Request a c section in Scotland

[Newmum1587]

Hi

I’m 36 and currently pregnant with my first baby and due in a few weeks, my midwife has not asked me about my birth plan yet but I have an appointment soon and wanted to ask if I can have a c section. My partner works away and feel this would be our best option to make sure he is home for the birth and also some of my friends who recently gave birth naturally at the same hospital had some bad experiences which had now gave me bad anxiety about the birth.
It took us a while to get pregnant and I have weighed up my options and feel this is definitely what I want and just wondered if anyone has requested this in Scotland and if they can refuse me.
TIA

I had a c section with my first baby. I just mentioned it quite early on in my pregnancy that I wanted one. My midwife then double checked with me at 25 weeks and then scheduled an appointment with a registrar at 34 weeks to sign consent forms.

I would contact your midwife tomorrow to explain you’d like a c section and ask her next steps.
I’m also in Scotland and it was all fairly straightforward. I have a medical condition which meant I was going to have a c section anyway but my friend opted for a c section. All that was discussed at her 34 week meeting is her reason for wanting it, was she certain, the section itself and then the recovery process. She said everyone was lovely and didn’t make her want to change her mind.

I have no advice OP but I’m following as I am also in Scotland and would like to request a c section for no medical reason.

I believe it is your right to request a c section, so long as you have considered the risks.

Good luck!

Hi

I asked today about c section did try to push me towards natural birth but explained my reasons and said I felt this was the best option for me. They gave me a leaflet to read over and said if I still feel same at next appointment they will schedule my c section then so all looking good!
wishing you luck too 🩷

Hi!

I am also having maternal request section in Scotland. I just told my midwife at one of my first appointments she has just been pretty casual about it since. We haven’t had the formal birth plan chat yet as I’m only 18 weeks but I will just remind her nearer the time. Better to do it fairly early as you need to speak to an obstetrician and an anaesthetist so you don’t want to be squeezing it in last min!

I work in a hospital and maternal request sections are increasingly popular and you shouldn’t be made to feel bad for asking for one. Hopefully your midwifes are as understanding as mine was and all the best when the time comes! Get your playlist ready but just be warned it might be a long day of waiting cos they often take you in first thing even if your section is later on the list. And you might be fasting for a long time 🤣

Great news @Newmum1587! I also had an appointment today with a consultant and although I’m only 12 weeks I asked her advice regarding requesting a maternal request section and asked where is best to look for research so that I’m making an informed decision. She provided me information and told me that the hospital carry out maternal request sections every day and that there would be no problem requesting one. I also spoke to a midwife today who said she had a maternal request section for her second born and would recommend it to anyone considering it.

I didn’t get the feeling that there will be much or any pushback at all which is great

That’s good news! Wish I had asked earlier as I’ve stressed for a while about this now lol! They did try to offer planned enduced birth as my partner works away but explained that I had other reasons and definitely wanted it and they were really good about it! Wishing you the best of luck with your pregnancy 💗

A big part of my planned section is to because I have huge anxiety around induction/emergency section. When I told my midwife she even agreed that she also would go straight to section rather than induction. Obvs everyone is so different and some people have a totally great induction experience but for me a section is definitely the right route! Before I spoke to my midwife I mentioned it to an anaesthetist who works in the maternity unit and she had electives with both of her babies so that also made me feel more confident about my choice!

Glad you seem to be having positive experiences around this, it’s fairly recent that it’s become more common so it’s nice to hear maternity services seem to be supportive. No shame in my c-section game 🤣

I have some anxiety after hearing some natural birth stories and anyone I’ve spoke to that has had a C-section said was best decision they made and had no issues so feel comfortable with my decision just glad I’ve spoke to them and set the ball rolling now!
glad to hear you have also had a positive experience and defo no shame in it even if my mum says I’m too posh to push 😂 xx