How hard do you have to push for an elective c sec?

[SB1712]

I’m 24 weeks and have an appointment with the consultant around 32 weeks.
This is my second pregnancy and I had a vaginal birth with my first.

It wasn’t the most traumatic compared to some women but a lot of things went wrong (fainted after being given epidural as given too much, ventouse delivery, episiotomy & stitches and cord round baby’s neck 3 times) and my recovery was awful with horrendous piles and stitches as well as a mild bladder prolapse.

I have a lot of friends who asked for an elective but they were talked out of it by the consultant. I feel so emotional this pregnancy and I am terrified of not being able to stick up for myself enough during the appointment to push for this. I feel anxious about it already and feel annoyed there is resistance.

Those that have opted for this, how hard did you have to push? Has anyone had it for similar reasons to me after a not so straight forward vaginal birth?

Based in Northern Ireland, zero push back.

I had a similar first birth to you and found myself unexpectedly pregnant when DC1 wasn’t a year yet. I didn’t have any real pushback for an ELCS but I was just absolutely clear and dogged about the fact I was going to be having one. Sort of never entertained the alternative and made it clear from booking in and at every subsequent appt.

Look up the NICE guidelines, which are very clear about your right to choose a C-section, print them out, take them in, and keep pointing at them.

(I didn't have to push at all but I was 41 with various complications so mine was planned for medical reasons. I did however go in ready to fight for one. It was a really beautiful birth.)

I had zero pushback. You just need to tell them you have read the information and understand the respective risks. My elective was brilliant and I would thoroughly recommend.

No push back here as I was very clear and made it known I had thought about it clearly, done my research and made my decision.

Be firm and show you’ve done your homework. It’s your choice.

Check this site out for clarity and confidence - you have the right to an elective section.

https://birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/right-to-a-c-section/

Make it clear that your decision is made and you’re looking forward to it.

I can only share my personal experience but I bloody loved mine. Calm, planned and beautiful. I feel very lucky my birth experience was so positive and I’m so sorry to you and others who have experienced birth trauma of any kind.

Best of luck to you and remember, you can always ask to speak to someone else if you feel you aren’t being heard or respected.

That's what my DIL did at every appointment for second pregnancy. She and baby almost died in labour when she started fitting pre eclampsia.. Emergency c section then.

They still tried to persuade her when she arrived in labour with the second to do it vaginal delivery. Apparently my son then raised the roof, they backed down and looked at the notes more closely and agreed.

Just stand firm @SB1712

Thank you for your replies, I’m definitely going to have a read of those links you posted. My husband will be coming with me to the appointment and said he is more than happy to take over if I feel I’m not being heard but I want to be heard on my own if I can. I want to give my reasons and stand firm with it, I just don’t want to get upset whilst doing it.
I still can’t properly talk about my first birth without crying, so it’s definitely left lasting trauma/ PTSD.

I am anxious about the c section, and the risks I can’t lie. This time around everything scares me more, maybe because I know more now. I like to be in control and felt so out of control last time.
But I don’t want to be induced and I really don’t want an emergency c section so I feel an elective would be the best option for me.

Talk to them.

My emergency section was the best, to be honest, far better than my elective, but “elective” is a bit misleading because I didn’t get a choice. I’d have loved to try naturally.

You can choose, though. Know the risks. I completely declined induction, which would have been fine. You can set a section for 42 weeks if you’ve not gone into labour naturally, which is what I’d have done - in the end, she had to come at 35 weeks.

Congratulations and best of luck regardless x

It's okay to cry in your appointments. Getting emotional should not stop them listening to you and respecting your wishes.
And while you should be prepared to stand firm, you don't need to justify your decision or convince anyone that you should be "allowed". There's also a good chance you won't have any pushback at all.
I had a meeting with the consultant because I'm going "out of guidelines" this time. I was sure it was going to be a big argument but actually she was really lovely and supportive. She just explained what the increased risks are and what they know about why. She was really calm and clear, and waited for any questions.
As others have said, make it clear at the booking appointment, always better to say early. That way you can get the uncertainty over with and (hopefully) relax a bit for the rest of your pregnancy.