Elective C-section or VBAC (2nd baby)

[rosepetals2023]

Hi ladies,
Had an elective c-section for DS due to having pelvic adhesions from multiple surgeries on my ovaries and also as DS was measuring large as I had GD.
I moved back to the UK late in my pregnancy (delayed by Covid border restrictions) so only saw the midwife twice and it was the GD consultant who approved the elective c-section (my gynaecologist abroad had recommended c-section). I did have another consultant a few days before the planned c-section trying to push me for a natural birth instead but I stuck to the c-section.

I am only 7 weeks at the moment so yet to see the midwife but would much prefer an elective c-section so I can arrange childcare for DS in advance. I was under the impression that they recommended c section if you have had a previous section but have been reading some threads where they push you to have a VBAC.

Do you just tell the midwife your preferences for an elective section at your book-in appointment? Or do you need a consultant to approve it?

Thanks in advance 😊

I had a csection for anxiety reasons last time and felt like I didn’t properly take a breath through my whole pregnancy as I was so scared they were going to say no. They approved it easily in the end. This time I have felt so much better as I had an appointment at 12 weeks in which they asked for my thoughts, they gave me a leaflet with the pros/cons of both options (there only was one option in my mind) and said id decide at the consultant appointment at 34 weeks. The consultant just asked me how I wanted to deliver my baby and a date was booked there and then. There were no dramas in comparison to how much harder it felt to get to that point the last time! Not all trusts are the same but mine made it very easy for me

Great thanks @GHxx 😊Do you automatically get the consultant appointment at 34 weeks or only if you tell the midwife you want a c section? Sorry for the daft question it’s just I moved back to uk at 32 weeks so I’m pretty oblivious to the procedures here!

Really it just totally depends on your consultant. You tell your midwife at your booking appointment that you've had a prior section so would like another one this time and they will book you an appointment with a consultant at around 20 weeks.
My midwife said it's absolutely fine, you are allowed to request a CS just make sure you know your mind before going into the appointment.

@Hufflepods great thanks I’ll let her know ☺️

I had an EMCS in my previous birth and I just told my midwife at my booking in appointment that I wanted a c section this time after what happened before and she booked me a consultants appointment for just after my 20 weeks scan and then I got the date of my c section through in the post when I was 21 weeks. I’m now nearly 36 weeks. I didn’t have any push back at all from the midwife or consultant and couldn’t believe how early on I got my c section date. Not sure if that’s how my trust us though or because it was clear after what happened before there was no way I was going for a vbac

@allgoodthings84 thanks I will mention it to the midwife at book in 😊hopefully I get a nice consultant haha.