Birth Choices appointment - what happens in it?

[payaklw]

Hi everyone. I have requested a caesarean for the birth of my little one in 9 weeks time (I know not everyone will think this is the best idea but it is what I want), and have been referred to Birth Choices. I have an appointment with a (presumably) midwife on Thursday about this. I am wondering whether this will be a session where I have to beg and convince them to let me have a caesarean or if it is just an informed discussion on the risks. I have heard stories of women being refused c-sections even though they are entitled to request them. If anyone has any experience of this, or advice they could give, it would be gratefully received!

Ive had a C section with first as baby was breech, and a pelvic epidural with second. Second was a much better experience for both myself and baby.

I think it may vary by area but my area is very supportive of maternal choice. In your position I would read NICE guidelines and prepare to need to be assertive, but hopefully you won't need to, good luck!

Different scenario but mine was at 24w with a midwife who encouraged the idea of an ELCS.

I then had an appointment with a consultant who basically refused my request!

I was crying, it was awful. Tried to put me off until I was 36w to discuss again.

I got a second opinion and saw a different consultant and they approved it.

so really it just depends on who you see.

It depends on who you see and what your reasons are for wanting one. Don’t be afraid of being assertive if needs be as you may need to be.

It’s usually just to ensure you know all the options and risks so you can make an informed decision :)

Hospital policies are changing and becoming more mother centric.

Most likely this appointment will be going through the risks so you can give informed consent. It might also be when you get your date / an idea of when that will happen.

Before the appointment I'd have a think about what your ideal section looks like. You can request things in your birth plan, but this is the chance to ask what's possible. For example, do you want music playing? Do you want a female to catheterise you, do you want people by your head at that time? Do you mind chat in the room or want it quiet etc.

The positive birth book has some good information on the options and what you can do (in general) to personalise your section.

For mine then went through all the risks of ELCS vs VBAC and then asked what I wanted. It did make me feel sick though to talk about every single thing that could go wrong..

I'm sorry, but how does this in any way answer the OP's question?

Nobody asked

ELCS at maternal request are really common. It's nothing new, we do them all the time.
Don't be worried about it. It's just a discussion and it is what it says on the tin, to discuss your birth chooses to help you make an informed decision.

Choices! Not chooses

It will be to put you off as ELCS is three times as expensive as a natural birth.

I’ve not heard of a birth choices appointment but I’m currently 35 weeks and requested a C section.
I had a consultation about it at 33 weeks, first consultant was having none of it. He said I’d have to wait until 37 weeks for another appointment with a different consultant.
I ended up changing hospitals over it as I was so stressed about it. I had an appointment last week at the new hospital and she booked me in there and then. It was the complete polar opposite in terms of experience so I’d say it’s absolute pot luck based on my experience.

I’d just say make sure you sound like your making an informed decision and you’ve read the information. I also wish I’d be stronger/firmer with the 1st consultant, so don’t accept any push back, it’s your right to have the birth you want. They referred me to the document from the RCOG which I’d already read, but it is full of useful and accurate info so I’d recommend reading it if you haven’t already. I’ll put link below. Good luck

https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/11woxkxs/considering-a-caesarean-birth-patient-information-leaflet-large-print.pdf

It might depend which hospital. I had a birth choice appointment recently. We discussed the pros and cons of ECS/risks. I felt a bit pressured by the midwife for vaginal birth but at the end of the day its your choice. I met with a consultant separately and they advised to choose whatever you feel comfortable with

What happened? Was it to put you off an expensive birth?

Update - had my planned C-section and LO is now 7 weeks old! The Birth Choices appointment was not an attempt to convince me to have a natural birth, it was just a chance for the hospital to inform me of the risks (and benefits) of a section. The surgery itself was really smooth and a generally wonderful experience for me - I feel very lucky as it isn't for everyone , particularly if it's an unplanned section I imagine.