Asking for an elective C section on second baby

[MissDolly95]

With my first daughter I was induced 9 days before her due date and her delivery ended up in forceps and a episiotomy.

I was induced due to my history, stillbirth with twins at 24 weeks and then I had 4 early miscarriages within 13 months before falling pregnant with my daughter. In my daughters pregnancy I also had group b strep

I'm now 27 weeks pregnant with my second daughter and I've been refused induction (under new hospital as we've moved from Liverpool to wales) my consultant told me they don't induce unless medically urgent which is fine, I understand. I've explained my anxiety given my history and anxiety softly surrounds around having group b strep (I won't know if I have it again till 36 weeks when they do a swab) and not getting to hospital in time if waters break (not getting the antibiotics for the group b strep) but they've said regardless they'll treat me as if I have it and give me the antibiotics anyway.

Since this, I've been thinking of asking for an elective C-section. But can that be refused also? I truly understand medical reasons and grounds ect. But I feel like my choices aren't my own. How did everyone else opt for an elective c section?

I think as c-sections are expensive they will push for only doing one if necessary at the time of labour.

However I did manage to arrange one on the basis of labour history. I was very insistent on seeing the relevant consultant who could sign it off when I went to hospital for a scan. I had previously been speaking to my midwife for several appointments about the possibility of doing this so she was on side. I had an appointment with him, he had my notes from my previous labour so we could have a proper debate about risk. He was happy to sign it off as the chances of it ending up as an emergency c-section again were high.

They may be willing to book you in if you can agree a date technically past your due date too.

Sorry I know this isn't a good answer to your question but basically you have to get all the medical staff on your side and see the right people who can agree this for you. You have to be consistent about it until you get a date agreed.

Of course you can request a c section - you will probably get push back but stay strong and they will have to consider your wishes.

ultimately it’s your body your choice and it’s about time women had more say in decisions regarding childbirth - we shouldn’t just be expected to give in to previous traumas because of expense or process.

Ok. So if you request a section you need to show your workings, so to speak.

think it through, do your research. If you can explain why a section is better for you, and that you’ve thought through all the risks and benefits to both VB and ELCS, and have decided that ELCS on balance is your choice, they are more likely to listen and take things on board than if you just demand.

you can include MH. My first nearly died two weeks before her due date with no one even noticing, she just went into distress. I was terrified of that happening again, so I didn’t want to wait for labour. I’d also only got to 1cm so was effectively labouring for the first time so again the prospect of a long labour added to the worry.

you don’t need to decide until 36 weeks ish either so take your time, and remember you can change your mind.

So sorry for your losses, OP

I have just agreed to an elective c section.

I had a spontaneous vaginal delivery with DD1 but i had undiagnosed group B strep and she went on to develop sepsis, so i was also due to have antibiotics in this pregnancy. I also had a bit of pelvic floor damage (which has been getting better with physio but pregnancy has made it worse again).

I had a birth options appointment with a consultant midwife around 28w. She was really balanced and talked through all the risks and benefits of vaginal vs c section. She said she would call me at 36w for a decision.

As it turns out, baby is breech at 36w so after discussing pros and cons of ECV, she was very happy to just agree to C Section. There was basically no push back at all. I think as pp have said, they just wanted to understand that i had properly considered all the risks (including recovery with a toddler etc).

Remember, if a consultant doesn't want to sign it off, they are supposed to refer you to another consultant who will. So you can always ask to speak to someone else.

Because of easter, my section date is actually really late (first baby came at 38w and section is booked for 39+5) so im a bit nervous about recognising early labour signs to get to the hospital before labour progresses too far, but I'm just trying to stay calm about that and trust in the plan!

I’m in wales and elected for c section for my second following an emcs with my first and there was no issue

Can I ask what hospital you're with?x

Yes i opted for an elective c section with my 2nd, not on medical grounds. (No c-section previously). They provided advice (mainly the risks of it) and i attended a birthing options clinic but ultimately it was my decision. I had the planned c-section which was the right decision for me. It is your choice, but be prepared to be pushed back against if you want to opt for it! Weigh up decisions which is right for you x

I'd be shocked if its not agreed given your history.
I'm so sorry for your losses. My little boy was stillborn and we had multiple miscarriages so went through a lot of testing and I've been told by my consultant in a future pregnancy there will be plenty of support and an elective section is likely something I will ask for. A friend of mine who's little boy was stillborn shortly after mine (their birthdays are June and July) was given a section with no issues in her next pregnancy.

birthrights.org.uk/campaigns-research/maternal-request-caesarean/#:~:text=Women%20and%20birthing%20people%20have,who%20request%20a%20caesarean%20section.

@ANiceBigCupOfTea that was like my induction with my first daughter. She was perfectly fine and healthy and on the right targets ect. Pregnancy was all fine and no complications, but it was purely just my worry more than anything and I was granted my wish of an induction on my chosen date. Which sounds silly, but having a date made me feel so much more relaxed

You are definitely allowed to have a c section on maternal request and the NICE guidelines say that if a consultant is not happy to do it then they should refer you to another one.
I blank refused induction after my waters broke with no sign of contractions, so they agreed on c section. I just had to be firm and show them that I knew the risks of having the c section and how it can also affect any future pregnancies.
With your history there is no reason that a c section won’t be allowed, so make sure you get your midwife to refer you for an appointment to discuss your birth choice as early as possible. I am due my second in couple of months and my midwife tried to brush it off when I said I want an appointment to discuss my birth choices, but when I asked for it again the next time I saw her she had no choice but to refer me. The consultant I saw was great and agreed on an elective c section very easily.

Do some research especially about the NICE guidelines and write down your reasons for wanting a section. My trust does the consultant appointments a lot earlier than 36 weeks so you don’t necessarily need to wait until 9 months pregnant to get the chance to discuss your concerns. Also, once you are booked for the c section if you go into labour before your date you get the option to go straight for the surgery and it will be treated as an emergency.

all the best to you OP and hope you get to hold your rainbow baby very soon xx

I chose an elective 2nd time around. Explained my reasoning at a Consultant appointment and booked there and then for 39w.

Same as @CCLCECSC be as confident and unwaivering as you can while aware of risks. It was my second birth and I'd had forceps, tear, trauma first time round. You sound like a good candidate, you've had an awful time and I think this could help.

I had an elective section with my second, with zero push back. I was asked how I wanted to give birth at my booking appointment, and then it all got sorted. As was my (and your) right.

I’ve never heard of anyone in real life having baby issues asking for one.

I have a midwife appointment on Thursday so I will definitely ask then. Thank you ladies x

I requested a C-section with my first. As per the NICE guidelines I’d rehearsed my argument in my head expecting a fight on my hands but honestly it couldn’t have gone anymore straight forward. I spoke to them on the phone (Covid) and she asked my reasons which I gave. She then went through the risks of csections but ultimately said it was my choice and I could have one, I think within a few days I had my date booked.

just in case you do have a battle on your hands I would give a really informed speech and explain you know the risks/benefits. Quote the NICE guidelines so they understand you’re clued up.

if your consultant says no then they have to refer you to someone who will agree however this may mean having your baby at another hospital. I did speak to my community midwife who was lovely and said it was up to me, but it’s not down to your midwife whether or not you can/should have one so even if you don’t get the response you want from her that doesn’t mean you can’t have one

there is a list on the NICE website which states which hospitals tend to ‘allow’ elective csections and thankfully my hospital was included.

fwiw my C-section went very smoothly and was a lovely experience and I will be requesting another with my current pregnancy.