Elective C-section Scotland (DGRI)

[sethsmummy]

Ok ladies i am under care of Cresswell maternity which is part of Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. I have a midwife appointment today and am seriously thinking about asking whether i would be allowed an elective section. And wondered if any of you ladies knew whether it would likely be agreed upon.

my reason for wanting one is not because i simply dont want to push my baby out... I am actually terrified of going through labor again. At first i was thinking i want all natural birth but the closer it gets the more scared i get.

with my first son i was under the care of a hospital in cumbria and lets just say my care was shocking from start to finish! I was not informed that i had strep B until i asked what a yellow sticker meant at 39 weeks and was only informed then that my home birth could not go ahead. I was also not informed till a year later that i had had pre-eclampsia!

I was induced with him at 40+5, midwifes didn't listen to me when i said i had started getting contractions.. which fair enough it was the very early stages of labour but it would have been nice for one of them to actually listen. The next day my waters were broken at 9:30am. I wasn't given any information at all at any point during my labor. I was attatched to a fetal moniter through 90% of my labor meaning I could not get off the bed and had to be laid on my back throughout, that was eventually taken off and they tried to clip one to babys head which failed. After around 5 hours i asked for an epidural as i was getting excrutating pain in my back,(anesthetist came 2 hours later) well that failed and went terribly wrong and i ended up with severe cramp down both legs with each and every contraction. During these stages of labor the midwives were coming in and out all the time, inserting a catheter and then taking it back out again trying to make me pee when they thought i needed it! I also had a lot (around 5 at least) different people sticking their damn fingers up my foof trying to see "how I was progressing" right throughout labor and some were in there for a good 5 minutes or so. I was told to shut up when telling one man to remove his hand while i had a contraction as the pain was unbearable.
After so long a nice midwife removed the epidural iv as it wasnt working so i could maybe move round a little on the bed (was still constantly hooked upto the iv for my anti-biotics) and i managed to get onto all 4s on the bed... I started pushing and midwife told me to just go with it. At 7:30pm i had made no progress pushing him out and it was finally decided to take me down so theatre for an assisted delivery. After a lot more people poking around... having the catheter inserted yet again... i was finally taken down at around 8:15pm. When i got into theatre i was given a spinal... which was great it worked BUT it stopped my contractions! They gave me something else to try start them up again but it didn't work. So que them trying to pull my son out using vontouse... this failed. So still with no contractions they turned to foreceps.... 8:52pm he was born via the foreceps.. he was rushed straight out of the room without me even getting a little peek at him. They stitched me up and my husband went with baby upto NICU. Turns out they had cut his head during the delivery!! I was taken upto a ward and left.. 2 really grumpy midwives came in and changed pads etc. my husband was made to leave at around 10:30/11pm. My son was brought to my room by NICU nurse at 12:30am but the midwives hardly helped me at all so all i could do was touch him with the end of my finger. Eventually she came and placed him beside me.. then tried to force him to breast feed while i was laid down.. she refused to help me sit up. Then she took him off me again after 5 mins and put him bk in the cot... again did the same thing 20 mins later and then told me she was taking him away. I didnt get to see him until i asked for him at 8:30am! He was a mess, his head was black and blue especially where the suction cup had been attached and he was cut and bruised from the forceps.
We went home 2 days later with him needing blood tests every day to check billi rubin levels. That time was horrendous too but thats nothing to do with why i want a c section so ill leave that out.
It took me over a year to heal from the delivery... I got shooting pains up my vagina (and still do sometimes now 3 years later). I couldnt get intimate with my husband as the pain was unbearable. Turns out i had a flap of skin inside where they had stitched me up and caught it that was getting inflamed and sore and had to be burned off.

So this time i am terrified of this happening again. I know fine well that a section is not the easy way out and has its own set of things that could go wrong. BUT i feel that recovering from a section will be quicker than what i had to go through last time! And also i will hopefully not have all the emotional scarring which my first birth caused me. It took me a few weeks to bond properly with my son because of how things had gone.. i just didnt feel like he was mine. And i was so distraught at how i had been treated and also how he had been treated.

anybody any help? Especially advice if you have used this hospital too! Or are in Scotland xxx

 

[sethsmummy]

anybody? only 2 and a half hours till i leave for midwife and would love some advice x

 

[disneybride]

I'm not in Scotland (so not sure if your system is different), but I did have a very similar traumatic first birth, that ended with forceps delivery with no pain relief. I too was in pain for over a year, and my episiotomy scar still hurts 2.5 years on.

I was so traumatised by what I went through that I was offered counselling by one of the hospital's consultant obstetricians. She offered to work with me to either give a c-section if I wanted or to help me work with the more senior midwives to ensure that a future birth didn't end up the same way.

Since I have been pregnant though, I feel that she is pushing me towards a natural birth in hospital, but she has stated that she will still do a section if I really can't cope with the idea of going natural.

At the moment my preference is for a home birth to avoid any sort of hospital stay, as I also had a hard time on the wards after the birth. However I have spent the past 6 months changing my mind between that and a nice planned section (as it's the only way that I'll really feel in control).

I do feel though that unless I am forceful and insist that a section is the only way I will go, then they'll try to push a natural delivery as much as possible. So my advice is if you want a section go in showing no doubt about your choice, state that it is the only way you can consider giving birth after the psychological and physical trauma of your first delivery. They should then take you seriously.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hayley

 

[sethsmummy]

thank you hun! the hospital couldnt have gave a damn how i felt afterwards, nobody talked through it with me afterwards. fingers crossed i get my choice as im petrified, already started having nightmares x

 

[kimberleyrobx]

How did the appointment go? Im in scotland, near glasgow! i brought up having an elective section with a midwife at my 12 week scan because i had an emergency with my first because she was so big and she wasnt 'coming down,' she was 9lbs 6oz! ive to go for growth scans to monitor this boys weight to see roughly how big he will be, and then we will decide at the 36 week scan but i am determined to have one. you actually dont even need a reason anymore as elective sections are now legal for ANYONE who doesnt want to go natural, im just pushing them until they say yes as i am also scared to go through labour again. not because of the pain, my experience was terrible x

 

[sethsmummy]

How did the appointment go? Im in scotland, near glasgow! i brought up having an elective section with a midwife at my 12 week scan because i had an emergency with my first because she was so big and she wasnt 'coming down,' she was 9lbs 6oz! ive to go for growth scans to monitor this boys weight to see roughly how big he will be, and then we will decide at the 36 week scan but i am determined to have one. you actually dont even need a reason anymore as elective sections are now legal for ANYONE who doesnt want to go natural, im just pushing them until they say yes as i am also scared to go through labour again. not because of the pain, my experience was terrible x

It went really well. When I mentioned it the midwife said it was her job to talk me out of it.. but she knows what all my fears are and what happened last time so she is supporting me 100% but she cant say yes or no.. i have to talk to the anesthetist and my consultant. I see the anesthetist on the 11th and consultant on the 20th so hopefully they are the same Midwife said she has known it to be done for my circumstances and it was the anesthetist i am seeing that agreed to them ... so i have my fingers crossed he listens and agrees with me.. then its just the consultant to tackle.

They dont have to do it hun under NICE regulation if they wont do it they have to refer you to someone who they think will. But if there is no one in that hospital willing then its either change hospital or natural.

If you have no valid reason for wanting one then they have to send you to a psychiatrist first but if you have a valid reason then they have to listen to you.

I always thought if you'd have a previous section you were automatically offered another. I'm also getting growth scans at 28,32 and 36 weeks to make sure baby is growing ok as my 1st was considered small x

 

[kimberleyrobx]

How did the appointment go? Im in scotland, near glasgow! i brought up having an elective section with a midwife at my 12 week scan because i had an emergency with my first because she was so big and she wasnt 'coming down,' she was 9lbs 6oz! ive to go for growth scans to monitor this boys weight to see roughly how big he will be, and then we will decide at the 36 week scan but i am determined to have one. you actually dont even need a reason anymore as elective sections are now legal for ANYONE who doesnt want to go natural, im just pushing them until they say yes as i am also scared to go through labour again. not because of the pain, my experience was terrible x

It went really well. When I mentioned it the midwife said it was her job to talk me out of it.. but she knows what all my fears are and what happened last time so she is supporting me 100% but she cant say yes or no.. i have to talk to the anesthetist and my consultant. I see the anesthetist on the 11th and consultant on the 20th so hopefully they are the same Midwife said she has known it to be done for my circumstances and it was the anesthetist i am seeing that agreed to them ... so i have my fingers crossed he listens and agrees with me.. then its just the consultant to tackle.

They dont have to do it hun under NICE regulation if they wont do it they have to refer you to someone who they think will. But if there is no one in that hospital willing then its either change hospital or natural.

If you have no valid reason for wanting one then they have to send you to a psychiatrist first but if you have a valid reason then they have to listen to you.

I always thought if you'd have a previous section you were automatically offered another. I'm also getting growth scans at 28,32 and 36 weeks to make sure baby is growing ok as my 1st was considered small x

Same here, although i was told that trying for a vaginal delivery is so much more encouraged, even after all the risks of trying for one after a section! i had a horrible labour and it would be absolutely pointless to go through it all again just to end up with another EMCS, so im ELCS all the way x

 

[dizz]

I'm currently starting to consider the same myself - although, like someone else mentioned, I'm fearful of extending my time on the wards after as well (and looking at the location it was another Nottinghamshire poster who said that... which makes me wonder if it was the same awful post-natal ward). It's something I'm going to end up having to discuss with hubby and the midwife I think - just getting more and more wound up about the idea of everything that went wrong last time happening again as time goes on - and the flashbacks playing over and over all night every night are really getting to me now.

I have no idea what I'll do - glad it's sounding like you might have it as an option open to you though.

 

[sethsmummy]

I'm currently starting to consider the same myself - although, like someone else mentioned, I'm fearful of extending my time on the wards after as well (and looking at the location it was another Nottinghamshire poster who said that... which makes me wonder if it was the same awful post-natal ward). It's something I'm going to end up having to discuss with hubby and the midwife I think - just getting more and more wound up about the idea of everything that went wrong last time happening again as time goes on - and the flashbacks playing over and over all night every night are really getting to me now.

I have no idea what I'll do - glad it's sounding like you might have it as an option open to you though.

you have the same rights hun! you can request an elective c-section and since you have a valid reason they have to listen hun! You sound just like me with all the flashbacks etc!

kimberleyrobx fight your corner hun! I'm pretty sure since youv already had one section they have to allow you another if that is what you want xxxxx

 

[BunnyN]

What a nightmare 1st birth experience you had! It does seem very unlikely that you would have an experience like that again, it might be worth talking over what happened last time with someone and if there is any reason to expect complications this time around. I am not saying you are wrong if you choose a c-section because I think you have valid reasons, and even if there is no physical reason, I think the emotional stress is enough for you to consider it. I do know my mother had a terrible 1st birth (although she was unconscious for a good portion of it and for 24hrs after), without going into lots of details it also involved a forceps delivery and horrid treatment by staff afterward. She went on to have two natural births though and although they were certainly not short pain free births they were not traumatic like the first one. She chose not to have pain medication and she loved that she felt well and mobile as soon as the birth was over. I was born at home. She was out at a cafe with me the day after I was born! With my sister she left the hospital about 4hrs after the birth.

 

[sethsmummy]

What a nightmare 1st birth experience you had! It does seem very unlikely that you would have an experience like that again, it might be worth talking over what happened last time with someone and if there is any reason to expect complications this time around. I am not saying you are wrong if you choose a c-section because I think you have valid reasons, and even if there is no physical reason, I think the emotional stress is enough for you to consider it. I do know my mother had a terrible 1st birth (although she was unconscious for a good portion of it and for 24hrs after), without going into lots of details it also involved a forceps delivery and horrid treatment by staff afterward. She went on to have two natural births though and although they were certainly not short pain free births they were not traumatic like the first one. She chose not to have pain medication and she loved that she felt well and mobile as soon as the birth was over. I was born at home. She was out at a cafe with me the day after I was born! With my sister she left the hospital about 4hrs after the birth.

thanks for your response hun In my head i know that i could have a perfectly great birth.. but the fear thats there i think would stop it from happening. Also i have problems holding pee/bowel movements which i know another natural birth will aggravate, i sure dont want to be incontinent at 25.
At first i really wanted to go for an all natural with no intervention etc, but the closer it comes the more im working myself up, i would just like to have the option of a section there if i want it. Im scared that the the more worked up i get, the more likely its going to lead to another horrid birth.. but i cant seem to get it out of my head. I cant talk through my first birth with anyone up here as they dont have the details since it was in another hospital. So unless i paid for the full hospital record (which i cant afford to do) they can only go on what i tell them, and my midwife has already said theres no guarantee that it wont go the same way.

I have said that they are not allowed to go near me with foreceps or vontouse so if anything did start to go wrong then i would be going for a c-section but i dont like the thought of it being a rushed EMCS incase that means i then have to be knocked out. This is my last child and i want the experience of seeing/holding my baby straight after birth... i want to be able to bond straight away. I know that it will be a physical struggle but to be honest i can deal with that xxx

 

[disneybride]

I'm currently starting to consider the same myself - although, like someone else mentioned, I'm fearful of extending my time on the wards after as well (and looking at the location it was another Nottinghamshire poster who said that... which makes me wonder if it was the same awful post-natal ward). It's something I'm going to end up having to discuss with hubby and the midwife I think - just getting more and more wound up about the idea of everything that went wrong last time happening again as time goes on - and the flashbacks playing over and over all night every night are really getting to me now.

I have no idea what I'll do - glad it's sounding like you might have it as an option open to you though.

Hi Dizz,

Was your birth at QMC too? I hate even going past it now let alone spend any time in there. I would have chosen to change to city this time, but I have been told that the incompetent doctors that made my birth a living hell are now based at city and I didn't want to risk being under their care again

 

[sethsmummy]

oh no disneybride... at least you know you wont get them this time around (hugs) x

 

[dizz]

I'm currently starting to consider the same myself - although, like someone else mentioned, I'm fearful of extending my time on the wards after as well (and looking at the location it was another Nottinghamshire poster who said that... which makes me wonder if it was the same awful post-natal ward). It's something I'm going to end up having to discuss with hubby and the midwife I think - just getting more and more wound up about the idea of everything that went wrong last time happening again as time goes on - and the flashbacks playing over and over all night every night are really getting to me now.

I have no idea what I'll do - glad it's sounding like you might have it as an option open to you though.

Hi Dizz,

Was your birth at QMC too? I hate even going past it now let alone spend any time in there. I would have chosen to change to city this time, but I have been told that the incompetent doctors that made my birth a living hell are now based at city and I didn't want to risk being under their care again

Got it in one... I'm booked at City this time (but the last birth was earlier this year so it's probably yet another batch of raging incompetents - but most of my problems came from team-neo-natal docs so if you're a normal delivery you won't see 'em at least).

As for the antics on that delightful post-natal ward... it reminded me of the Jeremy Kyle show with helium "It's a boy" balloons!

 

[Annie77]

In Scotland we use SIGN guidelines more than NICE. have a look online.

 

[sethsmummy]

In Scotland we use SIGN guidelines more than NICE. have a look online.

thank you Would have thought the midwife would have mentioned that on Thursday :S Will go read up now so i am armed for my next few appointments xx

EDIT: any chance you could find a link for the info on elective c-section?? I cant find it on the website x

 

[BunnyN]

thanks for your response hun In my head i know that i could have a perfectly great birth.. but the fear thats there i think would stop it from happening. Also i have problems holding pee/bowel movements which i know another natural birth will aggravate, i sure dont want to be incontinent at 25.
At first i really wanted to go for an all natural with no intervention etc, but the closer it comes the more im working myself up, i would just like to have the option of a section there if i want it. Im scared that the the more worked up i get, the more likely its going to lead to another horrid birth.. but i cant seem to get it out of my head. I cant talk through my first birth with anyone up here as they dont have the details since it was in another hospital. So unless i paid for the full hospital record (which i cant afford to do) they can only go on what i tell them, and my midwife has already said theres no guarantee that it wont go the same way.

I have said that they are not allowed to go near me with foreceps or vontouse so if anything did start to go wrong then i would be going for a c-section but i dont like the thought of it being a rushed EMCS incase that means i then have to be knocked out. This is my last child and i want the experience of seeing/holding my baby straight after birth... i want to be able to bond straight away. I know that it will be a physical struggle but to be honest i can deal with that xxx

haven't been on in a couple days, just read your reply. I get where you are coming from, if you are just too scared it might make the whole experience awful anyway. If you manage to book a c-section you won't spend the whole time fretting. And you could always change your mind when the time came but at least the option would be there.