I'd like an elective C section, how and who do I speak to to make this happen?

Are you consultant led already? If so have the conversation at your next appointment. I think you have enough reasons there but do bear in mind the recovery can be rough if you’re needing to look after your other kids straight after I was basically useless for the first 10 days

Yes apparently but I've only seen midwives so far? X

If you mention it to your midwife they should be able to refer you to the correct people. I had to have a couple appointments with different people basically explaining all the risks etc so I can make an informed decision. Ultimately it’s your decision as it’s your body whether you have a medical reason for it or not

You don’t need a reason. If you want to have one legally, thankfully, they have to give it to you. It’s now just down to maternal choice. Just mention it at your next midwife appointment or to the consultant if you are seeing one. I’m 43 as well, pregnant with my second and under consultant supervision. They don’t book electives in, generally, till week 36, so you have a long time to make the case if you decide it’s for you! I had an elective with my first, was up the same night, never went back to bed, was going for walks in a few days and life pretty much resumed as normal. So it’s absolutely also not a given that you’ll be any more incapacitated having a c-section than you would a vaginal birth. Good luck with it!

I chose an elective and had no medical reasons for it, I was approved on the spot by a female obstetrician who was also having an elective voluntarily (plus my midwife had electives). You don’t even need a reason. In the UK under NICE guidelines, you have the legal right to choose your birth method and if they cannot accommodate you they refer you to someone who can. You can be sterilised in theatre, it’s an option many take. Happy to answer any questions on the elective and recovery, I loved mine and recovered very well xx

Thank you all so much what a positive response, I wasn't expecting that! OK I will start making my preference known xx

Mention it to your midwife when you next see her ☺️ I told my midwife at my booking appointment x

Mention it to your midwife but if you’re consultant lead already when you see them (I think I first saw mine around 24/26 weeks) just tell them what you want, it’s your legal right to choose how you give birth and regardless of their personal opinion they won’t or certainly they shouldn’t try and sway you either way. It’s not an unusual request to be sterilised during a C-section and is easily included in the procedure. Please don’t be nervous to ask for a c-section, I loved my elective and I found all my midwives and consultants were really supportive and no one made me feel like I should be doing it another way xx

@Kara You can mention it to your midwife then you get an automatic referral to the consultant to go through the process with you. You don’t really need a medical reason anymore, it’s more what your preference is and tbh sounds like you have more than enough valid points for a c section xx

I’m 30 weeks, told my midwife last week I wanted a maternal request C-Section. Got an appointment to see a consultant in 5 weeks. Midwife was surprisingly not at all disparaging, supported my choice.

I am currently 38w6d, and because of slow fetal growth they have booke me in for an induction for 39w5d. We had a conversation with my husband that induction might not be the way to go, I would prefer an elective c-section. I have spoken to the modwife about it and their words were "your birth, your choice, we cannot sway you in either way and can't advise you." On my next scan I need to speak with the consultant and it should all go smoothly. I'm so happy they were so supportive and understanding of my fears, I hope you will have the same experience 🥰

Thank you all, it sounds so easy I hope my medical team will make it the same xx

@Katie let me know how you get on please x

@Kata do let me know how you get on please x

@Kara Hi Kara!! Well... it turned out I should have told them earlier, as they only do elective c-sections on certain days, however they were nice about it and have booked me in for Friday the 3rd May, which would have been my induction date. The only "down side" was that I didn't have an exact time. I had to spend the whole day in Hospital waiting when the theatre opens up. On the 3rd from 4 am I started to have contractions, so little girl wanted to come out either way 🤣 we went in to the hospital, I was having regular contractions and by the early afternoon I was dialated 3-4 cm... they did ask me if I have changed my mind about the c section... I said no, and at 2.01 pm my little girl was born. She is actually 3620 gramms sooo slow fetal growth... I don't think so 🤣 I am now 5 days post op and I have not regretted the c-section for a minute. Make sure you have enough support post section 🥰🥰🥰🥰