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

Just a couple of afterthoughts (from the other side of the globe, takes me a while to catch up with you all :-)

First, I refused to watch the birthing videos at the antenatal classes, eventually gave in to watching one at home, and still really wished I hadn't.

Second, after 6 days of induced labour, medical/drug areas, ending up seriously ill, and having the staff say "at least you had a NATURAL birth, and baby was fine"... I really was gunning for a c-s if I ever got the guts up (ahem) to have another one. But having seen so many friends try and deal with the aftermath of c-s, I realise it has it's own set of problems.

Finally, I had almost convinced myself I should try and go for a VB next time (which is amusing here as a VB is a beer of course :-) when I just read the biggest study ever of VBs against elective c-sections, with all complicated cases removed from the data etc.... and the risk of fatality to the infant was almost twice that of a VB, with an elective c-section.

That was all I needed to hear really. I realise it wouldn't be so cut-and-dried for everyone, but thought it was a something extra for the debate, if it's not already over!

Rats, can't find the link now... will come back with it if you're interested...

PS this sounds like a v. specific problem you are dealing with OP, I had something very similar and had "brief therapy" - not saying it'st he answer, but found it brilliant. Good luck.

I meant watching TV programmes about birth sets off and ingrains fear of birth.

With hypnobirthing you reject any negative stories about birthing.

Starlight Mckenzie, I think your experience is quite unique but also I think Tens machines can affect people differently and actually can inhibit natural endorphins. I wonder if people have actually found them any good at all??? I think Dr. Motha says that you should avoid them at all costs!

I found my TENS absolutely brilliant in a very short and very painful labour. Dr Gowri Motha is not for everyone - I have a couple of her books but making up ayurvedic tinctures and total avoidance of all wheat products throughout the 9 months is not for everyone!

I was thinking that Dr. Gowthri Motha has a different perspective on why so many women end up having over medicalised births which could be useful for the OP. You make her sounds like a crackpot when actually alot of what she says is really good advice..like giving birth is like a marathon and you should train for it... I never gave up wheat just picked bits that I thought would work for me!

I was thinking that Dr. Gowthri Motha has a different perspective on why so many women end up having over medicalised births which could be useful for the OP. You make her sounds like a crackpot when actually alot of what she says is really good advice..like giving birth is like a marathon and you should train for it... I never gave up wheat just picked bits that I thought would work for me!