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

[Selmaandpatty]

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?

This is subjective. I know multiple people who have had both and say the section was easier. I have had 2 sections so can't compare but they were issue free. Two friends of mine had natural births around the same time and had on going issues for a long time due to tearing/stitches. Anecdotally the people who i know who had complications with their sections all had emergency ones and part of the issue was the exhaustion having been in extended labours first. Yes OP you can opt - how easy that will be might depend on your individual dr's. Some will push harder than others for you to try a natural. Personally I had a catheter in for the op until I could walk who xx was encouraged very quickly - same day with morning section and early next morning with my late afternoon/evening one. I didn't have any injections once out of hospital (was in for 4/5 days so maybe why, I don't actually remember being given any either though, just encouraged to walk lots) It does sound like the norm here though so probably something you'll have to do. I didn't wear any socks

I’m surprised some people didn’t need the injections as there were no risk factors I had and I was up and moving straight away. They weren’t great but it’s something to do in the morning to get over with.

It’s unfortunate that not everyone has a good experience of requesting an elective. I went into my first midwife appointment expecting to argue my case but there was no pushback at all. I now have a consultation booked to discuss it.

Of course you can. There’s literally pages and pages of women outlining their elective experience. My own elective CS will be booked in the next 2 weeks. No moaning or shouting down the hospital involved, or paying privately.

Everyone’s recovery is different whether it’s a c section or vaginal birth. I know people who thought their c sections were better and others who much preferred their vaginal births. It’s all down to what happens at each individuals birth and how they personally recovered

I had a very traumatic first birth ending in an emergency c section. I was very lucky with my recovery so this time I have chosen to have a planned c section (in 4 weeks time) hoping my recovery will be as good as or better than after my emergency c section. I chose this option ultimately because my birth will likely end up in an emergency c section anyway so I didn’t even need to think about it really but I think I would have chosen it anyway after my previous birth experience.

It is no one else’s business why you choose to birth whatever way you choose to and I hate the term “natural birth” for a vaginal birth. It always seems to make woman who have a c section (planned or emergency) sound less superior than women who have a vaginal birth. A lot of vaginal births still end up needing forceps or ventouse etc so still assisted deliveries. As long as a baby comes out safely what does it matter?

Yes