Trying to put me off an elective section

[Owler26]

I've posted before about being anxious about pregnancy and birth.

So I found out I was pregnant and was having a really bad time with panic attacks and not sleeping, terrified of birth. When I saw my midwife for the first time she suggested I have a c section.
This made me calm right down, I'd love a c section, most people I know have had one and I've been jealous of them. I know it's not the easy way out or anything daft like that but I'm not terrified of them like I am a natural birth.

Anyways the hospital just rang, I'm 14 weeks now. She basically read out a huge list of risks of c section, she kept saying significantly higher risk of baby having breathing problems, baby getting cut during the section, infection, future pregnancies significantly higher risk of stillborn, placenta growing through the old scar tissue etc. (there was loads more she said)

But it really annoyed me as I thought... Are you going to list all the horrible risks that come with a natural delivery then? Shoulder dystocia, cord wrapped around neck, 3rd and 4th degree tears, episiotomy, infection, forceps, pelvic floor collapse, incontinence etc.

Both methods of delivery come with risk, I just thought this was unfair to only list one.
Or comparing worst case scenario c section to a wonderful best case scenario labour.

I think the appointment with the consultants about it is going to be quite difficult for me.

When I had my emergency c section these risks got read out to me, it's basically like the list of side effects you get in medication packets - can happen but very unlikely. Like you say there's risks with both but for you, mentally, the pros are outweighing the cons which is all you should be thinking about. It was probably a legal tick box from their perspective I would try to forget about it!

I wanted a section for my second. Dead against a natural birth. Had an extremely traumatic first delivery, which took months to heal from. Mentally took years. Pretty nearly every intervention except an emergency section but was being prepped one when I finally delivered.

Had the pregnancy choices meeting and using my medical history they told me all the negatives that could arise and the positive outcomes as well. For both.

Given what had happened, I ended up opting for a natural birth. It was amazing. Painful af. No pain relief, there wasn't enough time. But, healing was a bloody Doddle. I was at a summer fair 4 days post delivery.

By all means, educate yourself and be open to discussions. I'm glad I was.

What helped was the fact I was told I could request a section even if in natural labour depending on what stage I was in. To go in to the mat ward ASAP. Knowing, I had every option available to me was weirdly comforting.

Good luck and don't let them badger you.

Hi

What website is this please? I can't see from the picture

Thanks

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Here’s the link

https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/bdybg1il/pi_considering_caesarean_birth_lp-updated-links2.pdf

The birth choices appointment was fine. I went there with a list of things I was worried about like strep b infection and faecal incontinence and the baby getting stuck and being starved of oxygen. She basically said she can't promise any of these but they're less likely without an epidural which put me off vaginal delivery even more. They then booked me in for an elective c section which was fine and enjoyable even. (Recovery was tougher than I thought it would be though!)

This is nonsense.

If your anxiety is this high there IS a medical reason. It boils my piss that they are classified as 'maternal request'.

My consultant wrote MENTAL HEALTH in big capital letters all over my notes for a reason.

Extreme anxiety during childbirth can disrupt the natural process. Women who report extreme anxiety have different clinical outcomes than those who don't.

This again, there is a legitimate physical health reason for considering requests like this to be on the grounds of medical need.

They just have to. And you'd be the first to complain and sue, if anything went wrong and you had not been professionally been warned of any risks.

In short ffs.

They need to make sure you understand what your signing up for, it is major surgery after all. I know someone who had an ELCS because she didn't want to bleed after the baby was born. Like she honestly thought the reason you bleed after birth is because you pushed a baby out and if she had a section there'd be no bleeding. Shocking really that the doctors in her case didn't have this conversation with her that you've had or she might not have ended up with unnecessary surgery.

They need to have a conversation with you about your reasons for having a section and the risks involved so they you don't get major, potentially life changing surgery without understanding it. Yes you know you're informed but they don't know that until they speak to you!

I had an emergency section after failed home birth attempt with independent midwife (who recommended transfer to hospital), then 2 elective caesarians. The electives were stress free and the recovery was easy (I had one in my 20s and one in my 40s). The emergency one was very traumatic. Just do what you feel is right for you. Do not worry about it.

I have many friends who are doctors, or married to doctors. Without exception, every female doctor I know and every wife of a doctor has had an elective Caesarian. There's a reason for that.