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

Strangly enough MD, o you are just as likely tyou can add the likelyhood of developing pelvic/bowel/urinary problems in your risk analysis for C/s ,it doesn't make you less likely to be incontinent (the pregnancy itself is when the problems start) your bowel or bladder can be nicked,you may develop endometriosis, you are several times more likely to have a condition where the placenta implants through the uterine wall in a subsequent pregnancy,you are more likely to have an emergency hysterectomy,bleed heavily or develop painful adhesions ,you are more likely to have a poor bond with your baby, your baby is more likely to need resucitation,more likely to need special care, less likely to breastfeed sucessfully, may have problems maintaining body temperature after birth , plus all the same problems as can occur if you had any other abdominal surgery - would you have your appendix out , just in case? You are very newly pregnant and probably haven't yet found out that control of your body is one of the first things that you give up when you are pregnant, it does things without you, because that is how it is made

OK

HAVE YOU READ THE BIT WHERE PEOPLE HAVE SAID IT'S NOT JUST THE COST OF A C SECTION THAT IS THE PROBLEM?

HAVE YOU READ WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU ABOUT INCREASED INFANT MORTALITY?

Jeezzz
Yes it is nice to know that your choice will be concidered, but it is wise to listen to the medics who have delivered many many babies and have a much better understanding of the real risks.

Nigella. Can the doctors guarantee anyone a "safe vaginal delivery"?

Also your antagonistic comment about my genuine concerns being a "dodgy excuse" is highly unnecessary.

There is no need to "announce" anything as you have suggested, as that would be a lie. How presumptious of you. I am not scared of labour/stretching. Is that what happened to you?

Furthermore your comment about getting "more support and understanding" speaks volumes more about you than me. Do you feel the need to dress something up to get more support and understanding, by any chance??

yes
yes
and probably

Ok, I'm going now. I didn't come on here TO BE SHOUTED AT IN CAPITALS DKMA. Thanks to everyone who has given advice which is politely and kindly meant.

I have plenty of time to make the right decision. It is amazing that some of you feel that you can shout down a newly pregnant woman who is genuinely worried. This is doing nothing for my health or my poor five week foetus. I can feel my heart pounding and I'm taking myself off to bed.

I think your getting upset because we arent telling you what you want to hear.

Yes you can ask for CS.
No consultant doesnt have to agree.
You SHOULD listen to your doctor, they do know what their talking about.
There IS more risks with CS to you and baby.
Your welcome to go private but am NHS doctor will not agree to it, just coz you want one.

I think you were wound up before you even started on here tbh.
You have a long stretch of pregnancy ahead of you so chill and let your body do what it needs to, rather than worrying about making demands about your labour

Defo off now

yer i asked to have a c section as i had so many problems in pregnancy and my last birth was awful, i asked to speak to my consultant who ask me the reasons why and then said he ll speak to me the follwing app to see if i still felt the same , i think they do c setions on certain days a week by me was a monday and a wednesday, and you do have to wait around obviosly as emergency get priority

I suggest you brace yourself if and when you see a consultant.

Because if you think you're not being handled carefully here, I dread to think what your reaction is going to be be when the consultant tells you his/her opinion and it isn't what you want to hear.

are you for real??

I have had a emergancy CS and 3 natural deliveries. I have recently found out that my cervix is very high up and backwards (during a smear, when the doctor couldn't find it) but I have managed 3 natural deliveries. Why would you want a CS? It was the worse thing I have gone through, I couldn't pick up my baby, I had to BF on a pillow or on my side, when I stood up from the bed, blood poured out of my body I was standing there, in my nightshirt, with these white stockings on, blood pouring out of me, splashing on the floor, with me in tears!! You can't walk at first, you will be in a huge amount of pain (because they cut through your stomach skin, muscles and fat) even coughing will make you think that your stomach will split open!!

BTW I am 5ft tall and a size 8/10, so am also small but still managed 3 natural deliveries

Miss Delighted..

If you are for real, then I guarantee you that in approximately 9 months time, you will look back on this thread and cringe.

With the greatest of respect dear - all the advice you have been given on this thread is by women who have given birth already. Some, multiple times. Sometimes, people really do know better. You should really listen to them.

MissD - I have some helpful information for you... but I don't want to get involved in this thread... not sure I'd be well received IYSWIM...
I go to Kingston Hospital (is that near you?) and they have been VERY helpful. please email me - [email protected] and we can chat a bit.

Sorry you've been told off so much on this thread... completely ridiculous!!!

At 5 weeks the doctor will look at you and say "oh book in to see a midwife in a few weeks" and that will be the end of that consulatation

you won't be able to discuss delivery until about 32 weeks

c-sectios at 39 weeks usually

That's not necessarily true and I know from experience. Email me and we'll chat.

MissDelighted,
Come back or CAT me please. I have had two sections on the NHS. The first was emergency and the second was elective.

I wouldn't advise marching into your GP at 5 weeks pregnant announcing your desire for a section. GP will probably frown at the demand. The NHS won't schedule your section until you are about 36 weeks anyway.

Because you are only 5 weeks, you are in a very good position to work the system. The first thing you should do is research your hospital options on www.birthchoiceuk.com/. Look for a hospital with a medicalised approach (i.e. high caesarean rate) and request that hospital through your GP. You need to know what PCT you are in and what options people in your area are given.

Speaking of which, where are you? Maybe someone on here can advise a good hospital.

I never can understad why when someone posts a thread with a clear preference for a caesarean (and there are no shades of grey in your OP) people find it fair game to come on here and tell you how they disapprove of a section for non medical resons. But, if someone went on a homebirth thread telling the OP that she irresponsible, putting her baby at risk, and really she should be looking at aplanned section, well you'd need hard hats and popcorn.

Anyway, there are some people here on mumsnet who can understand your desire and who can help you get what you want. Just ignore those with less constructive intentions.

well said athena - it's like that with everything in pregnancy... all of a sudden everyone else who has had a baby, is pregnant and even those who have never conceived things it's fair game to throw their opinions on you and make you feel badly/guilty about your decisions and anything that you say or do while pregnant.
I was totally shocked at this thread because I have always found Mumsnet to be incredibly supportive!!
I'm SO GLAD that I didn't post when I was 5 weeks and in EXACTLY the same boat as missdelighted!!! I was already stressed enough.
It's shocking how little people consider other's feelings or where they might be coming from... it makes me a bit sad because I really like MN...

I agree with hatttrick. Tell your GP that you have this shape problem and ask to be referred to the consultant to discuss your options very early. Then, when you get to the consultant, put your case forward.

But, first, get into a good hospital!

Sorry - you're so right! It's one of those mornings.... focusing too much on the negative!! Now look who's ridiculous? It's me! Thanks, Hatrick - I needed that wake up

There have been some very supportive posts here. I was just overly sensitive to it because I did just what she's going to do - went in and asked for elective c section at first appointment - had valid concerns, but the rest of the world (aside of one fantastic friend) made me feel awful about it.

Hatrick, I don't think the comments about unsupportive posters were directed at you. Mine certainly weren't. But tere were enough comments from enough posters were were unsuppportive and just plain rude that I just thought the OP could use some words of support.