Maternal request for C section

[OrganicAlchemy]

Hi all,

I am a first time mum and I wish to request a C section. I realise this is not a decision everyone agrees with and thats okay but I really feel that it the best decision for me - sorry if this post offends anyone

I am looking to compile a list of reasons or 'justifications' so that I am prepared to answer when the midwife/others ask me why, I am expecting push back to be honest. I would like to be able to eloquently list my reasons and perhaps include statistics that would help support my request.

I thought maybe someone has done the same and might be able to share what info they gave to their midwife or the sources they used?

My main reasons are general aversion to vaginal birth, it has always terrified me and almost 'repulses' me which is illogical I realise but it has troubled me from a young age. I also have had people around me with numerous issues with injuries sustained in birth that either causes lifelong issues or were disregarded for treatment as they are considered a 'normal' part of birth.

Many of these people had a planned section afterwards and highly recommend it to try and hopefully avoid the birth injuries (I realise this is not guaranteed and sections have their own risks)

Thank you for any contributions :D

It is your right to have a c section. You will get asked why you want one but it is your decision.

I don't think you need a list of reasons because it doesn't have to be the medically "right" decision, it's just your choice. Your reason that you have a fear/repulsion of vaginal birth is enough.

Depending on the midwife you might get a bit of push back and you'll need to speak to a consultant but as long as you're happy to back yourself and not be swayed then you'll be fine and they might not push back at all!

Worth researching thoroughly just for your own information

I would just be honest with them and state the reason why. It's your decision, other people's reasons aren't applicable to you. I think they usually want to make sure you understand the risks of c section so I would fully read up and understand them all. But at the end of the day, it's your body and your birth! That's reason enough

You really don’t need a list of reasons. Childbirth is not a hard and fast thing - there’s no single “gotcha” statistic that makes one option better. Honestly I think you’re better off just being absolutely firm and unwavering in saying you have done your research and made your decision. Statistics and reasons open you up to debate.

I had a 5 page document made up, can have a look and see if I still have it to send you, and it did make me feel better to know that I was ‘in control’ of that aspect of it and couldn’t be forced to agree with what they were saying as I had the notes infront of me.

Turned out I didn’t even need to turn the front page. She literally said ‘I’m not here to tell you you’re not allowed to have a csection, you can if that’s what you want’. If it’s a huge phobia you have or you want to avoid complications which may arise from a vaginal birth (blood loss, further surgery, incontinence issues, episiotomy, difficult recovery and issues for baby) then you just say why you want one and they should be happy to oblige after they’ve shared the risks with you. Look into the risks yourself beforehand though. In my experience there was no comparison made. Obviously the baby is in there so needs to come out somehow yet only the risks of a csection were mentioned, it was worded as if the alternative was just for baby to glide out pain-free. It’s either one or the other so surely had to be a comparison. The risks are also the risks of all csections, not just elective so many of them are relating to women who have been through days of hell trying to give birth vaginally. I looked into the likelihood of each risk myself so that I wasn’t intimidated when I was told them.

good luck, I’m sure there won’t be any issues 😊

My first was a c section due to breach. I had a choice with my second but after dithering for a while I went with c section. The midwives were fine, it was the consultant on the day that took a bit of persuasion as I went into labour before my scheduled date and they tried to ask me into VBAC.

I'm sure you're aware of this but c section recovery isn't easy. Unfortunately I jsbe been left with some adhesions after mine and a bladder injury for which I now need surgery to repair, so c sections can cause lasting injuries also.

'Because that's the choice I have made for my birth'. You don't need to compile a list, or give reasons, you just need to be clear and unmoving.

You don't need stats and a list of reasons. Don't make it a bigger deal than it needs to be.

We have choice over mode of delivery in the UK. We do loads of sections for mat req every week. It's not unusual.

I haven't verified this myself, but my consultant mentioned that most the statistics relating to miscarriages include both emergency and planned c-sections, which scew the statistics and make c-sections look less safe than vaginally birth, whereas a planned c-section is statistically safer than a vaginal birth.

I had an elective c section.
Wanting to avoid birth injuries is reason enough- they can't guarantee to keep you safe from them with a vaginal birth! They basically make you have the birth choices appointment to talk it through to make sure you are aware of the risks (basically a long time to recover from surgery and baby doesn't get exposed to the birth canal bacteria).

It all went well and I enjoyed seeing my baby arrive. I wish I'd known about how hard it is for a coupes weeks after- literally, anything involving a crunch with abs you can't do, even scooting yourself from one side of the bed to the other is almost impossible. Your partner or support circle need to be aware that you will need help with everything including lifting baby in and out of cot. I think if you can get extra help like parent or friend coming to stay as well as your partner ( if you have one).

Just be aware that they will try to talk you out of it. My baby was believed to have inherited a rare condition that would make birth much more difficult for both me and her, but they still tried to convince me to try vaginal first with the option to move more quickly to emcs if it wasn't working. My thought was why risk it so I pushed back. I did find it ridiculous that I had to try to "justify" my request despite it being a perfectly valid choice even without any medical reason though!

Also, unlike a lot of people, I only had real pain for a couple of days, then a week of niggles, and it was much less than the pain experienced by other mums I know who tore during birth!

I did get a secondary infection of the incision, but again not painful really. Just had to be careful about keeping it clean and dry.

I had a tough time with consultant (midwife was fab) who really pushed back. And then I went into labour before the scheduled date and the midwife on the labour ward was also really awful. Saying I’d be lucky if I got one as there were lots of emergencies that day. Eventually I got to see a dr who had clearly been advised by the midwife that I was in two minds about now having a vaginal birth and could wait!!

anyway, long story to say it might be worth being prepared for push back.

best thing I read was the NICE guidelines, because this is what the midwife and drs will be referring to. So you’ll already know what they’ll throw at you and can then feel able to respond. Even if it’s with: “thanks for the info but I know this is best for me and my baby.. end of!”

It's your right to have a C-section, you don't need to justify it with a list of reasons. They have do it or refer you to someone who will.

It's ur choice op.
I'm opting for a c section this time round. I'm currently pregnant with my 4th baby.

Congratulations by the way

I explained I had read up, knew the risks, and felt it was right for us. The consultant said ‘well, if you are aware, then you’ve made an informed choice’, and then we talked about practicalities.

If anyone makes any underhand comments when you’re in hospital, as others have said, take note of their name and make a complaint. They are professionals and should act as such.

I am in the exact same boat as OP and would love to see this sheet if you still have it and are happy to share :)

'Because that is the way that I would like to give birth please' should be enough of a reason but I understand what you are saying.

I went for an elective section with my second and saw different consultants throughout. Only one gave me any push back and presented me with a list of potential risks that come along with a c section. I said that's great, thank you but do you have a list of the potential risks of giving birth naturally.

I think the paragraph you have written on why you have made that decision is perfectly enough. It is your right to decide. Because it is your first they might push a bit more but you might be surprised with how supportive some medical professionals can be of your choice.

Good luck! X

@Soundbathfan im sure it’s on my laptop still, il check tomorrow 😊 I’m in this boat again now about to have my second but not half as worried this time as I know I have more of a ‘reason’ this time since I’ve already have one! The anxiety was the worst part last time

Do they let women just choose now then? A few years ago this wasn’t the case at all. A c-section costs the NHS 10x more than a vaginal delivery (obviously not if there are major complications but even then it’s significantly cheaper)
Not taking away that you would prefer a C-section and ideally every woman would get what they wanted but how is that possible with the current NHS model? Lots of women don’t like the thought of giving birth vaginally - I mean it doesn’t sound like a bag of laughs to start with. If the majority of women wanted an C-section because they didn’t like the thought of vaginal delivery it just wouldnt be in anyway realistically possible. Unfortunately so many women are put off with horrifying stories. The overwhelming amount of positive vaginal stories and accounts get lost. Vaginal delivery has been over medicalised / interfered with speaking historically mainly by male doctors and has fear has been passed down the generations. The chain / progressiveness of interventions just gets totally lost still in 2023

Elective c-sections don’t cost more. That’s only when they compare it to a completely straightforward spontaneous vaginal birth with no complications, which is actually not that common. If you take into account the actual reality that many women will end up having an emergency c-section, an instrumental birth, induction, other complications and interventions… then women choosing to have an elective does not actually cost the NHS anymore money.

I was terrified of a vaginal birth and anxious about the whole process in general. I told them the truth and that I was leaning towards c section for no other reason. I did go on to develop gestational diabetes that needed insulin and thus letting nature take its course was ruled out too.

Yes they do it's NICE guidelines to let mothers choose. Luckily not everyone wants to choose one, but elective probably cost less than emergency after a long labour. I also read that elective c sections cost less overall as there is so much treatment for birth injury and incontinence after vagina births

You don't need documents just say i would like a section please and repeat . It just need 2 consultants to sign it off

It’s not a guarantee that you’ll get push back like some here say. I went into my first booking appointment with all my reasons lined up expecting to justify it and she said it was fine to request it and didn’t really ask for reasons.