Elective c-section - 2nd pregnancy Post Reply

[edam]

Hi ladies

Wanted to ask a bit of advice / hear about your experiences regarding elective c-sections.
I had my first baby April 2011 at St Thomas' - had a long arduous labour (started 6am Saturday and gave birth at 4pm Monday), had three failed epidurals, took another 8 hours to dilate on hormone drip, pushed for almost 2 hours, then ended up with c-section (after refusing forceps and ventouse).
My second baby is due in October - I don't want to go through it again, feeling so anxious about the birth already. I know what to expect from c-section and want another one.

I've been told that women are now being forced to try natural birth even after c-section due to NHS cuts...
I have an appointment with consultant obstetrician next week and wanted to know what to expect. Can anyone tell me what happens during the appointment?
I also have a VBAC appointment the following week - I think this is midwife led and they just try to talk you into it?
Is there anyway they will agree to me having elective c-section? How can I convince them of the stress its causing me thinking about going through the same again?

Any advice MUCH appreciated! thanks in advance x

[2009Kat]

Hi there, can't help re the consultant but the VBAC appointment is with the consultant midwife. I was allocated an hour for the appointment which was longer than I had ever had with any antenatal midwife. Despite my nightmare with no1, I really wanted a VBAC with no 2 so wasn't a hard sell. I did get the impression that the midwife was strongly "encouraging" VBAC. She was very sympathetic and it was a good opportunity to download re birth 1. She told me they would consider elective csection if I had some sort of pyschiatric need so perhaps you just need to show your distress and hope that helps!
Good luck with it all and hope you get what you want

[EmmaVictoriaID]

Thank you for posting on this, sorry I can't offer any help but I'm interested to hear how you get on. I had my first baby last July by elective C-section as he was breech and could not be turned. I've got to say it was pretty much stress-free and am thinking I'd consider doing it again, obviously this was before I read this thread, as I thought they encouraged another c-section due to the "risk" of scar tissue rupture, I wish they'd make their minds up!!

If there are any health professionals associated with St George's, can someone let us know, if we are to be encouraged to have a VBAC, can we use the pool?! This, I must admit is one of the main reasons I'm not wanting a natural birth because I couldn't have the birth I wanted anyway (not that in many cases you can anyway but it'd be nice to know it's an option).

Let us know how you get on at the appointments and if you get the hard sell... good luck! x

[suziQ]

Hi there,

I decided to have an elective C section with my second baby after a traumatic labour with number 1 ended in a C section. I saw an amazing obstetrician at St. George's who did try and sell the VBAC idea to me. However she listened to my concerns and didn't in any way try to force it.

My elective C section was a very peaceful and lovely experience compared to my first delivery. There is teeny tiny part of me that v slightly regrets not trying the VBAC because ultimately to have a natural delivery is such a wonderful thing. That said, I do think I made the right decision for me.

Once you have had a C section, absolutely no-one can make you have a VBAC because of the potential risks. Remember this when you see your consultant. In my experience the dr's tend to be a bit more accommodating than midwives regarding choosing to have a section.

Good luck next week! Let us know how you get on.

[sparkletiger]

Have you thought about a doula? I had an emergency section as first was undiagnosed breech. I really wanted a natural birth second time (& 1st) but she was breech too so had elective.

Both at st Thomas's. I don't think you'd be forced into VBAC but it may be worth talking it over. I employed a doula to help with it all and as a back up buddy as we don't have family close by and he needed to look after our other daughter but as baby was breech I wasn't left with many options so couldn't use her.

Can totally understand why you're worried but always good to have the info and get support to help you through whatever you decide

Good luck

[edam]

Thanks so much for the replies so far. Would love to hear more...

I agree that VBAC should be considered and will listen to what they have to say but I really believe I tried everything with my first. Paid hideous amount for a hypnobirthing (as well as NCT), did birthing yoga etc and was determind to have a natural drug free birth..

Unfortunately my baby was back-to-back and never engaged past 3/5ths. By the time she arrived I was so physically exhausted and in so much pain I was prescribed morphine and on maternity ward 4 nights. I just don't want to risk going through it again, for myself or my baby.

[lalectrice]

A friend of mine has just had an elective section for her first baby, purely because she was so frightened (to phobic levels, she says) of giving birth vaginally. The consultant agreed, no problem, and she was not pressurised at all to try a vaginal birth. The law has just changed anyway, so that women are entitled to en elective section regardless of medical opinion, so you have every right to go into your appointment and ask for the procedure with confidence! Good luck.

[edam]

just bumping this post in case anyone else has experience to share, really grateful for replies...

[AbbevilleMummy]

I had an elective c-section in October with my 2nd child at St Thomas'.

My first child was delivered via the normal route! However, it was a horrible delivery which caused quite a bit of damage.

Due to this I was referred to a consultant, asked for an elective c-section and my consultant agreed straight away. I was not pressured into anything else by either the consultant or midwives.

It was all very straight forward and I had an amazing time. Highly recommend elective c's!!

[Batterseamummy]

I had an emergency c sec with my first and was very keen for an elective with my second. I 'listened' to the midwives when they tried to sell the vbac idea to me and even went to the vbac workshop (none of which persuaded me at all!) just to keep them happy and after that I then said I still wanted an elective so they booked me a consultant appointment and all was fine from then onwards, Consultants are the fully medically trained ones so I'd always listen to them over a midwife anyway! However this was at C&W where they are renowned for their csecs (highest rate in Europe!) but I can't imagine you'll have a problem. Just pretend to consider the vbac option to the midwives and then once you can see a consultant you can push for the csec! Good luck. Oh, and the elec csec was a dream. Such a calm happy experience, quick recovery and all intact below!

[edam]

Thanks again to everyone who replied, just wanted to post an update (albeit slightly delayed)...

My appointment with the consultant obstetrician went well, I talked him through my experience and he said he would happily book me in for the elective.

I do however have to go through the full process, including VBAC appointment with midwife and if I still want elective C, referral to psychiatric consultant for an assessment, then back to the original consultant, before they schedule the procedure...

Seems a bit long winded but anxiety starting to ease. Hope this helps anyone in the same situation! x

[edam]

...and another update I felt inclined to leave.

I had my VBAC appointment today and it was just awful. The consultant midwife was a complete cow, extremely patronising and basically made me feel like a pathetic, petulant child

Maybe I'm just super sensitive but unfortunately my pregnancy hormones got the better of me and within minutes I was blubbing (MW not so much as batted an eye, let alone offer me a tissue). She just kept insisting VBAC would be my birth plan - trying to scare me with detail about the very small risks of c-setions like hysterectomy etc.

It was quite a stand-off which went on for an hour and in the end, I said I had to go back to work and asked to be referred back to the cons. obst. I had seen before. She was extremely annoyed by this and I had to sit there awkwardly for 10 minutes whilst she huffed and puffed her way through writing up my notes. I felt quite traumatised and returned to work a complete mess.

I hope that will be the hardest part but fear I have a few more battles before a hopeful happy ending.

Really hope this helps anyone going through the same process to be prepared - wish I had been a bit more today!

[NYE31]

OMG you poor thing. That sounds hideous. I had to have an elective c section as my son was breech. I have considered what to do if I can have another & most of the advice points to a 2nd c section. I am really concerned by what you have come up against. I think I would try & go for C & W again.

Good luck & take care. Please let us know how you get on xx

[CitySlicker]

Edem, why don't you make a complaint? You shouldn't have to stand for that sort of treatment. Do you mind me asking what hospital that was?
Try not to stress too much about midwives, they're all overworked, underpaid and many want to force you to have a natural delivery and abhor women who they see as too posh to push. Ignore them and demand to see a doctor. Most of the women I know have had elective sections, so much less stress. Yes it's a serious operation but imo it's virtually pain free and no distress for the baby vs the horror (personal opinion!) of natural labour. Just look at One Born Every Minute and you'd be completely put off.
Just a view, know not everyone would agree with me. Stand your ground, no one can force you to have a natural birth if you don't want one.

[edam]

Thanks for the support ladies, it means a lot. A few people have suggested I make a complaint so I might do so, I'm still completely shocked by her attitude.

I am at St. Thomas' and apart from the midwife I saw yesterday, I cannot speak more highly the hospital, that is despite my horrible labour and 3 failed epidurals!...

I should be seeing the consultant obstetrician again at the end July so I'll post a status update then!

Once again hope this helps anyone else going through the same or may do in the future!