worked so hard to overcome it.

with a c-section myself and my partner would be able to schedule his annual leave and parental leave around a set date so we have care for our children and care for them afterwards, I have throughly read through the risk/my rights and I know the recovery can be horrific. From what I’ve read most request come from a mental health point of view rather than my reasons so would I be able to request one for these reasons? Anybody have any experience with this? X

I have no personal experience of this but absolutely you can request a c section for any reason. The NICE guidelines that are state that every woman has the right to request a c section and that you must be referred to a consultant who will do this (for example if you were referred to an obstetric consultant who was not willing to do it they are obliged to find you a consultant who will). In the unit I work in, we have women having maternal request c sections all the time and all our consultants are happy to do them as long as the women have made an informed choice.
I'm hoping the consultants that you encounter are the same and don't give you any resistance, they may push for you to reconsider given you have had 2 vaginal births however stand firm with what you want and quote the NICE guidelines.

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng192/chapter/Recommendations#planned-caesarean-birth Points 1.2.30 and 1.2.31

Also definitely tell your midwife at your next appointment so they can get the referral made to a consultant to be put on their radar.

Best wishes for the pregnancy and birth ❤️

I don’t think they can refuse a request for a c section but from what I know of sometimes you don’t find out until right near the time the date you will be booked in. I have seen some only finding out a week before so unless his work don’t mind last minute request it may not be straightforward. You would likely know that it will be around 39 weeks (instead of around 40 weeks) but you could still go into labour earlier and end up with an EMCS.

For what it’s worth I had an EMCS with my daughter and my recovery was great considering. No issues and healed really quickly. Planned are apparently even better. I’m having a planned section but my midwife says it could be right up until just before I have it before I’ll know the date. I’m seeing my consultant after 20 week scan so hoping she will tell me if it will be a bit sooner as my partner can’t get paternity leave (new job) so needs to be annual leave which will need to be booked so similar situation in that way as yourself.

I don't have any experience yet but my first was an EMCS and although the surgeon put in my notes a VBAC is fine, the midwife during labour sort of said 'do yourself a favour and just book a c section next time as your pelvis isn't the right shape for an easy natural birth'. Along with that, like yours- my husband works abroad for 6 weeks at a time, so I'm gearing myself up for explaining all the reasons a c-section would be better! I'm only 6-7 weeks though, so there's a while to go yet.

Yea you can ! And it’s great. They usually schedule for 39 weeks
for what it’s worth my experience was amazing and recovery fine. Would do it again without hesitation x