1st pregnancy - elcs?

[Biscuitbreaker]

I have an underlying condition which I had been told (and I had always thought) would most probably result in a planned c-section.

Today I saw a consultant who said he saw no reason why I couldn't deliver naturally, but my midwife has suggested limited pushing and forceps etc. which doesn't sound natural. It sounds very stressful and I don't feel like they are on the same page with expectations for the birth.

I don't feel conflicted and very worried. Can I decide to have a caesarean? I was told by my midwife they would only do them under medical necessities. Please don't think I'm assuming a c-section is a magic solution, I'm well-researched, I just feel like my 'plan' such as it was, has been changed with no input from me.

I suppose it depends on exactly what the underlying condition is and why it would necessitate a CS. Maybe it's worth asking to see the consultant again and going through the precise risks for your situation and condition. I would ask specfically to discuss the chances of intervention with a vaginal birth and the implications of that versus the implications of a CS.

I guess it all depends on how the labour progresses - baby might come out easily with limited pushing by itself without forceps esp if you are upright.

It depends on what the underlying condition is - so hard for anyone to advise - presumably the consultant took into account the risk when he suggested normal delivery?

Hi there,
I started a similar thread a while ago which you might find useful.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/954334-Anyone-asked-for-ELCS-for-first-baby

biscuitbreaker, I can see why you are worried by apparently conflicting advice - as others have said, it's kind of impossible to comment without knowing more about your condition (don't feel pressured into revealing anything you don't want to, btw! just saying that obviously it limits how informed responses can be).

You might want to clarify with your consultant what he means by a 'natural' delivery. (there was quite an interesting thread in the Childbirth section a little while ago about this, I can't find it now, sorry). He may simply mean 'vaginal birth' - as in, he thinks you should be capable of delivering vaginally, but with a likelihood of intervention. In which case, he and your MW might actually be saying the same thing. 'Natural' birth does seem to vary as a definition according to who's using it.

It's also true that a lot of women (and I'm not arguing for the rightness or wrongness of any POV here!) with health problems would be pushing for a VB over a CS, even with an increased likelihood of intervention. Often a compromise is reached whereby a mother has a 'trial of labour' (essentially a good stab at it, with the agreement that they'll move to a CS if things go awry).

However, there are women who weigh the risks of a potentially complicated VB and its outcome against an elcs, and prefer the latter.

Unless you've been clear with your MW and consultant what your preference is, then they may be assuming you're in the 'do anything to avoid a planned CS' camp, and just feel they are being encouraging.

All I can say without knowing more details, sorry. But I hope you get some clarity about your advice.

Thank you all.

Barkfox - your post made a lot of sense. I have been deliberately vague for fear of 'outing' myself, as it is a rather specific situation... But perhaps they do think they are encouraging me...

I can see I'm just going to have to talk to them again! I just wish I could get them in the same room!

Pixiecake, that thread was great, thank you.