I'd love some advice re elective caesarian...

[Theza]

Hi!

I'd love some advice as I'm trying to decide whether to opt for an elective caesarian. I'm 35 weeks so I need to decide in the next week; as I'm in the UK I have a 'right' to choose, however the hospital I'm with discourage caesarians for non-essential reasons so I'm looking for some more advice.

The reason I'm considering it is because I have fibromyalgia. Alongside a myriad of other symptoms, this can cause extreme fatigue, panic in stressful situations, and a very low pain threshold. I get terrible cramps even when not pregnant, feel like I have bed sores if I lie in one position for too long, and feel pain really, really easily. Sex has always been painful although my doctor can't find a cause, and the one time I had a vaginal examination it was like torture. So the thought of labour and a natural delivery terrifies me.

I spoke to the consultant at my hospital's anti-natal clinic and her response was: "oh, we'll just give you an epidural as soon as you arrive and it'll be fine". However I've read / heard so much about the disadvantages and risks of an epidural for vaginal birth, and I feel like if I'm going to have to be effectively paralised from the chest down, I'd rather just have someone take the baby out via c-section than have to endure who knows how many hours of lying in one place being told when to push and worrying about forceps, tearing and the like.

I also have transport issues in that I have no access to a car so I'm reliant on taxis, which cost £20-35 to my hospital - a huge expense as I'm also on a very low income. My worry is that I'd feel in so much pain that I'd rush to the hospital, but then be sent away again because I wasn't dilated enough. Plus all the time I'm at home or traveling to the hospital (it's a good half hour journey) I won't be hooked up to the epidural... And all the stress of organising transport for me and worrying how my husband is going to get home after the birth if it's not when the buses run and so on will likely cause my fibromyalgia to flare up worse.

So at the minute I'm really attracted by the idea of avoiding the pain of labour, of only having to be hooked up to the epidural for an hour or two; of knowing 'exactly' (as much as anything medical can be exact) what the doctors will need to do; and of knowing in advance when to arrive at the hospital (allowing that sometimes appointments get cancelled) and how long I'll be there for. However I know that a c-section is a major operation in itself, with its own risks and complications, and that it would cause pain afterwards. And if I decide I want one, I'm going to have a fight on my hands to get the hospital to agree.

Sorry for such a long post and thanks for reading. I'm feeling completely at a loss about what to do so I'd love any advice or thoughts anyone feels able to give...

 

[Rosie2806]

Hi Theza, I am in a slightly similar boat to you except I'm not anywhere near as far into the pregnancy as you - I have only just found out. Except I am diabetic and we sometimes have big babies and I have read stories on here about diabetics going for a natural birth but the baby getting in distress and having to go onto a C section anyway. Even though it is such early days and I have loads of time to think your post struck a cord and I would like to see what people reply and see how you get on too. Is it true that you can choose whether to have a C section or not? It doesn't have to be recommend? Thanks anyone in advance, although like I say my reply isn't as urgent as yours Theza

 

[Theza]

Hi Rosie! Congratulations and hope your pregnancy goes really well

I was told at my NCT anti-natal course that pregnant ladies in the UK have the right to opt for a C-section whatever the situation, including for "social" reasons. My midwife also gave the impression that that is the case, however she was trying to dissuade me so she didn't dwell on it. The same with the consultant; she didn't say outright that I wouldn't be allowed one but glossed over the choice issue by focussing on why I should have a vaginal delivery.

It's a minefield, I'd love to know what other people think / know!

 

[Arisa]

hey there
well I am in new zealand and its even harder to get an elective C-section here even though I did have mental health concerns which my doctor told me IS a medical reason for a section as is your condition and fears too especially now sicne in the UK you can opt to have one but I would think you would need to push for one and since you are 35 weeks I would arrange an appt with an obstetrician straight away and ask your midwife for one as by legal rights you have the option of asking for an OB's opinion and they will most likely discuss pros and cons with you. That was what I had to go through including a psychiatric approval which he gave straight away as mental health he saw was a reasonable request however I developed pre eclampsia at week 33 and over the next four weeks was in and out of hospital and ended up with an emergency section three weeks early and two weeks before my 39 week scheduled section so i did not experience labour but it was still emergency due to my eclampsia being severe.
I hope you get the help you need and speak to your doctor, do not give up as you can have one

 

[LaRockera]

Hey hon,

I'm not too sure how they do it in the UK since I gave birth in Greece (we're broke but believe it or not our gynecologists are among the best in the world ) and this is how it goes.

First and foremost, if performed by a good anesthesiologist, the epidural works and it works fine. It speeds up labour, you still feel bubber going through the canal, and you can still move your legs, you just don't feel the pain. I know they say otherwise in the UK but 99% of women in Greece give birth under an epidural.

With my c-section, I did have an epidural, and was wired to it, as well as to the serum and the catheter for 24 hours. One possible side-effect of the epidural is nausea, so you need to let them know the instant you feel something.

I was given A LOT of painkillers as the epidural gradually wears off and they top it up- a c-section is a major operation. First night, didn't sleep at all, rose to stand the next day, the day after I walked a few steps and so on. Could only turn on my side the fourth day, before I left the clinic. But it was not as nearly as bad as I was afraid it would be.

I had to do a c-section as my bubber was running out of amniotic fluid at 38+5, and she was still high up. I'd still like to try for a VBAC next time, with an epidural, but even if I have to repeat the c-section, I'm absolutely fine with it.

 

[misshopefull]

Firstly my friend had a very tramatic birth and practically begged for a c-section with her second baby. They refused. This was in the UK at the start of 2012.

I had an emergency c-section with DS1 so was given the option with my second pregnancy. I opted for an elective c-section.

On the day of my section I arrived at the hospital at 8am. I was told I was first on the list. I was still waiting at 3pm and was told that I might be sent home due to the amount of emergency c-sections that day. They told me somebody had been sent home the day before.

I had to be put on a drip and I still didn't know if I would have the baby that day. In the end they took pity on me and I was taken to the theatre at around 5pm, baby was finally born at 6pm.

After the section I had a bad bleed in recovery and lost and pint and a half of blood.

It took me well over a month to get back on my feet after this c-section. The blood loss made me feel so drained.

The wait in the hospital on the day of my elective c-section was one of the longest and the worst of my life.

Whatever you choose there is going to be some pain involved. I had an epidural with my first and it was brilliant. My recovery from my first c-section was great.

My elective c-section was completely different and the recovery was long and painful.

There is no easy option and I wish you good luck

 

[Liesje]

My c-section was elective for "social" reasons. This site really helped me choose: https://www.medhelp.org/posts/Mater...e-changes-after-childbirth/show/167312?page=1
I'd have to say that considering what it was, it was really stress free and painless.
We just walked in (had an appointment) it was much like checking into a hotel and from there everything was calm and casual. Not like a surgery at all. If you have specific questions, just ask. I'd do it again in a second. Natural childbirth wouldn't even cross my mind.

 

[Ezza BUB1]

Hi ladies, I too am in a similar situation, i am sitting on the fence at the moment, as I am type 1 diabetic and like Rosie, could indeed have a BIG BABY!! I have been told that I will NOT go past 38weeks, so if i dont go early they will induce me no matter what. I am in 2 minds about what i want to do ... i would love the opportunity to go natural and would love a smooth sailing birth but noone can promise me this will happen..... i am more afraid of trying a vaginal delivery and then half way through haveing an emergency ceaser.... i would much prefer to elect to have a ceaser than have an emergency one.... i have been trying to get loads of info from my drs/obs (im in Australia) they all tell me that as a diabetic there is a 40-50% chance that i will end up haveing a ceaser anyways..... so in saying that i am more on the side of going for an elective.. i would rather bubs come out safely and with no stress on her or myself .. and would love to be in a more controlled environment of and elective c-section where all the drs are ready and prepared... not running around like mad men!!

as most of the ladies have said ... most drs will try and convince us that natural birth is always the better option .. but this is not true ALWAYS ... my birth could be smooth sailing whereas your birth could be completely traumatic.... we just dont know till we get there.... i would suggest doing wat feels right.... as for me im feeling ceaser is best all round at this stage.... my drs are very much palming me off for as long as possible till i get to my 36week scan to see how the growth is going..... i just wanna make a decision now and be done with it.... so this has been helpful thanks ladies.... good luck to us all right
xoxo