Planned C-Section NHS

[Dianne]

You are correct that it's your right to have one.
You just have to find someone that will say yes

Good luck! I hope you get your yes straight away! I know so many that have!

The way I saw it in the end was Csection is guaranteed major surgery. With a vaginal birth, there's still a big chance to be no issues at all.

Yeah I know what you mean. I suppose what would stress me is if I went through a long labour again, stuck on my back for 26 hours on the labour ward, to then have forceps, an episiotomy, to be told that isn’t working either so I need an emergency section. (Which was my first labour minus the c section but I was close to having it).

Everyone I know who’s had a baby had a short labour and a baby was pushed out at the end and they trotted off home taking pictures of the dad carrying the baby in a car seat. I know my labour won’t be unique, it’s just hard when I’ve mentioned it to other new mums and they can’t relate to my experience.

And to reply to another post about hypnobirthing, I just don’t know if I can override the anxiety in my brain. I had a panic attack at the beginning of labour and after the birth, and that’s something I feel embarrassed of . I don’t know why I couldn’t handle it. The second I had contractions I just couldn’t deal with it. But I will certainly look into a calmer approach is I’m sure it’s beneficial.

I know this wasn't my post but I just scheduled my section today & I appreciate all the positive comments. I know everyone is different but sometimes we do just hear the horror stories, it's easy to forget there are some really positive ones too .

Congratulations on booking in your section! Post here all you want - I’ve had lots of great replies to my initial questions now. Xx

 

[judgejohndeed]

Hi everyone, back again. I saw my midwife today and she referred me to a consultant to discuss a c-section. I suppose what stuck out to me was she said it was to see ‘IF’ I can have a c-section. In my head I was a bit like ‘I thought if I wanted one it was my right to have one?’, so I’ll do my research before the appointment.

Im pretty scared of both vaginal and c-section births to be honest. Is there a third option?! A stork?

Midwives as a profession are under fire fairly regularly at the moment for being overly pushy with natural birth. Focus on the discussion with the doctor.

Here is the relevant NICE guidance. It would be good to familiarise yourself with this: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng192
Essentially: NICE say that where a patient requests a c section and that request is an informed one, it should be respected. Particular doctors are under no obligation to provide a c section to you but if they refuse to do it then they should refer you to someone else who would be happy to provide the c section for you.

I would recommend reading as much as you can and showing in particular that you understand the risks of a c section as that's the part they're going to focus on when checking you're 'informed'. Best of luck.

 

[Emmelina Ball]

Hi everyone, back again. I saw my midwife today and she referred me to a consultant to discuss a c-section. I suppose what stuck out to me was she said it was to see ‘IF’ I can have a c-section. In my head I was a bit like ‘I thought if I wanted one it was my right to have one?’, so I’ll do my research before the appointment.

Im pretty scared of both vaginal and c-section births to be honest. Is there a third option?! A stork?

It’s totally up to you what way you birth, don’t ask as such, just tell them you have decided you’ll have a section this time. They have no power to decline your choice! It is your right!

I would also really recommend (if you haven’t already) for you to discuss your previous birth trauma with the midwives -if you contact the hospital you’re attached to they should have a team where a midwife can meet with you, theyll have your maternity records etc to debrief what happened during your last birth and go through it all to see how things happened as they did, why certain things happened and you can ask any questions in a safe and non judgemental way to try and help recovery of it, it may really benefit you before you do birth your next baby

Wishing you a more positive birth experience this time Xxx

 

[Sailorontheseasea]

Yeah I know what you mean. I suppose what would stress me is if I went through a long labour again, stuck on my back for 26 hours on the labour ward, to then have forceps, an episiotomy, to be told that isn’t working either so I need an emergency section. (Which was my first labour minus the c section but I was close to having it).

Everyone I know who’s had a baby had a short labour and a baby was pushed out at the end and they trotted off home taking pictures of the dad carrying the baby in a car seat. I know my labour won’t be unique, it’s just hard when I’ve mentioned it to other new mums and they can’t relate to my experience.

And to reply to another post about hypnobirthing, I just don’t know if I can override the anxiety in my brain. I had a panic attack at the beginning of labour and after the birth, and that’s something I feel embarrassed of . I don’t know why I couldn’t handle it. The second I had contractions I just couldn’t deal with it. But I will certainly look into a calmer approach is I’m sure it’s beneficial.




Congratulations on booking in your section! Post here all you want - I’ve had lots of great replies to my initial questions now. Xx

I had PTSD and subsequent pnd + anxiety following my first birth so I totally get the not being able to calm your anxiety with anything. I found the hypnobirthing techniques I learned for my first (not so great) birth beneficial even pre and during my elective sections. Breathing techniques generally are brilliant for keeping focus, knowing that part of your birth will be over by the end of the next breath and calming yourself when you feel like you want to run a mile - the extra oxygen circulating your body with a deep breath does wonders for keeping your nerves down! Never feel embarrassed or ashamed about any of it. Birth trauma is very real and very debilitating, don’t let anyone tell you differently. I really hope your next birth begins a healing process for you. Xx

 

[Rocket Queen]

Hi. I had a planned C section because for the last few weeks of pregnancy my blood pressure was all over the place. I was absolutely terrified both ways too. The section was quick. Got there at 8am and she was born at 11.31am. 2 nights in hospital. A couple of weeks proper recovery then I was out and about. So pleased I had a section. Birth trauma is absolutely awful. I spent 9 months in utter terror too but the section was better than I thought. Good luck and hope all goes well xxxx

 

[Hinchhater1442]

I’m not even pregnant yet I’m almost certain I want a c-section when I’m lucky enough to give birth. I don’t have any anxiety or traumas, I just have a weird fear of it, but I’ve read the NICE guidance and I think I know my rights. I’m just nervous that a pushy consultant will bully it out of me, I’m a bit too soft to stand my ground

 

[judgejohndeed]

I’m not even pregnant yet I’m almost certain I want a c-section when I’m lucky enough to give birth. I don’t have any anxiety or traumas, I just have a weird fear of it, but I’ve read the NICE guidance and I think I know my rights. I’m just nervous that a pushy consultant will bully it out of me, I’m a bit too soft to stand my ground

The NICE guidance says you should be offered counselling if you have a fear of birth but you don’t have to take it up and you can still have a c section without it again make sure you’re informed and can show understand the risks for when you’re asked

 

[WhatABore]

I’m not even pregnant yet I’m almost certain I want a c-section when I’m lucky enough to give birth. I don’t have any anxiety or traumas, I just have a weird fear of it, but I’ve read the NICE guidance and I think I know my rights. I’m just nervous that a pushy consultant will bully it out of me, I’m a bit too soft to stand my ground

This is what happened with me.
I had birth trauma from my second and was absolutely terrified of giving birth again. We wanted another one close in age but I just couldn't do it.

My first consultant refused my csection request. And I ended up in tears. She was horrible. She sent me back out into the waiting room because I was upset and she'd come find me in a bit
Went for a second opinion and he was going to say no too. And I just couldn't fight it and stand up for myself in what I wanted

Yeah I know what you mean. I suppose what would stress me is if I went through a long labour again, stuck on my back for 26 hours on the labour ward, to then have forceps, an episiotomy, to be told that isn’t working either so I need an emergency section. (Which was my first labour minus the c section but I was close to having it).

Everyone I know who’s had a baby had a short labour and a baby was pushed out at the end and they trotted off home taking pictures of the dad carrying the baby in a car seat. I know my labour won’t be unique, it’s just hard when I’ve mentioned it to other new mums and they can’t relate to my experience.

And to reply to another post about hypnobirthing, I just don’t know if I can override the anxiety in my brain. I had a panic attack at the beginning of labour and after the birth, and that’s something I feel embarrassed of . I don’t know why I couldn’t handle it. The second I had contractions I just couldn’t deal with it. But I will certainly look into a calmer approach is I’m sure it’s beneficial.




Congratulations on booking in your section! Post here all you want - I’ve had lots of great replies to my initial questions now. Xx

I completely get it.
I had a 4c tear with my second and bad hemorrhage. So I was absolutely terrified of it happening again.
No 2 births are the same though.

As long as you make sure you read all the pros and cons and are able to relay that back to them and show you are aware, and that you aren't classed as high risk, you should be accepted no problem

 

[maytoseptember]

I requested an elective section for my second - and last - child due to a birth injury and trauma with the first. The consultant obviously tried to talk me out of it but I was firm.

It was a fantastic experience. Healed so well (quicker than the vaginal birth) and no complications at all.

 

[HoGi]

My local trust include a leaflet with your notes etc that states that they will not do elective c sections where there is no need. I have sent the NICE guidelines to a couple of friends thanks to this thread. Hopefully the trust will listen.

ETA it states where there is no medical need

 

[Bugger.lugs]

Hello,

Has anyone here had a planned C-section with the NHS? Can anyone have one or do you have to meet certain criteria?

What was your experience with a planned section?

In general, what is the recovery period like?

How long did you and baby have to stay in hospital afterwards? What was your care like?

Thanks!! Xxxx

I had one due to previous emergency csection...pretry sure you have to have criteria to get one.

I got to hospital 7am and had surgery at 10am, 10th of month. Left hospital the evening the day after with baby on 11th of the month.

Planned was beautiful, chatty doctors as surgeons, music in background. Not in a rush. Much better than emergency.

Recovery was quick, about 2 weeks for no pain, 3 weeks to feel normal and swelling to be gone. Stay on top of pain meds even if you feel ok. Just take the prescription worth. And walk often or you'll seize up and that will cause pain.

Pray you don't sneeze or cough for about 6 weeks.

 

[Somerset girl]

Midwives as a profession are under fire fairly regularly at the moment for being overly pushy with natural birth. Focus on the discussion with the doctor.

Here is the relevant NICE guidance. It would be good to familiarise yourself with this: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng192
Essentially: NICE say that where a patient requests a c section and that request is an informed one, it should be respected. Particular doctors are under no obligation to provide a c section to you but if they refuse to do it then they should refer you to someone else who would be happy to provide the c section for you.

I would recommend reading as much as you can and showing in particular that you understand the risks of a c section as that's the part they're going to focus on when checking you're 'informed'. Best of luck.

I'd also recommend the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists for research.

Considering a caesarean birth patient information leaflet | RCOG

This information is for you if you are considering a planned (elective) caesarean birth for your baby. It may also be helpful if you are a partner, relative or friend of someone who is considering a caesarean birth.

www.rcog.org.uk

 

[taurus_gal]

My local trust include a leaflet with your notes etc that states that they will not do elective c sections where there is no need. I have sent the NICE guidelines to a couple of friends thanks to this thread. Hopefully the trust will listen.

ETA it states where there is no medical need

Hi there, my trust also included this leaflet with my notes, but I stood my ground & quoted the NICE guidelines & there’s absolutely nothing they can do. They make you jump through hoops, have various meetings with the obstetrician etc, but you just have to stay confident in your decision & not be pushed to give in (a c section costs the NHS a lot more than a vaginal birth, which is why they hate agreeing to it) but it’s your right, should you want to birth that way. I chose elective section & it was the best decision ever, I don’t regret it one bit & I will 100% do it again if I’m lucky enough to have another baby in future

 

[Blair-Waldorf]

Hi @Dianne just wondering if you have an update? I’m having an elective section after a traumatic first birth and a few other risk factors in 4 weeks so loving these positive stories

 

[taurus_gal]

Hi @Dianne just wondering if you have an update? I’m having an elective section after a traumatic first birth and a few other risk factors in 4 weeks so loving these positive stories

Just to ease your mind a bit, because c sections get such a bad reputation about recovery, and blah blah.. but if your having an elective section it’ll be a lovely experience for you. You’ll be looked after from start to finish, and the recovery isn’t as bad as people like to make out (emergency sections can be traumatic & recovery is apparently harder) but elective ones are smoother as there’s no rush etc. i scoured the internet for positive stories & watched a million YouTube videos before my section, and I’m so glad I went with my gut, I don’t regret it one bit, I was home 24 hours later

 

[Dianne]

Hi @Dianne just wondering if you have an update? I’m having an elective section after a traumatic first birth and a few other risk factors in 4 weeks so loving these positive stories

Hi, I don’t have a consultant appointment until early January to discuss the possibility of a section. I worry that she’ll say no if my pregnancy is going well etc. , or that my reasoning for wanting one isn’t ‘traumatic’ enough.

When is your section booked in for? X

 

[maytoseptember]

Just to ease your mind a bit, because c sections get such a bad reputation about recovery, and blah blah.. but if your having an elective section it’ll be a lovely experience for you. You’ll be looked after from start to finish, and the recovery isn’t as bad as people like to make out (emergency sections can be traumatic & recovery is apparently harder) but elective ones are smoother as there’s no rush etc.

I totally agree. The NCT / natural birth proponents talk SO MUCH about c sections being major abdominal surgery (which it is, not disputing that) it’s like a mantra you hear from all sides.

Guess what? Natural birth is a traumatic process for your body to go through as well, but no one talks about all the problems and complications you can have during and after (especially after).

It’s very disingenuous. Women should be allowed to make an informed choice. And I hate the way the cost is mentioned. The NHS is so mismanaged - if it was managed better, no one would be worried about the extra costs incurred by so-called too posh to push women asking for elective sections.

 

[judgejohndeed]

Guess what? Natural birth is a traumatic process for your body to go through as well, but no one talks about all the problems and complications you can have during and after (especially after).

Every time I've said to a midwife 'natural birth has risks too'...if looks could kill! I guess now we just have to pretend there aren't any? Yeah, natural birth is fine when everything goes smoothly...and what about when it doesn't? I'm not intending to ever have children but I deal with a lot of professionals through work and I would go for a c section every time, I feel like a lot of them are an outright danger to women with the way they will push and push and push all this 'natural' stuff and at what cost. Makes you wonder how they respond if a birthing woman is having difficulties, you only need to read Nadine Montgomery's story for it to put you off tbh.

 

[saltandvinegarcrisps]

I had an elective c section for my first and only birth, would 100% choose that again if we have another. I had a great experience in the theatre, baby went into neonatal for less than 24 hours due to grunting so they wanted to monitor him and he received antibiotics as I'd tested positive for strep b on a swab (mid wives asked me if I had any thrush and said would be best to send away swab as they would check for other things too)

I requested a c section quite early on , they made an appointment with consultant around 32 weeks, midwife told me it was safest way for baby to be born but riskier on the mum. Which I was okay with. Consultant I seen gave me all the risks and tried to put me off , risk of hysterectomy, cutting into my bladder etc, accepted that and he booked me in again,

By my second consultant appointment my SPD / PGP was quite bad and I was waddling very slowly to the consultant room. The consultant and medical student (females) I seen that time were much more sympathetic and supportive. Booked me in and I had my pre op appt and got my date. You definitely need to advocate for yourself if that's the route of birth you want. I gave various reasons , like fear of baby getting stuck, fear of brain damage, fear of long labour and emergency section, my partner works abroad so wanted to be sure he would be in the country too. Basically for every risk I had a potential benefit.

My recovery was quick and easy, I was off all pain management within a week of section and out for a walk 5 days later after spending less than 48 hours in hospital. I spoke to other new mums who had horrific experiences of natural birth and pain with rips, tears and episiotomy healing, as my mum had with her first birth which had put me off child birth since I can remember. Was overall happy with my experience and recovery.

 

[Tired of this crap]

I’m on day 2 post elective section.
The actual c section was good - calm atmosphere, lovely staff. I felt very chilled once they got the baby out and abit sort of floaty but in a nice way.

I’m struggling a lot with pain now though and finding it harder than I thought I would trying to look after a baby on top of being in pain when I just want to rest. Hopefully that will get better soon

I did struggle with pain after my first (vaginal) birth too which involved assistance/episiotomy etc. Recovery took a long time after that birth tbf.

I don’t think I’m very good at giving birth basically