I want to have an elective caesarean for my current birth. Post Reply

[two of a kind]

Can anyone shed any light?
For medical reasons I had a previous c-section at C&W and had understood that if I wanted to, I would be able to have my next birth also by c-section. I have now been told that they strongly recommend against this and I should try for a VBAC with my current pregnancy. Any advice on how I can convince them otherwise and to allow me to have an elective caesarean which is what I really want.

[Goldhawk]

You can thank them for their recommendation and say that after consideration you want a section. 
Then ask how the c section booking is arranged.
 

[KatherineHepburn]

Absolutely what Goldhawk just said. 
Thank them for their recommendation and then just ask them how you get your caesarean booked in.

It is your choice as to how you give birth and you do not have to give reasons or explanations over and over again to anyone.

Of course there are benefits and risks to both caesarean and VBAC birth and it will serve you well to research both in detail. However, your final decisions is yours to make. 

If you are having any further difficulties you can contact the AIMS helpline here: https://www.aims.org.uk/contact

Or you can contact Birthrights here: advice@birthrights.org.uk - https://www.birthrights.org.uk/

I also find Dr Sara Wickham's birth info website very helpful for research: https://www.sarawickham.com/

Have a wonderful birth. x

[Batterseamummy]

Totally agree. Go through the process to keep them happy and then say at the end ‘after lots of consideration I’ve decided I would prefer a c section’. But just don’t bother arguing with them from the start, it will get their backs up. That’s what I did at C&W with my second and it worked but that was 12 years ago!

[Vblackbu]

I was given same advice in 2007 and went with VBAC. Worst decision I have made. I would not recommend as they did not consider baby size and my age. Took years to recover.

[99pctpractice]

Are you having your second at c&w or another hospital? If c&w, I’m really surprised to hear this because I had an elective c section for my first (at another hospital) and c&w didn’t question my preference to also have an elective for my second in July at all. A big part of my reason for choosing to have my second at c&w was because I had understood that they are supportive of maternal choice on this. Was it a midwife or a consultant who suggested you should have a VBAC? Maybe ask to speak with another (potentially more senior) midwife? They initially said I’d have to attend a BAC/VBAC midwife clinic before I could be booked in for a c section, but because I had to see a consultant anyway for other risk factors, in the end I didn’t even need to do that. Really hope you manage to get it sorted.

[missraphaella]

If you want an elective section you do not owe C&W, or any NHS institution, any explanation for your preference. It is your body and 100% your decision to do exactly what you feel comfortable with.

You need to dig your heels in & stick to your guns at every interaction you have during your pregnancy. If the question comes back up, continue to repeat exactly "I appreciate your input regarding my decision to have an elective section. I have decided I will be having one, and look forward to it being arranged so all discussions reflect that choice". Do not get drawn into any discussion about it.

I had a natural birth with my first, and two electives for my other two children. The natural birth (NHS) was a total disaster and resulted in my being injured and my eldest son having to be ventoused, mainly due to incompetence of the midwives. That is why I insisted on sections going forward and there never was any question about that, I simply dug my heels in. 

Do not let anyone try to change your mind. This is your life and the life of your family and your child here. Nothing else is more important. Do not let them try to bully you. 

[NVNV]

NICE is the body that oversees the NHS. Their C Section guidelines state:

1.2.29 If, after an informed discussion about the options for birth (including the offer of perinatal mental health support if appropriate; see recommendation 1.2.27), the woman or pregnant person requests a caesarean birth, support their choice. [2011, amended 2023]

The full link is here: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng192/ ... mendations

Different hospitals approach sections differently with some supporting women’s choices and some bringing their own propaganda to the table. Regardless, the body that oversees all NHS hospitals states that after proper discussion they should “support their [the mother’s] choice”. So as everyone else has said, listen and gather information but stick to your guns.

Whether you do that politely or not is up to you, but from experience, it makes no difference with some midwives who can’t put aside their own personal biases. So if any midwives do speak to you or treat you badly as a result of wanting a section please know it’s not personal, and brush it off. You won’t remember those midwives but you will remember the birth of your child and whether it was one you felt comfortable with and ready for.

[NVNV]

Also it helps if you go into any meetings armed with stats. There is a very unhelpful assumption that women want a section because they’re emotionally scared, not rationally making an informed choice.

I put together a 2 pager full of stats when I requested my first section, and the midwife said she could see I’d done my homework and stopped trying to convince me otherwise. Amy Tuteur was really helpful for that: https://www.skepticalob.com/

[GMPN]

Oh gosh this is completely your choice. Their role is to give you individualised information about the risks/benefits of each option, so you can make an informed decision. But having a c section or a VBAC is ultimately completely YOUR decision and don’t let anyone imply or tell you otherwise. Ask to speak with another clinician or the link obstetric consultant who has overall responsibility for your care if you are not happy. There really should be no issues here. Good luck!

[two of a kind]

Thank you all so much for your replies and for these very helpful stats NVN. I think that you are all right. I will go to my next meeting, listen but then state quite calmly my preference and if necessary that I know it is my choice (might save that part to save any prickly responses!) Amazingly helpful everyone, can't thank you enough xx