C-Section, help?? x

[Shelli08]

Does anyone know if it is true that you can choose to have a C-section nowadays?? its been 10 years since i was last pg so i don't know what has changed. I have had two children, the first one i had forceps and 25 stitches, second i was induced and 8 stitches, i am dreading labour again because i have had these problems and would do anything for a less painful birth!! Can anyone help?? xx

You need to be referred to an obstetrician, and discuss it with them, as an individual.

There is no "policy" that governs every decision. Some might, some might not on your previous obstetric history.

You might well have good reasons in this pregnancy for one anyway, without having to force the issue, particularly with the lengthy gap between pregnancies. How old are you now, if thats not too personal a question!

It isn't necessarily a pain-free proceedure. There's a lot of healing to be done afterwards, and the risk of infection and other things. The birth itself will of course be pain free (I know, i've had 2 sections!) but afterwards was no joke.

If you've had a rough time before then discuss with a consultant, see what their "policy" is and it'll give you a chance to explain why you'd like a section and them the chance to explain the proceedure and the complications further.

Its not a case of being able to choose its more you and you consultant/ obstetrician discussing everything and deciding onthe best option. My second birth was an elective section as my first labour was terrible ending in a section and he was huge so they expected a big second baby too.

I am 32, its just that i read somewhere that you could choose and you are numbed from the chest downwards, i also read about the after effects that can take a while to heal, i just wondered, has anyone gone through normal labour and a c section and could give any advice as to what was better pain wise?? i am such a wimp arent i lol xxx

Hi

I had 2 c-sections in the past 6 years and my third-and final- is due in less than 6 weeks.

I chose to have a section for personal reasons and my consultant was bright enough to understand it would be the best option for me. And it was. The recovery time is not that long-i was standing up on the same night of the operation

Shelli08 I had a very similar experience to Scramble with DD and will be asking for an elective section for DC2.

I haven't had an actual birth, however I did discuss the different ways with my friend who had an emergancy section with DC1 with general anesthetic, a natural birth with DC2, and then an elective c-section with DC3 as she was hospitalised late in pg and was not allowed to leave until the birth.

She told me to go with the elective c-section as she found she coped much better after the birth than when she had DC2 - I think she had problems with stitches after natural labour.

I have also read about elective c-sections, and the majority of experiences are positive.

I hope this helps

Hi Shelli,

Have you had a look over on the "childbirth" board - there's a few threads on there from women who have had similar experiences to yourself.

Hope it works out x

Hi Shelli

I had a rough (but not life threatening) labour with DD#1 (back to back, prolonged 2nd stage, ventouse, 3rd degree tear) and was referred back to consultant for cauterising (sp?) as I was not healed after 6 months. Was automatically referred for shared consultant/midwife care and requested the same consultant as he'd been fab. Saw him at 12 wks and discussed my dread of labour second time around - he will see me again at 34 wks to discuss what I want to do. Basically he has said that the chances of having another difficult birth are slim, but ultimately if I want c-section then I can have one. So far I think this baby is breech at 33 wks and I had placenta previa at 20wks - so odds are I'll be heading for the knife!

I've heard plenty of positive stories for elective c-sections. It's definitely worth discussing with your midwife - although I found the midwife slightly less supportive compared to the hospital staff - so try and get yourself a consultant referral.

Good luck

Claire