Elective c section

It’s maternal right. If your Dr refuses - they need to find another one https://birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/right-to-a-c-section/#do

Can I ask why you want this? Recovery times are much longer for C Section deliveries, as it is MAJOR surgery and IMO, shouldn't be done unless medically necessary. I know women who have problems for months afterwards, it's not the easier option some women think it is. I've had 3 vaginal births, my 3rd being a 9lb 9oz baby, and all 3 were absolutely fine with fast recovery times. If you have fears/concerns over natural birth I'd suggest you talk to your midwife first before deciding on surgery.

I’d also suggest hypnobirthing if you have any fears. As have been told even with elective c section there’s a chance you could go into labour before that date and still have a vaginal birth.

I had an elective c section 9 days ago at 38 weeks and so far the healing is very good. In the UK you gave the right to make this selection. Please DM me if you want more info etc - happy to answer any Q's etc!

@Ami I was told that if you went into labour before the booked c section you could usually still opt for c section depending how far you are in labour e.g. if you are 8cm dilated you might opt to try vaginal birth. Hypnobirthing/relaxation techniques definitely useful for a C-section too,I agree - it's a slightly bizarre but v professional experience (at least none was as someone who has never had surgery before).

I had an elective through my own choice in November. You are not allowed to be refused if its really want you want. Mine was amazing and because we knew the date we were super prepared for before and after.

@Rebecca I don’t think this is appropriate to comment and question a woman on how she wants to give birth. There can be a number of reasons people choose to have a section over vaginal delivery. Everyone is entitled to the option as it’s their body going through it. Not very fair to say “I know women who had problems for months” this isn’t only the case with c sections. Plenty of vaginal births lead to emergency sections anyway which are a lot harder to recover from than elective.

@Amy couldn’t have said it better myself!

@Anna I’m tired of people questioning why people have elective c sections or trying to put them off. I had an elective section 8 weeks ago and I’ve recovered brilliantly. I don’t regret anything about my section x

My elective recovery was wonderful btw.

@Sally ah ok, I wasn’t aware you f the specifics and yeah good point I’ve been told how useful it is also for people that have elective c sections.

@Amy i don't think it's inappropriate at all, quite the opposite! A midwife or health professional would question why a woman would opt for major surgery over natural delivery, as overall vaginal delivery IS safer with less complications!

I'm due in June with my second and opting for an elective C-section this time. I had my first vaginally, and due to previous trauma and very nearly needing an emergency C-section, I'm not willing to put myself through a natural labour again. I'd definitely say mention it as soon as you can to your midwife

There are different risks to both and it’s personal choice what some one chooses. I do think which ever choice it’s important to educate ourselves on those risks an challenges to you and the baby

I had an elective for maternal choice in November and loved it. I just mentioned it to my midwife at all appointments. Booked to see a Dr at 26 weeks who went through all the risks (it can sound like they’re trying to put you off but they just have to be sure you’re aware) go into this educated and with any questions. Then saw my consultant at 36 weeks who said, do you still want one? i said yes, and he got his diary out 😂 that was that. I didn’t really encounter anyone being difficult about it. However it is completely your choice and just keep pushing if it’s what you want x

@Rebecca I had a section. Recovery was absolutely fine. Was up walking a few hours later as baby needed care in NICU. Think every women has the right to decide on what birth they want and the point of the appointments with the consultant are to go through the risks. Vaginal births also carries risks. I’ve seen women suffering months later from vaginal births with tears, inflections. Baby needs to come out one way or another and it’s a woman’s decision how that happens

@Lauren I'm sure it was fine, but i was driving my son to school the next morning which you absolutely cannot do after a section! Regardless of whether you recovered well, it is still major surgery

@Rebecca I think anyone picking a c section knows it’s major surgery though. Still a personal decision which women are entitled too.

@Rebecca most people would have someone around able to drive them the very next day, some people can’t even drive. That’s not the be all and end all. Also, luckily for OP this is her first baby, so nobody to drive to school at all 😀

I come from a long line of obs and gynae consultants and they absolutely can refuse as if based on their professional opinion it’s not necessary and you can push because it is a major surgery. Because of the number of children born every second, women forget that c-sections involve entering the abdominal cavity which can go left very quickly for numerous reasons. They cannot refuse your personal want but they can refuse to operate, but they have to refer you to someone else who can also refuse and then you’re caught in a long trail of documented refusals. God forbid if anything goes wrong, that can work against your case. Thankfully in the U.K., it’s rare if referred to another surgeon they will refuse however, take into consideration the risks and the fact that you can have to change hospital last min if there’s no available consultant(current nhs pressures) you can also get your appt pushed back multiple times even though you have a day planned. Xo

Have you discussed with your midwife? I was so nervous to bring it up with mine but she was so lovely and listened to my worries for labour. I have a really bad pain threshold and so nervous about labouring! Also both my sisters had traumatic experiences with emergency c section and id just rather avoid an emergency section and have more control before going into labour. She said she would advocate for me and refer me to another consultant if one said no. Deffo worth speaking about if you haven’t already. My situation is slightly different as i’m now diabetic and baby is breech so elective section works in my favour but just remember it’s your baby and your birth - it’s your decision at the end of the day!

@Rebecca your someone who’s never had a c section. Coming from me, and many other women who have. I was never once questioned on my choice. I was told all the way through my choice is supported. Not always, if something goes wrong during a vaginal delivery, your rushed to theatre to unprepared staff. If something goes wrong during elective c section you are already in the best place possible for it to be handled

@Rebecca I don’t think anyone while base their choice of childbirth on weather they can drive to school. I know people who had teared during vaginal birth and couldn’t sit down for weeks because of it. Everyone’s birth experience and recovery is different

I had an elective on January and it was an amazing experience, so calm and organised. Took away a lot of the anxiety I had around birth and I don’t regret my decision at all x

That's not true at all. You can ask for one and they have to give it. They may ask a reason. Mine was a tick box exercise

I don’t think Rebecca meant any harm by what she said. I actually think vaginal birth is the healthiest for me and my baby. We are all different and I think Rebecca like everyone else is just trying to help.

@Ami i literally went through the thread a few times trying to figure out what she said that was wrong lmao 😂 thank you for speaking up for her xxx

Had an emergency c section and waiting for my elective c section, unless she comes before it will be an emergency c section. They can’t refuse you how you want to birth a child. I absolutely loved my first c section. Everyone is different though. My recovery was brilliant. Not sure if the same will happen second time round, but a section is what I want x

Just wanted to say a massive thank you for all your comments recommendations and sharing experiences it’s been so great to read them all! I don’t have any friends or family who have had children recently ect to speak to so find this group so helpful! Thanks ladies, I’m going to consider my options but the main reason I am leaning towards elective is due to the fact I have some very large fibroids on my uterus and I am desperately trying to avoid having to have an emergency Situation! Xxxx

@Olivia thank you for this. I didn't see what I said wrong either, I was simply stating facts and promoting natural birth, which is what the NHS would do anyway!

@Ami exactly! A natural birth is so empowering, and the recovery (for most women) IS easier and quicker, that is just a fact!

@Rebecca giving birth is empowering full stop. Let’s not only limit it to being empowering if it’s a vaginal birth…

@Rebecca you’ve never had a c section so you can’t exactly comment. Giving birth is empowering full stop. C section is not the easy way out

@Rebecca I think your comment rightly so has annoyed people. The poster asked for experiences of asking for a c section. Not to be told a vaginal birth is empowering and to be asked her reasons for wanting a c section on a public platform. Can’t we just let women decide for themselves not talk to them like their silly. Let medical professionals give the advice out not people who have only experienced one type of birth trying to push their views out