Telephone obstetrics appointment re C-section

[ttcat37]

Hi all. At my first midwife appointment I asked about elective c-sections as I think that a c-section could be a better choice for me. Midwife agreed that I have a good case and referred me for an obstetrics appointment.
I’ve got the letter through and I have an appointment when I’ll be 22 weeks. But it’s a telephone appointment. Is this usual? This is the appointment where I’ll presumably have to fight and argue my case if I do want a c-section. And where the doctor talks to me about risks etc. Is this not something that is usually done in person? The other issue is that all my midwife appointments are local to me and a different county to where I’ll be giving birth. They don’t use the same systems- all my midwife notes are on paper and the hospital won’t have access via their computer systems. So the doctor will have nothing in front of them about my pregnancy up until that point.

Hey OP,

I've just had my daughter and was under general obstetrics and also obstetric endocrinology because of a thyroid condition, the bulk of my appointments happened to be via telephone to be honest this was better as the in hospital ones were always running 1-2 hours behind.

Whilst I don't believe they encourage elective sections without that being the medical recommendation in my trust it's been very much the woman's choice. A friend of mine recently had her first baby via elective section, there were no physical reasons why nor any issues in pregnancy but my friend had lots of anxiety around giving birth vaginally. She told me that they explained the positives of a vaginal birth to her and went through the advantages and disadvantages of the options and ultimately she made the decision and a section was booked for 39 weeks.

Not exactly the same but due to my younger child being born via emergency section I was in for a planned C section if I didn't spontaneously labour, I didn't particularly want this and repeatedly pushed back hoping for a spontaneous VBAC but I was explicitly clear I wanted GA not a spinal for the op if I needed it, anaesthetists and doctors spoke to me at length about the differences and the decision but when I explained that I felt very informed but that was my decision it was accepted. Ironically after all the talk around GA/ Spinal I needed a cat 1 section which had to be done under GA anyway 🙃

Try not to panic, listen to what they're saying, raise your issues and concerns and ultimately remember this is your body.

I had the same, not much help though as ultimately I didn't go for the section. Consultant was very pro vaginal birth too but put my mind at ease with the concerns I had so I felt confident going for a vaginal birth.
I would assume it might just be an initial conversation and if you still want a section at the end of it you will see them in person later on?
Whatever your reasons for the section, stand firm and if this consultant doesn't say yes they have to refer you to someone else until someone agrees. Arm yourself with the NICE guidelines and your right to choose your birth.
And if it helps in hindsight I wish I'd had the section 🤣

I had the same app this morning and I wish it had been a phone app.

I had to take time off work, find child care for DS, drive 30 mins each way, struggle to get parking and then it was the world's shortest chat.

The consultant basically told me there's no point planning anything as my placenta is very low so we'll chat again after I have a scan at 32 weeks to see if my placenta has moved.

What a waste of time!

I understand why you might want face 2 face if you feel you'll have to talk in detail/ argue your point, but it shouldn't be an issue over the phone and at least you won't have to travel!

Thanks ladies for your responses. I really am interested in listening to what the doctor/ consultant says and their opinions on whether a c-section would be a good option for me. Initially my midwife was really off with me about wanting a c-section and said “you can’t just ask for a c-section and get one you know, you have to have a medical reason for it” and it took a while for her to soften and eventually agree that it would probably be the better option for me. I think I’m anticipating this sort of thing again but without the benefit of being there in person to explain properly.