Elective C Section doubts

[Nov2023]

Hi all. I had chosen to request a c section for the birth of my first child. I investigated the odds of an intervention free vaginal birth and they aren't great. I am also concerned about staff shortages in my trust and being induced and waiting for days on a bed. It is getting close to my section date and I am really second guessing myself. The consultant didn't recommend a section, likely because I didn't give him a choice! He didn't try to discourage me either but he was clear that it was my choice. I thought a baby measuring big, a medical issue with me and a few other factors made it the obvious choice but he seemed to think it wasn't my only option. Has anybody changed their mind on an ELCS and had a successful, non-dramatic vaginal birth? I would ideally like to have another baby soon after the first and am nervous that a section will hinder this.

I had a c section with my first, not my choice and although it was fine I'd much rather try again (currently pregnant) naturally.

When you say odds with a vaginal birth without intervention, does a c section count as intervening? If so, I'd be looking at odds without the c section being the end result since you're effectively choosing that yourself. All the statistics I've seen that have been provided to me have shown a vaginal birth is safer for the baby and the mother.

How soon would you want to try for a second? They used to recommend a 12 month break before trying again to let your scar heal. I've been told this time round if I end up having to have another section that if we went on to have a third baby then a third section would be strongly recommended. On that basis only I'm hoping to go naturally and to keep that door open.

Thanks for this. Ideally I could see us trying for another after 9 months. I can't explain it with statistics or. medical advice but my gut feeling is telling me an attempt at a vaginally birth will end in an emergency section but it could be based on total nerves. But I would also hate to actively make a choice which leads to complications like a rupture with future babies. Wouldn't we all love to see the future!

I have had two vaginal births. With DD2, she was measuring big and I was getting really anxious about that. She was born at 8lb 2oz and actually smaller than DD1. Both births were intervention free and I had very minimal tearing. I’m pregnant with DC3 now and will be planning a vaginal birth again as long as everything is ok.

However, your reasoning for wanting an ELCS is valid and it’s your choice. Do what you feel is right and safe for you and your baby.

I planned on having a natural birth but due to complications I ended up having to have a emergency c section, it was great I healed really fast, I had a special wound vacuum seal thing on it for 5 days, no infections and was up and about after 4 days ( I had no choice I had to attend my mums funeral so pushed myself ). If you do have a C Section take strong meds after push yourself to walk and shower as soon as you can and you will be great I have had no issues. Everyone's body/labour/recovery is different and even natural births have complications and tears etc after. With a C section you enjoy the birth of your child without the agonising pain but it is a very surreal experience. I only have 1 child and not planning on having another due to personal reasons but if I did I would have another section.

Hi OP. By having a section for your first birth, you significantly increase the odds of having another section for your second. Given that you plan to have children 18 months apart, I definitely would not start with a section if it wasn't absolutely clinically indicated (and it sounds like yours isn't.)

What makes you so sure that you couldn't have a normal physiological vaginal delivery?

If you don’t want induced can’t you make a birth plan which says no induction and if you go over due date by X days then you have the section? I wish I’d done that and did think about it for my second.

Risks to you are much higher with a c section than a vaginal birth, so it's not a surprise that your consultant didn't suggest it. Measuring big isn't a reason to induce or have a c section according to NICE guidelines. As you want more children I would try a vaginal birth, and as a PP has had, if you are dead set against induction (I've had one, it was fine) have the c section at that point

I was like you. Booked in for ELCS but had doubts a week before mainly because growth scans had shown she was big but then a last minute one showed she was normal. Also partner was putting pressure on me for a ‘natural’ birth. So I delayed the section moving it back initially 4 days when I was 40+5 but then on the day they ran out of time and I ended up being sent home. Went back again 40+10, which eventually went ahead.

I had no signs of Labour at all and they found she was really wedged in my pelvis and struggled to get her out so no idea when/if she would have come by herself.

I was adamant j didn’t want an induction and I was also clear I wouldn’t consent to forceps so tbh a section was best option for me. I wish I’d just gone ahead with the first date!