UK C-section

You can elect to have a c section, I’m almost certain they will not put you under general anaesthetic though. I don’t think it’s safe for you and the baby, but I may be wrong..Do you have a midwife? Have a chat with them. X

It is elective, to be honest my personal experience was fantastic, I was taken care of very well, very personal centred and will listen to your needs and wishes but I would highly doubt they’d put you under complete anaesthetic unless it was a need -as in a problem with your baby or you. It was the best thing I ever did choosing c section for my first and I would choose it again. Did you have a c section birth because you struggled with a vaginal start? That would also cause stress if that’s not what you had expected to happen and perhaps the complications were from that? I don’t know the full extent of what you went through but I do know you are well looked after here 🤍

I also had a really traumatic first birth so opted for an elective c-section for my second (UK). It was SO smooth and honestly a calm experience. The anesthetists are so nice and talk you through everything but honestly that part (inserting cannula and spinal) takes likes 5 minutes. Then they started and had my playlist playing the whole time. ‘Lion king’ moment when baby came out then got to hold her. Took her for a couple checks then right back on my chest till they finished up!

You can but I would say it’s a fairly rare request. If you’re certain that’s how you want to proceed then have a chat through with your midwife who can escalate to the relevant people. Have you considered therapy/ a debrief of your first birth to try and understand why it went wrong and that you could have a totally different experience the second time round and get to a better place whereby you may feel happier to stay awake and watch your baby be born? (Absolutely no judgement here, I too had a traumatic first birth so understand how frightening the idea of doing it all over again is). I hope you find a way to make peace and have a more positive second birth, whatever that looks like for you ❤️

Yea you can definitely choose to have a c section! I’m a student midwife and I have seen women request general anaesthetic for reasons/past trauma from a birth and it has been granted to them. Not sure if it depends on which hospital / trust but certainly in my trust they allow it X

I have had 2 elective c-sections that went well! I was awake for both of them, but I actually did get offered to be put under general anaesthetic because I was very anxious initially. I am so glad I didn't and pushed to be awake and using the spinal blockers etc. It was really a positive experience all round. The 2nd one was much better than the first too🥰

You should not feel guilty at all, it is your absolute right to have the healthy, safe second birth that you want! You can request an elective C-section and speak to your midwife about the process for that in your hospital trust. Explain that you had a traumatic experience with your first birth (perhaps even see if you can get the hospital notes from SA?) and it is your right as confirmed by NICE guidelines to choose this option. https://birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/right-to-a-c-section/#do You've had some excellent advice from working midwives and women who've had elective C sections above, listen to them and I genuinely hope that this birth is so much better for you ❤️

Each birth is different and as such it could be very healing for you. In the uk you cannot elect to go under GA as there are additional risks so only used in emergency situations. If you are a candidate for VBAC you could go down that route for a different birthing experience, I've heard many empowering stories.

I was given the choice of what I’d like to do, including general anaesthetic. So yes it’s absolutely something you can ask for.

I totally get it babe I’m very anxious about my second in May despite nothing even going wrong with my first, there’s nothing to feel guilty about! They take it very slowly, chat you through everything then give the spinal, lay you down and do a test with cold spray to make sure you can’t feel anything and then I didn’t even realise they had started when they had! I know some that have elected for GA and been approved in the UK and know from my own experience that the anaesthetist has the ability to put you under with gas if needed during the procedure if it gets too much, which is what happened to me during my keyhole heart surgery and gives me comfort for my next one! Just keep communicating how you’re feeling, I was actually looking up mortality rates (I have mad anxiety) and turns out getting a csection in the UK is one of the best places you can get one in the world so you’ll be in good hands!

Also (this is a comfort to me and hopefully will be to you) the three main risks are infection, too much bleeding and blood clotting. Well in the UK they automatically give you antibiotics throughout and after to prevent infection, have oxytocic injections to prevent haemorrhaging and clean blood transfusions if needed and you take blood thinning injections yourself after for a set amount of days to prevent clots, so you’re very covered!

I had my appointment with the anaesthetic team this week as having an elective c-section. They said you can choose either spinal or general. Obviously it also depends on your medical history as to what may be best for you. You also don’t need to make a decision until on the day so plenty of time to consider pros and cons. The consultant gave me this website as a resource to read up on which is really insightful to all options when having a c section. https://www.labourpains.org

I gave birth in UK through elective of my choice and went amazingly, I would personally do it again. I had a very positive experience. You can ask for one and they can't deny one even with no medical reason. Not sure about full anesthetic though. I had spinal and epidural for mine, was awake the whole time but didn't feel a thing (when I started to feel a bit of pain they increased the dosage and all went away right away), baby has been with me on my chest from birth onwards. My husband has been with me the whole time even in theatre, never left my side.

@Cara I completely agree and also had a fantastic experience! X