Would you opt for a C-section in this situation?

[Lunalovegod]

I'm just hoping to see what others would do in this situation. I'm a bit stuck on making a decision as I don't want a C-section, although it might be the right thing to do. It might help me make the right decision if enough people say they'd opt for a C-section, although I know it's ultimately my decision. Sorry if it's a bit long-winded.

I had my first child 7 years ago. I knew I'd lost a lot of blood, but that's all I was told at the time. It's only been during this pregnancy that I've found out how serious it was. I lost 1.2L, narrowly missing needing a blood transfusion. I've now been told the average amount lost is 250ml, which has scared me tbh. If I opt for a natural birth again, I'm not allowed in the 'normal' delivery room, I need to have extra doctors on hand just incase, and I need to go on a drip afterwards to help expel the placenta.

My mum wants me to have a C-section. It's something I really didn't want, but I've been getting more scared the closer I get to the birth now (I'm due 9th Feb), and I've been wondering myself if it's something I should do.

I had major surgery for something else earlier this year already and it's not something I wanted to do again, plus I'm scared of the risk of infection and the scar afterwards. But I'm equally, if not more, scared of losing that amount of blood again and possibly needing the blood transfusion.
Though there's always the possibility that I may not lose too much blood this time. I don't know what to do.

How would others feel in my situation? I appreciate any responses.

I had an emergency c section last week, like you I was worried about it and trying to avoid having one but in the end it was best for baby and for me. I found the recovery fine overall, the first few hours I was completely out of it but midwife showed DH how to change baby etc and by about 12 hours later I was able to do it myself. The only thing I’d say is the medication they give you is a bit overwhelming so get them to write down for you and for your partner as it’s so easy to forget in the newborn haze. I would get a c section if pregnant again, I was even walking the dogs 2 days later.

Generally pretty well. Anaesthetics stop repeatedly checking the progress on the office whiteboard as frequently in multips (2nd time or more) vs primips. Obv not guaranteed but once your body "gets going" are less likely to need our input in theatre

When you discuss your birth plan it would be very reasonable to ask to labour in the pool and get put to push, that's often a good compromise for those who want less medicalisation but are at slightly increased risk

A few thoughts (from another obs anaesthetist):
1.2L isn't wildly uncommon (via either route of delivery). It's a volume of blood that freaks most normal people out but would have just been a fairly normal thing to deal with for the staff.
If the blood was coming out in clots you could interpret that as being good - it means you weren't absolutely hosing blood and hadn't lost enough that it was interfering with the clotting process.
Delivering in the pool is usually not advised if you've had/been close to a PPH simply because it's impossible to assess blood loss if you're sitting in a pool of water (and if someone bleeds enough to limit their ability to move then it can be difficult to get out of the pool in a hurry if needed). It may be possible to labour in the pool but come out to deliver on dry land if that appeals - possibly worth discussing if that might be a safe option for you you do go for a vaginal delivery.
If a bleed is due to poor uterine tone (which it often is if labour's been quick/augmented with the drip) then there's often things that can be done to reduce the risk in a future labour (IV access in anticipation, uterotonic medication after delivery) and to manage things differently if it does happen again (blood immediately available, medication to help keep clotting normal, earlier decision to go to theatre, etc).
Optimising iron levels before delivery is a good idea however you plan to deliver - puts you in a better starting position for any blood loss.
A c-section is a potentially bloody operation (have seen a couple of litres blood loss before even incising the uterus before!). The advantage perhaps is that you already have the room full of people to deal with a haemorrhage if it does happen so there's a bit less pulling of emergency buzzers and people barrelling in to a nice quite delivery room.

the blood supply to the uterus at term is phenomenal (about 750ml blood passes through each min) - that a lot of women only lose about half a litre is a miracle of physiology (mainly) and medicine (a bit)!