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Original poster

Elective C Section Consultation - I am not sure now

15 replies

AlienLady · 04/11/2024 17:09

I had my C Section Consultation today as I want an elective as I had forceps last time and an awful delivery.
He started the conversation with “I don’t think you’ll be granted one because…”
and made it about how I’m less likely to have forceps.

I then had to talk to him about my previous delivery. He didn’t have notes for my previous one so was surprised when I told him I got sepsis and my baby had to have antibiotics too. I then talked him through the trauma and ended up crying. He still tried to talk me out of it but abit more reluctantly and started to see the trauma of my previous birth. He then relented and I have signed the consent forms.

However it seems my c section date will be 39 weeks + 6 days so chances of me going to have natural birth are high which is annoying.

I keep thinking of the risks, 1 in 5000 of losing my womb? Etc but I did say these risks are the same if I ended up emergency.

Why do I feel abit deflated?

OP posts:
sel2223 · 04/11/2024 17:29

After the 'I don't think you'll be granted one.....' I'd have stood up and demanded an appointment with another consultant.
Disgraceful excuse for maternal care, so sorry you had to deal with that attitude and relive the trauma you went through

Yip294 · 04/11/2024 17:33

They’re not allowed to turn you down. If you want one, they must give you one. There’s no ‘granting’ involved. I’d complain!

Boymum2104 · 04/11/2024 17:43

Yip294 · 04/11/2024 17:33

They’re not allowed to turn you down. If you want one, they must give you one. There’s no ‘granting’ involved. I’d complain!

They can turn you down but they do have to find you another consultant who would be willing to do the surgery

readyforroundthree · 04/11/2024 17:46

It's really poor that he didn't even bother to read your notes from your previous birth. My first birth was an emergency c section and my last birth and this birth (next month) are electives and each time I had the c section consultation they had read my history beforehand.
You are allowed the choice and yes they have to give you the risks, but it's the same with any surgery. If he isn't prepared to do it then he should refer you to someone who is willing to do it. How was the conversation left?

Boymum2104 · 04/11/2024 17:46

From my experience it is very common they try & 'talk you out of it' I imagine down to the costs involved for the nhs (?) you just have to stand your ground and whilst one consultant can refuse the surgery they do have to find you a consultant who will do it. I had my first csection 18m ago & 2nd is in a few weeks time! Good luck

UncharteredWaters · 04/11/2024 17:55

It’s not refer you to someone will to do it, it’s someone willing to discuss it. As no surgeon could say another surgeon would/would not.

Have a think/ make a list about your individual pros/cons. What’s important to you, what scares you, what would be right/wrong for you. Then have a look at risks/benefits of each option.
It might make things clearer either way for you.

The internet is full of people telling you what to do/behave/should or should not have but you’re an individual who will value each worry or concern to a different weight.

Original poster
AlienLady · 04/11/2024 17:55

He didn’t have my notes because I last gave birth in 2018 and their system didn’t have notes that far back. It was also done in a different trust as I lived somewhere else.

He did listen my story, gave me a tissue and after speaking to his boss, came in and put his hand on my shoulder and said he totally understood why I was hesistant. I suppose he has to try to talk me out of it?

He wasn’t pushy or anything but I don’t know why I expected him to be like “Okay yes you can have one”… one of my friends got granted c sections for her first and second without hesitation.

OP posts:
readyforroundthree · 04/11/2024 18:01

AlienLady · 04/11/2024 17:55

He didn’t have my notes because I last gave birth in 2018 and their system didn’t have notes that far back. It was also done in a different trust as I lived somewhere else.

He did listen my story, gave me a tissue and after speaking to his boss, came in and put his hand on my shoulder and said he totally understood why I was hesistant. I suppose he has to try to talk me out of it?

He wasn’t pushy or anything but I don’t know why I expected him to be like “Okay yes you can have one”… one of my friends got granted c sections for her first and second without hesitation.

I understand why you feel the way you do.
When I requested my first elective they obviously gave me the risks and said I could try for a vaginal delivery but not once did they try and talk me out of it. I was really firm though and said it was absolutely non negotiable for me. I was also given a 'yes, it's been granted' at the appointment'.

How many weeks are you and when have they said they will give you an answer?

OchAyeTheN00 · 04/11/2024 18:05

I had similar and they booked me for my EDD. I did not go into labour and all was fine.

if you go into labour they’ll do an EMCS or you can choose to labour. I think they purposefully make them late term as they hope you’ll choose to labour. That said, they won’t perform before 39w anyway.

Original poster
AlienLady · 04/11/2024 18:10

readyforroundthree · 04/11/2024 18:01

I understand why you feel the way you do.
When I requested my first elective they obviously gave me the risks and said I could try for a vaginal delivery but not once did they try and talk me out of it. I was really firm though and said it was absolutely non negotiable for me. I was also given a 'yes, it's been granted' at the appointment'.

How many weeks are you and when have they said they will give you an answer?

Show quote history

I am 38 weeks now. He said my appointment will be most likely next Friday which makes me 39 + 6 days.
They didn’t reply to my midwife when she sent the email for a consultation at 34 weeks, 2 weeks chasing them I finally got an appointment today after a cancellation.

OP posts:
TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 04/11/2024 18:15

If you spontaneously labour you can still insist on your c-section. Quite possible there will be "emergencies" ahead of you. I got managed into a vbac and forceps delivery in hindsight but be "that patient" as soon as you have the first sign of labour if it's ahead of your confirmed date.
I would also keep ringing to see if you can grab a cancellation because someone else has had their baby at a different time to plan.

Hrf1503 · 05/11/2024 08:19

Boymum2104 · 04/11/2024 17:46

From my experience it is very common they try & 'talk you out of it' I imagine down to the costs involved for the nhs (?) you just have to stand your ground and whilst one consultant can refuse the surgery they do have to find you a consultant who will do it. I had my first csection 18m ago & 2nd is in a few weeks time! Good luck

Interestingly there’s no massive difference in the cost. I was feeling nosey and looked up how much it costs to give birth privately at my last hospital and the difference was only £1300 for vaginal v csect (and that difference included an extra night stay in the hosp).

Yip294 · 05/11/2024 08:21

Hrf1503 · 05/11/2024 08:19

Interestingly there’s no massive difference in the cost. I was feeling nosey and looked up how much it costs to give birth privately at my last hospital and the difference was only £1300 for vaginal v csect (and that difference included an extra night stay in the hosp).

Show quote history

Added to which, studies show it would be cheaper for every woman to have a C section, than the current state of affairs where the NHS has to pick up the ongoing tab for birth injuries to mothers and babies, physio, repair ops, compensation etc.

Nodlikeyouwerelistening · 05/11/2024 08:29

If you have requested an elective c-section you will get it, don’t worry. I went into labour before my c-section date. I still got my elective, but did spend more time contracting than I’d hoped obviously!
As for the date they booked in there’s nothing to say it won’t be sooner. C-section dates (even elective) are hard to book because the numbers are ever fluid with emergencies coming in and ones like mine that happen earlier making space on the lists.

mitogoshigg · 05/11/2024 09:36

He needs to tell you that c sections are higher risk. It still could be right for you but it's not a situation if c section all good. Lots of potential for complications and far longer recovery. If you medically need a c section then of course it is right to have one but opting out of choice needs them to discuss the very real risks. And despite what someone here wrote, they are not cheaper than dealing with very rare serious vaginal birth complications as c sections have a higher complication rates.

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