UK: Would I be allowed to choose a c-section due to previous traumatic birth?

[tinkerbelle93]

Just to clarify, I'm not actually pregnant yet and I'm unsure if I really want to get pregnant again (I'd love love love to have more children with all my heart but not to go through the process of having to give birth again, I'm so terrified that it's enough for me to just to stick to the one-child family I thought I never wanted) and, if I do want to have more babies, I'm not entirely sure whether I would want to choose an ELCS if it were an option, but right now I just want to explore all my options and know what I'd be entitled to if I did choose to have another baby.

With my son I had a rushed, scary emergency forceps delivery in theatre due to foetal distress. I found the experience terrifying, undignified, extremely distressing and upsetting. I suffered from awful post-natal depression after the experience and it completely ruined my experience of new motherhood. I felt unbearably down all the time and everytime I drifted off to sleep I prayed I wouldn't wake up. I hate to say it now but I felt a degree of resent against my son for what I'd gone through for him. I struggled to bond with him at all during the first six months and questioned if I loved him or not. During pregnancy I had high hopes for breastfeeding for a year or more but gave up after 3 weeks because I had no motivation. I had OCD before I gave birth but the experience triggered it off again and, as well as having depression, I had unbearable OCD and my life was ruled by rituals, routines and ridiculous irrational anxieties that made no sense yet ruled my life and made me feel sick. Even the simplest of tasks such as changing his nappy were altered by my OCD and it made life extremely difficult. I suffered from flashbacks of the birth often that left me cold and had regular nightmares where I'd wake up terrified or in tears, as well as ending up in tears whenever anything reminded me of the birth or if anyone bought it up. Even now I am affected and hate to talk about my experience or even listen to others discuss their own experiences, as well as watching anything to do with childbirth.. I have to leave the room if OBEM is on or if someone is giving birth on a soap opera etc.

Anyway, I went on many courses of different anti-depressants, and once I found the right ones they helped a little. I was referred to counselling for my depression and CBT therapy for my OCD and anxiety. My therapist at the CBT sessions spoke to me and diagnosed me with post-trumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the birth, which she strongly believed directly caused my depression, OCD and anxiety. I'm still on medication and have completed my CBT sessions. I feel a lot better now after the medication and therapy, as well as the year and a half that's gone by since it's happened.. but I still have the odd nightmare about the experience and still can't summon the courage to get pregnant again because I don't want to ever go into labour and go through that again. I want another baby more than anything and it's sad because I'm in such an ideal situation for it, and this is exactly the time I thought I'd be TTC again

Anyway, back to the point, if I decided I wanted to have an ELCS, what would be the chances I would be offered one based on this? I know the NHS are *supposed* to offer you one for non-medical reasons but it seems as though sometimes they just won't. Any experience with this? All advice appreciated. x


* Just to add, I don't know if I would choose a c-section. I know the risks involved and I know they are a massive operation with long, painful recovery, I'm simply wondering if it would be an option for me to consider.

 

[Floralaura]

With number 2-I had a traumatic time, induced due to GD and hyper stimulated and had a horrific 24hrs..eventually giving birth to a 10lb Baby who was then taken to SCBU due to being shocked at the Birth..
When I got pregnant with number 3 I requested a consultant appointment right away and at 14 weeks I saw her, told her I wanted a C-section and she looked over my notes and approved me for one there and then..I went on chose to deliver vaginally though (my choice) and always had the c-section option left open for me which I think helped me mentally allow myself to consider vaginal again..so yes you are 'allowed' to request a section for a previous traumatic birth..you could even ask for a consultant appointment before TTC to discuss your plan of care so that you could TTC knowing how it would all pan out rather than have the uncertainty.

 

[OmiOmen]

I wouldn't particularly recommend a c-section, they can be pretty traumatic in themselves, but you can now request one on the NHS. If your are not yet pregnant and it is part of the decision planning to have another it might be a good idea to talk through the options before TTC.

Good luck.

 

[havingmyfirst]

A C Section is an operation so I can understand them recommending VBAC and that is after all the natural way to give birth but it isnt the best way for everyone.

I had a very traumatic birth with our son almost a year ago now. I am quite sure that if it wasnt for my mum (who was my birthing partner but who was not present in theatre) I would have suffered from post traumatic stress disorder myself. I love our baby so much that I want another but for weeks after giving birth I had what I would describe as flash backs to how traumatic the birth had been (unsuccess induction using drugs - very painful no dilation after 2 days eventual emergency C Section due to fetal distress).

I am going to insist on a planned C Section this time. I have had one big baby so am likely to have another. I already have a C Section scar and in my opinion I may as well not risk damage anywhere else. It is YOUR choice. You have rights to choose as is stated in the NICE guidelines.

Choose what is right for you.

 

[tinkerbelle93]

With number 2-I had a traumatic time, induced due to GD and hyper stimulated and had a horrific 24hrs..eventually giving birth to a 10lb Baby who was then taken to SCBU due to being shocked at the Birth..
When I got pregnant with number 3 I requested a consultant appointment right away and at 14 weeks I saw her, told her I wanted a C-section and she looked over my notes and approved me for one there and then..I went on chose to deliver vaginally though (my choice) and always had the c-section option left open for me which I think helped me mentally allow myself to consider vaginal again..so yes you are 'allowed' to request a section for a previous traumatic birth..you could even ask for a consultant appointment before TTC to discuss your plan of care so that you could TTC knowing how it would all pan out rather than have the uncertainty.

Yes this is exactly what I want to do.. get the option of a c-section even though I'm not 100% sure just because I think I would feel so much more relaxed knowing that the option is there if I decide to go with it that I think I'll feel less scared in general about the whole thing. What I'm unsure about though is whether I have strong enough grounds to be approved for one. I know that, despite NICE guidelines, sometimes consultants won't approve people for one on non-medical grounds like birth anxiety or previous birth trauma. How do I go about seeing a consultant before TTC, via a GP appointment? xx

 

[OmiOmen]

NHS website says: "If a woman requests a caesarean section because she's anxious about childbirth, she should be referred to a healthcare professional with expertise in providing mental health support. She should be offered a planned caesarean if, after discussion and support, she still feels a vaginal birth is not an acceptable option."

Here is the link; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Caesarean-section/Pages/Introduction.aspx

I guess getting an appointment will depend on how your local hospital works but I would think that calling directly through to our labour and delivery ward may be an option otherwise you may need a referral from your GP.

After having a traumatic delivery myself I have read up about other women's experiences of birth trauma and have heard of a few women who had traumatic vaginal births who then went on to have a planned c-section.