Can I INSIST on having a caesarian?? also how are caesarian op dates decided?!

[MissDelighted]

I am 5 weeks pg with DC1 and am due to see the doctor next week. I wondered if it is possible to insist on a caesarian (in a normal NHS hospital) or if it is down to the doctors/midwives/hospital/postcode. I am certain I do not want a natural birth and want to make this clear as early as possible to the medics.

I am so set on a caesarian birth I am prepared to use savings to go private as a last resort, although I don't wish to have to do this.

Also, for anyone who has had a Caesarian - do they perform them bang on your due date or is it down to the baby's development nearer the time, or even beds available on particular days? How is it decided?

I would really appreciate any info/advice prior to seeing the doctor as I want to make sure I am armed with enough information not to be swept away with what she thinks should happen. Thanks in advance

bladder and attached ligaments

I have a retroverted uterus and 34 inch hips, I've had 3 babies naturally.

I've no idea about that one, but having my bladder lifted away from my uterus during my C/S certainly had a larger effect than my VB's, and in a VB the head tends to bypass the bladder pretty quickly at the pushing stage- there's really quite a lot of room in there!

If you are paying privately then they will basically do what you want.....but thats not neccessarily thats best for mother or child!

Every expectant mother wonders if their body can cope with labour and birth....me included (I have a chronic health condition) but the vast majority do, as I did. CS are great when needed for emergency medical reasons - my 2 nephews were both born by em cs - but the concept that they should be done just becasue the mother wants one is one which worries me.

Also, please bear in mind if you do go private your baby will be born when the consultant has got room in his/her schedule, not nexxessarily when you want!

I really think you need to talk to a health professionla and get all the info before you make such a drastic decision.

I think it is a bit emotive to be calling a lack of an elective C Section a "forced vb", when a vaginal birth is the biological outcome of a pregnancy.
While I'm not against C Sections when needed(I've had 2 of them!) I do wonder if there are better ways of supporting women who are frightened of labour than a surgical delivery, in most cases before the baby is absolutely ready to be born. I would rather that there was more education for women about the process of labour, and adequate midwife support and decent clean facilities for women when they are in labour.

Becaroo I am equally concerned that you feel it is ok to deny women choice.

Turniphead might I suggest that you read The Weaker Vessel (a womans lot in C17th England) by Antonia Fraser - specifically the chapter entitled Pain and Peril. You may change your mind regarding just how well designed the female body is to give birth without help. Thank goodness we live in the 21st Century and have recourse to intervention if needed!

Yes of course the preference would always be a straightforward complication free vb in a peaceful loving environment. Ufortunately we cannot just choose this as a forgone conclusion. I don't blame anyone for wanting to check out their options, I am sure our 17th century sisters would have loved more choice regarding birthing options.

Jamila thank you so much for answering all my questions with good grace.

Can I be cheeky and query whether it was easier and less traumatic to have vbs because you laboured first before your cs and therefore alot of the 'stretching' would have already been done? (Of course I am assuming here that you had a cs before subsequent vbacs, please dont feel that you have to give details if this is intrusive speculation.)

Also if a female labours first before a cs I would think that it would be difficult to tell whether labouring or the cs has caused feelings of internal trauma. Only conjecture though!

Alot of our discussions are subjective but I am still very clear in my own mind that it is crucial for women to have birth choices and, as far as possible, control over what happens to their own bodies.

Haven't read the thread so apologies, but I had 2 elective c-sections and can't recommend it highly enough. Terribly pain-free and civilised. What other bodily procedure would you go through without anaesthetic?

Hey Starlight I guess I am the curved ball - wanted a homebirth first time - got an ok natural delivery without intervention in a fab NHS hospital....however requested an elective cs for my second birth. Guess I've always been the awkward one!

Ah see what you mean Starlight - not preference regarding a second birth! Well I would say both my vb and elective cs were fine each had their merits and drawbacks guess I was luckY, I am glad I experienced both actually. Maybe why I am so pro choice.

Yes of course, is only my experience and opinion. I totally respect their views(and I think they're nutters)

Quote: Thank goodness we live in the 21st Century and have recourse to intervention if needed!

The OP is 5 weeks pregnant...is intervention "needed"???????

I am not anti cs...the operation saved both my nephews and my sisters lives, but I am very worried that some people think that fear of pain/reluctance to be inconvenienced by vaginal birth is a valid reason for a major abdoninal surgery with the attendant increase in maternal mortality rates!!!!