Is csection a choice?

[Blue2020]

This is longer than I thought it would be.

I was under the impression a csection was a choice. I’m 31 weeks and today my midwife asked me if I had made any choices about the birth yet. I said I think I’m going to go for a csection.
To which she said you can only have a csection if you have a medical reason, otherwise they won’t let you. What is your reason?
To be honest I wasn’t prepared to list my reasoning so I felt taken aback a bit.

She did then look on the front and see my first was an emergency csection, said was it due to high bp and I explained while worsening preeclampsia forced me to have my son at 35 weeks, it was technically my sons static ctg that led to the csection being the safest option for him. She did then shrug it off saying they may possibly let me because my first was, and if that’s what I want to choose. I walked out of there and cried afterwards while sat in my car (maybe it’s my hormones). I don’t think the reasons I had my first will happen again this time, I could be wrong though. I just have optimism this time, and a very low bp.

I am consultant led and the midwife won’t schedule the csection because I’m consultant led. However now I’m worried I need to justify a case to choose a csection when I meet the consultant at 33 weeks. In previous sessions I have said ‘no induction under any circumstances, can I request a csection but I’m willing to try if I go into labour naturally before then’. The same midwife just said well if you go for a csection you likely won’t naturally go into labour before it because it would be around 39 weeks. Eg being dismissive of my choice. To the point today I just decided not to mention the final part and just say I would like a csection.

My initial worry was uterine rupture (especially with never reaching full term before so my uterus is going to grow bigger than before with the weakened scar- I had my son 22 months ago for reference). The consultant gave me the statistics at 14 weeks on the phone and from there I have been thinking more against a vaginal birth as the weeks pass. First ruling out induction but now just leaning towards csection to know. I could be wrong but I don’t think they will let me go over anyway due to my last pregnancy. Even my friend who is a student midwife just witnessed a uterine rupture with a person labouring with an epidural. She said it was touch and go for both the mother and baby, and the baby was out of the uterus by the time they opened her up. This will be my second/last baby all being well.

Don't expect support for c sections from midwives. I was told by one that women must suffer in childbirth!

I wanted a c section for my 2nd baby after a traumatic first delivery. The midwives refused to even discuss it so I insisted on a meeting with the consultant. I had a whole speech prepared but before I could deliver it, he said that of course I could have a c section. Went on to say it was a far safer form of delivery. The midwife's face was a picture.

So you need to push for a c section if you want one.

Slightly different situation as I was asking for an induction (due to rib pain)

I spoke to the consultant and he said I didn't need to convince him, I needed to be sure in myself. He was a breath of fresh air. Consultants and medical professionals are there to guide us but it is our body and our birth. As long as what we are choosing is save they are generally happy to help.

(I didn't need The induction in the end as I went into labour at 38+5)

Also to add the midwives through my Labour were brilliant and supportive so i don't have a negative thing to say about midwives during that part of my pregnancy

I had an unplanned emergency c section with no1. 4 days of labour so was a mess after.
Decided I wasn't doing that again and demanded a C-section with no2. Bit resistant. Think I cried, cited mental health etc, In the end agreed I would have a c-Section on my due date if I didn't labour naturally first.
Mentally I was not going into labour and had my baby by c-section on the due date.
Turns out it was the right choice. I had terrible scarring. The C-section took 2 hours. If I had needed an emergency section it wouldn't have been easy.

I had a c-section first time round for a breech baby (also had pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes).

Second time round every time anyone asked what birth I wanted I'd say "probably a c-section" and they'd say "ok, I'll put that down". Didn't have anyone try and talk me out of it. The consultant was particular pro c-sections telling me his wife had had 3 etc. I hope the next person you see about it just says fine. But if they don't, please don't take no for an answer. You are definitely allowed one.

Yes it's a choice , no the consultant doesn't always have to grant your choice and give you the section. You can request another consultant though and ask them instead. I was told no and the following week see another consultant who said yes. I'm due my section next week, I didn't have any 'valid medical reason' just that he's over 95th centile since 16 weeks and I'm a first time mum who don't want to birth such a big baby with the risk of him getting stuck, I was offered induction early which I declined

Just to add , most midwife's I've seen have been eye rolly that I've chose a section and don't particularly'agree' with my decision. But who cares. It's my birth :)

You do have a choice. Hospital might infer or directly say you don't have a choice but that's simply just not true

I know hospitals get fixated on not giving c sections but tough. I said at booking in l wanted one and reiterated that whenever they asked. Vaginal birth would have been a terrible for my circumstances: 43, twins who were both breech and IVF. Plus l would have declined an induction

Definitely a choice. I was in hospital and decided last minute after being induced (which didn't work) I told the midwife I wanted a c section, she got the doctor to come down to me and talk me through it (they will try and talk you out of it but just be stern and know what you want) after hearing about the surgery and then signing a few documents at around 8am, I had a c section and LB was born at 2:10pm that day.

Even if you don't sort it out now, just know even at the last minute you can arrange it.

Your body your choice.