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Original poster

Can I have an elective CS just because I want one?

155 replies

Selmaandpatty · 21/07/2023 21:58

Sorry if this sounds very naive, don't have any children yet and don't know of many women who've had a CS.
I have been doing a lot of reading but the answers seem to vary. I personally would like to have a CS rather than a natural birth, I know the recovery will be harder, but the thought of being in labour for 36 hours and the pain terrifies me.
However I'm not sure if they would do it without a valid reason? Or do they?

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Original poster
Selmaandpatty · 21/07/2023 21:59

Obviously it might not be 36 hours! But it's the unpredictability which scares me, it could go absolutely any way.

OP posts:
Bakedbeansandtoast · 21/07/2023 22:00

No, you would need a proper reason to have one or else you can pay for one privately.

Pkhsvd · 21/07/2023 22:02

You can ask for one, I’ve heard it can be a bit of a fight.
I understand your fears but I don’t think a c section is necessarily the answer to fears about unpredictability and pain. A c section can be unpredictable and have complications; the pain afterwards is also significant.

Rainbowx90 · 21/07/2023 22:03

I promise you, having a csection is 1000x worse than a natural birth, even with the pain of labour.
I had my first child 9 years ago via csection, even now I still have issues with it that require going to the GP and I have had to go to A&E countless times because of it. It really isn't an easy way out.
You have to think about things like not being able to drive for 6 weeks (if you do) when I had mine I had staples to close it, the pain of them being pulled out was horrific. The infections, the need to have to ask everyone to do everything for you because you can barely move.
Of course this is my experience, it may well be different for you.
I had my 2nd via vaginal birth and I was up and about half an hour later going to the loo. No pain, no infections afterwards. As soon as baby is here you'll forget all about the labour pain.

Original poster
Selmaandpatty · 21/07/2023 22:04

Thanks for your answers. I suppose it's so different in every case, so much unpredictability.

OP posts:
Rainbowx90 · 21/07/2023 22:04

Also I may add that a 36 hour labour is very rare and there are many types of pain relief you can have whilst in labour

elenacampana · 21/07/2023 22:05

I had a c-section (emergency) and the pain afterwards was excruciating. I can’t speak for vaginal birth, but I know how bad I felt after the section. It’s huge surgery and then there is the baby to look after too.

Offyoupoplove · 21/07/2023 22:05

Ultimately they will give you one but you might have to go to multiple appointments to explain yourself and will be treated if you persist as someone with a mental health issue/anxiety around birth. They may require you to try counselling.

I was allowed one the second time quite easily, due to a very medically bad birth first time around.

Personally I think fear of birth is a perfectly reasonable and rational response! But there you go.

CuriousLadyBird · 21/07/2023 22:06

I don't know if I agree with PP .. I've had two seconds both elective and with my second my waters broke and I had contractions for a few hours and I'd 100% choose a c section a million times over than having to feel contractions again. I have quite a high pain threshold too and I just couldn't cope.

Everyone's different though.

I believe you can ask for one just because but it is a bit of a fight.

Babybabybabyy · 21/07/2023 22:08

I had one for that reason. It was put down as anxiety as it was keeping me up at night worrying about them saying no. I just physically could not have coped if they’d told me I couldn’t have one. Have a look on birth rights at maternal request csection and find your hospital. They should allow you to have the birth you want

mynameiscalypso · 21/07/2023 22:08

Yes, you can. You have the right under the NICE guidelines. You might have to speak to a consultant but you don't need a medical reason. My ELCS was a walk in the park. I couldn't imagine giving birth any other way.

Babyboomtastic · 21/07/2023 22:09

Yes you can, though you'll have to stand your ground and fight for it.

My sections were a wonderful and pain free way to meet my babies, and the recovery for me was so much easier than expected. It was a very positive experience both times.

Honestly, some women are back to normal within a few days (I was one of those) for most women it takes a few weeks, and for an unlucky few it takes months. I'm very glad that I got lucky, and sissy that I didn't have to endure labour.

My recoveries were far quicker than most friends I know who had vaginal births.

UncleRadley · 21/07/2023 22:09

I found it very easy to get an elective section for my second but is suspect a lot of the reason was down to having such a horrible time with my first. I don't know if they'll push back more with a first labour. Also seems to be very different in different trusts.

TheBeesKnee · 21/07/2023 22:09

Yes, but expect a fight and raise it ASAP and stand your ground.

I wanted a CS but was persuaded to be induced instead. I was in labour for 2 days and ended up with an emergency section anyway. It was horrible because I was exhausted, it was impossible to sleep on the induction ward. I would have felt much better if it was a planned CS and I'd had some sleep before!

This was 3 months ago, they use dissolvable stitches these days, not staples.

Accept all the drugs they offer you for pain afterwards: I also had oramorph on day 2 or 3, I can't remember now.

Nothingbuttheglory · 21/07/2023 22:10

Some utter bollocks being talked on this thread.

You should be able to have a section if you want one. You may encounter some obstructive attitudes/be required to meet with psychologist/ have statistics explained to you. However, NICE guidelines state that you should be offered one if you want one.

Recovery from vaginal delivery is not always easier, and vaginal delivery can result in worse complications than c section.

Beaucherche · 21/07/2023 22:10

Bakedbeansandtoast · 21/07/2023 22:00

No, you would need a proper reason to have one or else you can pay for one privately.

Not true. You are allowed one if you want one.

9 weeks post c section here and its been fine. Just paracetemol and ibuprofen for first few days. Definitely wasn't excruciating!!

jessjess2809 · 21/07/2023 22:12

Some of these comments are bizarre, OP you absolutely CAN ask for an elective C-section without a medical reason. It's within NICE guidelines that if you want an elective then you're entitled to ask for one and if your obstetrician refuses they have to pass you on to someone else instead. I had an elective section for fear of the unknown, there was absolutely a chance I could have had a smooth labour with no complications and a speedy recovery but it could also have gone the other way and that personally wasn't a risk I was willing to take; particularly with staff shortages and maternity units being in the state they are.

My personal preference was to have a planned birth (as planned as birth can ever be!), knowing there would be a fully resourced team and if for whatever reason that couldn't happen, my baby and I wouldn't be at risk, we'd be moved to another day. I loved my planned section, it was a lovely calm environment, everyone was super relaxed and I managed to breastfeed my baby with no issues and have immediate skin to skin after birth so ignore anyone who tells you it's going to be a nightmare! My son's birth was a wonderful experience and I would repeat if I were to have another baby :)

CarolynKnappShappy · 21/07/2023 22:12

Yes you can. I know loads of people that have

  1. could not cope with the idea of the pain in labour - that was ok
  2. one friend had been sexually assaulted and couldn’t cope with the idea of labour and hands down there - c section granted
  3. a doctor who knew all the stats and wanted a c section - given
  4. one whose baby first baby had nearly died during vaginal delivery - given etc

so yes.

labour can be worse than c section - one woman in my nct group had a prolapse after and literally 16 years of operations and problems with sex etc - I haven’t

Besthaveanamechange · 21/07/2023 22:15

I had an elective because of a previous TMFR at 23 weeks, plus DF had just died and I was beyond distressed. Just couldn’t cope with giving birth again. Actually wish I’d been better supported to have a vaginal birth bcs the recovery was awful and my stomach muscles never have recovered.

Original poster
Selmaandpatty · 21/07/2023 22:19

Thanks a lot.
Does everybody have to have the regular warfarin injections for several days/weeks after? Wear compression stockings? Use a catheter?

OP posts:
pambeeslyhalpert2 · 21/07/2023 22:20

Bakedbeansandtoast · 21/07/2023 22:00

No, you would need a proper reason to have one or else you can pay for one privately.

Untrue. You can have one just because you want one

pambeeslyhalpert2 · 21/07/2023 22:22

Selmaandpatty · 21/07/2023 22:19

Thanks a lot.
Does everybody have to have the regular warfarin injections for several days/weeks after? Wear compression stockings? Use a catheter?

Everyone I knew had to, the injections aren't too bad the thought is worse than the actual injection tho. I wore Compression stockings for 2 weeks but I was quite immobile. I had an emg with my first but I'll be having an elective with my second

Isthisreallyok · 21/07/2023 22:22

Yes you absolutely can have one just because you want one. I had one with my second as I’d had an emergency c section first time round after a 36 hour labour and thought I’d just go straight for the c section this time! Recovery was very smooth, unlike the first time…I’m glad I went for that option.

CuriousLadyBird · 21/07/2023 22:22

Selmaandpatty · 21/07/2023 22:19

Thanks a lot.
Does everybody have to have the regular warfarin injections for several days/weeks after? Wear compression stockings? Use a catheter?

I think everyone needs the injections but it depends on certain factors for how long. Mine was a week, 10 days I think. You need to have a catheter in but it's really not a big deal.

I'd do some more research op just to see what you'd feel more comfortable with and then bring it up with your midwife.

I had 2 elective c sections and I couldn't imagine giving birth any other way. I had an easier ride than my friends who had a vaginal birth but as you know everyone's different and sometimes it's hard to predict the outcomes and which one would be best.

Bakedbeansandtoast · 21/07/2023 22:22

I stand corrected. Sorry!