Page 4 | Can I have an elective CS just because I want one?

Selmaandpatty · 2023-07-21T20:58:18+00:00

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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Totaly · 21/07/2023 22:57

I hate to break it to some of you but I didn't have to pay for my 3 elective sections on the NHS.

We know you didn’t pay for it, not the NHS did pay for it …. Glad you had a nice time.

3luckystars · 21/07/2023 22:58

Yes. If you pay to go privately to a gynaecologist. My sister did, it was £2000 a number of years ago.

Confusedotcomm · 21/07/2023 22:59

@Selmaandpatty
catheter goes in when he epidural does and comes out as soon as you’re able to walk again. I was on my feet in 6 hrs shuffling to the loo and stuff and I was home in 24 hrs and had a pub lunch to ‘meet the family’ with baby on day 4. I’m told this was a pretty lucky / easy ride though and I would not assume you’ll get the same. My surgeon did a splendid job and you could hardly see the scar a few weeks later. As for the anticoagulant injections… for me , they were the worst bit I got in a right flap! But actually you’ll have a fairly sizeable numb area just above the scar, mark it, then get your other half to do it? My catchphrase for the entire time he was on paternity was ‘I’ve just had major surgery’ 😂I got waited on, he did all the night feeds and cooked me lovely meals. So what I’m saying is even if you feel okay, dont be a hero! Gentle exercise and rest for your recovery, but don’t do more than you need to 😉

Hibiscrubbed · 21/07/2023 22:59

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 at all.

I had one and will be having a second simply because I wanted them. That’s it.

Bear in mind OP, there’s some posters on here with very pushy agendas about certain things, such as birth, pain relief, feeding, etc.

If you want it, you can have an elective.

Hibiscrubbed · 21/07/2023 23:00

And an elective Caesarian does not cost the NHS anymore than a typical birth.

Chocolatecoveredshitpig · 21/07/2023 23:01

@Offyoupoplove - thank you! I thought it was odd I'd never heard of them. I was definitely up and about once the anaesthetic wore off as you had to shuffle down the hall to get your food - no trolley delivery, so if you didn't make your way down there you didn't eat!

FrostBeDonePls · 21/07/2023 23:01

I think you ask for it and they should offer it to you if you want it according to current guidelines. It was different few years ago which might be what some posters were relating to.

Had two sections myself. Although i couldn't drive for 6 weeks, it wasn't so bad recovery wise. Science around section have progressed so far than what it was 10 years ago so the procedure will only be more advanced.

Request for it and I don't think they can say no.

Good luck. It wasn't that big deal for me but i am terrified of vaginal birth and all that possible tearing

madeinmanc · 21/07/2023 23:03

[Not a mother] You can bet your bottom dollar that if men gave birth all options would be open without question! 😒

monsteramunch · 21/07/2023 23:03

Totaly · 21/07/2023 22:57

I hate to break it to some of you but I didn't have to pay for my 3 elective sections on the NHS.

We know you didn’t pay for it, not the NHS did pay for it …. Glad you had a nice time.

Can I ask what makes you angry about other women having elective c sections if that is what they choose when it comes to their own birth?

Hibiscrubbed · 21/07/2023 23:03

Also, many posters on here talking about their ‘awful C-sections’, likely had emergency ones after hours of labour. An elective is a very different animal. I don’t know anyone who had an elective section who wasn’t up and at it as normal. I didn’t have any notable pain with mine, nor complications. I was driving in a fortnight, walking a decent amount and back to full exercise inside six weeks.

It’s your choice. But you won’t get much support here.

FrostBeDonePls · 21/07/2023 23:04

Confusedotcomm · 21/07/2023 22:59

@Selmaandpatty
catheter goes in when he epidural does and comes out as soon as you’re able to walk again. I was on my feet in 6 hrs shuffling to the loo and stuff and I was home in 24 hrs and had a pub lunch to ‘meet the family’ with baby on day 4. I’m told this was a pretty lucky / easy ride though and I would not assume you’ll get the same. My surgeon did a splendid job and you could hardly see the scar a few weeks later. As for the anticoagulant injections… for me , they were the worst bit I got in a right flap! But actually you’ll have a fairly sizeable numb area just above the scar, mark it, then get your other half to do it? My catchphrase for the entire time he was on paternity was ‘I’ve just had major surgery’ 😂I got waited on, he did all the night feeds and cooked me lovely meals. So what I’m saying is even if you feel okay, dont be a hero! Gentle exercise and rest for your recovery, but don’t do more than you need to 😉

This. Exactly same for me too regarding injections,catheter and recovery in general.

Hibiscrubbed · 21/07/2023 23:04

And the women I know who work in obs and gynae chose elective sections. So make of that what you will.

Inastatus · 21/07/2023 23:06

I asked for a csection when I was having DD, this was because of previous miscarriages and not being able to trust my body. My midwife talked me into trying a natural birth and it was the worst 4 days of my life being induced, and examined numerous times, 4 sleepless nights eventually ending in a csection. I recovered really quickly. I made sure I had DS via csection and again recovered within a couple of weeks. Whilst I was a bit disappointed to not have a natural birth experience I am grateful that I don’t have some of the vaginal/bladder issues that some of my friends who had natural births have experienced.

Hibiscrubbed · 21/07/2023 23:07

And I’d agree the ten days of jabs is the worst bit. And it’s not bad. Just get them done first thing in the morning and they’re out the way.

WoolyMammoth55 · 21/07/2023 23:07

Just a heads up for all the anti-CS weirdos bleating on about the cost to "our precious NHS" of ELCS...

My medic friend chose ELCS for her births and told me very clearly that one of the reasons that women are free to choose their delivery method under NICE guidelines is that actually, there is no cost difference to the NHS depending on birth types.

For every X number of home births, one woman will be bleeding or have retained placenta and need to be blue-lighted to hospital for surgery... For every X number of natural births in MW-led units, one woman will suffer a 4th degree tear and require immediate surgery, and potentially a lifetime of surgical interventions... For every X number of induced births on the labour ward, one baby will ingest meconium and spend 2 weeks in NICU...

Plus obviously the significant % of women who plan to deliver naturally and end up in an emergency CS.

When you take the average cost of all of these births, plus the costs of managing PF damage over subsequent decades, the cost of a calm, scheduled CS is no higher than the average.

The NHS is not being bankrupted by women choosing ELCS, and any ignorant troll snideily implying it is can do one.

TomatoSandwiches · 21/07/2023 23:09

Totaly · 21/07/2023 22:57

I hate to break it to some of you but I didn't have to pay for my 3 elective sections on the NHS.

We know you didn’t pay for it, not the NHS did pay for it …. Glad you had a nice time.

I really did, it was very nice to know my bodily autonomy was respected and that I got to welcome my babies into the world the way I preferred.
All three were very calm deliveries, not perfect but very much how I wanted, a very positive experience.

Thank you.

Justrolledmyeyesoutloud · 21/07/2023 23:09

I had a csection- best thing ever would 100% recommend it if you have the fear like l did

worldsworsthangover · 21/07/2023 23:09

I had one. Went into labour a week early, they did try and gently convince me to go for natural whilst I was 6-7cm but I said no, it's all been approved by the consultant so that's what I'll be doing please, within ten mins I was in theatre.

Recovery was fine, painful yes but no more painful than the vaginal birth I had, and my bladder didn't want to fall out this time either !
Did injections yes but I injected blood thinners throughout the pregnancy so they didn't bother me at that point. They really aren't too bad

Hillstreet · 21/07/2023 23:10

Yes, you can. If your consultant isn’t willing to sign off on it, they should refer you to another consultant: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/

Giving birth is deeply personal and the choice of how you give birth should be yours.

Caesarean section

Find out why caesarean sections are carried out, whether you can ask for one, what they involve, and what the risks are.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section/

GoogleMeNot · 21/07/2023 23:10

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 :)

I second this. Had a planned c section (private maternity) it was calm and I felt 100% in control. You're not very mobile the first two weeks but it's a quick recovery after.

DappledOliveGroves · 21/07/2023 23:11

I had an elective section and it was wonderful. No clinical reason other than my first vaginal birth was very long and fairly traumatic. No-one told me I couldn’t. My midwife was supportive, the consultant was absolutely fine and it was a fabulous experience. We had a playlist of lovely music we’d chosen, playing in theatre. The procedure was so straightforward. The recovery for me was FAR easier than my vaginal birth. Minimal pain. I did a 7 mile walk when DD2 was 9 days old. With DD1 I could barely walk for weeks from a second degree tear. All in all it was a far more positive experience than my first birth.

AngryBirdsNoMore · 21/07/2023 23:11

Bakedbeansandtoast · 21/07/2023 22:00

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

Anxiety about natural birth is a “proper reason”.

I had two elective c sections, OP. I had extreme anxiety about natural birth. Both were excellent experiences.

SquirrelySponges · 21/07/2023 23:12

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 had the injections for 6 weeks. I wasn't given any compression stocking though so didn't wear those. The catheter was inserted after the epidural whikst i was on the table so I didn't feel it or see it at all and the removal a couple of hours later was very quick and pain free

AngryBirdsNoMore · 21/07/2023 23:12

GoogleMeNot · 21/07/2023 23:10

I second this. Had a planned c section (private maternity) it was calm and I felt 100% in control. You're not very mobile the first two weeks but it's a quick recovery after.

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I third this.

Confusedotcomm · 21/07/2023 23:13

@Hibiscrubbed
yep! It’s well known that Drs and wives of doctors almost always book a section.
I had a very quick damage free vaginal delivery for my 1st ( she almost slid down my trouser leg as I walked into the hospital) , and I’ve also had a section for my late term , breech, fatty. Loved the section! Such a calm experience and the soreness of the scar afterwards was nothing compared to the afterpains and arse daggers following my apparently smooth vag birth.
also, can still trampoline and sneeze perfectly safely at 40 😂