Elective section, going public

girl in the striped socks

Ok I have myself addled here. I've been searching through the Internet for an answer & it's certainly a mixed bag of answers.
Basically I want to know can I request a section as a public patient? And how much will it cost?
I don't have health insurance.

I think I may have asked already, to be honest I can't remember.

January

You can ask, but they don't have to agree. Best thing to do is, research, research, research!

They're going to ask, why do you want the section? Are you aware of the risks of c section over vaginal birth? Make sure you have your answers, be adamant. Bring someone with you who can support you if you falter. If you really want this be prepared to fight and take it all the way to the Master of the hospital if you have to.

If it's public you will not be charged for it.

Libby029

If this is ur first pregnancy, u will not be given a c-section unless it is for medical reasons.. and this will apply even to private patients.. although they may have more of a chance of getting one.. but highly unlikely being public. However if this is a second or subsequent pregnancy and u have had a previous section or a problematic first delivery you do have a good chance of getting an elective section..

If you are worried about being in labour.. just remember it can't be that bad, or women would never have a second, third or fourth baby... yes it can be very painful, but there is alot of options now when it comes to pain relief that wasn't available years ago.. and don't be listening or reading people's horror stories.. every woman has a different pain threshold, what some women think of as hell, other women have no problem with.

January

Libby029 wrote: »

If this is ur first pregnancy, u will not be given a c-section unless it is for medical reasons.. and this will apply even to private patients.. although they may have more of a chance of getting one.. but highly unlikely being public. However if this is a second or subsequent pregnancy and u have had a previous section or a problematic first delivery you do have a good chance of getting an elective section..

If you are worried about being in labour.. just remember it can't be that bad, or women would never have a second, third or fourth baby... yes it can be very painful, but there is alot of options now when it comes to pain relief that wasn't available years ago.. and don't be listening or reading people's horror stories.. every woman has a different pain threshold, what some women think of as hell, other women have no problem with.

We've a member here who had an elective c section on her first without a medical reason. She was semi-private, if I remember correctly.

girl in the striped socks

Libby029 wrote: »

If this is ur first pregnancy, u will not be given a c-section unless it is for medical reasons.. and this will apply even to private patients.. although they may have more of a chance of getting one.. but highly unlikely being public. However if this is a second or subsequent pregnancy and u have had a previous section or a problematic first delivery you do have a good chance of getting an elective section..

If you are worried about being in labour.. just remember it can't be that bad, or women would never have a second, third or fourth baby... yes it can be very painful, but there is alot of options now when it comes to pain relief that wasn't available years ago.. and don't be listening or reading people's horror stories.. every woman has a different pain threshold, what some women think of as hell, other women have no problem with.

I have my own reasons for looking for a section. I have no problem with pain, if I did I wouldn't have made the decision to have a baby as a section is not pain free either.
I'm well aware of the pros & cons of section vs natural birth & I know what I want, that is a section.
It is not unheard of to have one as a public patient on a first pregnancy. I just want to know if anyone here has had one on request & if so how difficult was it to get etc.

tallyv

my friend has one on her first baby think she went semi private though in the rotunda.

lazygal

Anecdotally I've heard you need to be firm and consistent and use the phrase 'I want a section' not 'I'd prefer to have a section' with every person you meet at every single appointment. I know someone who had to fight very hard, but she got her section in the public system. If you are 100% sure its what you want, don't be given the brush off by bossy midwives or consultants who are indifferent who say things like 'worrying about nothing' or 'think about all your options', say there is no room for other options, this is what you want and as your mind is made up you don't want or need to discuss the other options.

Synyster Shadow

I think it should be down to the individual what they want and having a section in some ways gives you a bit of control and say over the situation. For me I want so bad to be able do a vaginal birth as I want to get back into shape and my training is tough so a scar healing will add a slight bit more time to when I can train and I'm breast feeding hopefully so be easier if it wasnt a section. But as I say certain ways suit certain people and each to there own I just hope you get the response you want and remember not all doctors are right and know whats best so be persistent and Goodluck with it.

Oh and when are you due??

hoodwinked

in the cumh about 4 years ago we were told as it was my first i would not be considered for a c-section unless it was medically needed, i was public by the way.

Das Kitty

We're currently trying for our second and I had the same question. My mother works in the hospital so I got her to suss out one of the midwives on what the likelihood would be. (My first labour was arduous, my baby's oxygen levels and heart rate dropped to next to nothing, and I had to be emergency sectioned after having pushed for a long time with little effect).

So the midwife gave my mum the names of two consultants who she thought would be more amenable to requests like this, and I'm going to my GP to be referred to one or other of them to have a discussion, gynae check etc.

I wonder could you go this route, find out who the consultants to talk to were and book a gynae appointment with them through your GP? It will give you some insight into how the public system works too.

January

DK, after a first c section you are way more likely to be offered, or it's very much easier to push for a second section. They were all set to give me mine on Saoirse if I wanted it in the Coombe.

Das Kitty

January wrote: »

DK, after a first c section you are way more likely to be offered, or it's very much easier to push for a second section. They were all set to give me mine on Saoirse if I wanted it in the Coombe.

I hope so. I'm still traumatised, tbh. It only hit me recently how much danger the little guy was in.

January

Das Kitty wrote: »

I hope so. I'm still traumatised, tbh. It only hit me recently how much danger the little guy was in.

I had much the same experience as you on my first birth. I never got to the pushing stage though, I'm still traumatised and think I always will be, even though I've had two natural births since. I didn't really want a VBAC on number two, I was all set for the c section again but thought I'd always regret it if I didn't at least try to give birth naturally.

I was induced on number 1 and that was never going to happen on number 2, if I went too far over due or if my waters broke and labour didn't commence I was being c sectioned whether I liked it or not so with that in mind I went for it. I can understand wanting the c section again though!

dublinlady

January wrote: »

I had much the same experience as you on my first birth. I never got to the pushing stage though, I'm still traumatised and think I always will be, even though I've had two natural births since. I didn't really want a VBAC on number two, I was all set for the c section again but thought I'd always regret it if I didn't at least try to give birth naturally.

I was induced on number 1 and that was never going to happen on number 2, if I went too far over due or if my waters broke and labour didn't commence I was being c sectioned whether I liked it or not so with that in mind I went for it. I can understand wanting the c section again though!

My first was a section due to breech position - I'm hoping for a vbac this time - but as you say it's easy attempting it when you know they are watching extra closely and will section me after 4 hrs if I dont progress. I think if I was worried about the baby at all during labor it would be very traumatic. I'm all about vbac after my first section as I found the recovery difficult and ill have a 14 month old to run around after also!!

January

dublinlady wrote: »

My first was a section due to breech position - I'm hoping for a vbac this time - but as you say it's easy attempting it when you know they are watching extra closely and will section me after 4 hrs if I dont progress. I think if I was worried about the baby at all during labor it would be very traumatic. I'm all about vbac after my first section as I found the recovery difficult and ill have a 14 month old to run around after also!!

Exact same gap as me dublinlady I went into labour with mild pains at 1pm and they kept me in to observe me, started getting proper contractions about 2am and she was born at 10.42am.

wolfpawnat

I have my first appointment for my second child on Friday. My first was a C-Section 4 years ago and it was an emergency one. I was terrified when I didn't get to see him for over 12 hours or anything after he was born, so I really want to push for a second section. Not because I am frightened of pain or anything, but I am truly petrified after my first birth experience and I don't want to go through that again.

I am going to ask for a second one, it is at the same hospital so they have my notes and can see everything that happened, I wish my partner was going to be there Friday, he has way more medical knowledge than me so I would prefer to have him there if they want to argue it, though I have 25 weeks before I am due so plenty of time yet.

Das Kitty

wolfpawnat wrote: »

I have my first appointment for my second child on Friday. My first was a C-Section 4 years ago and it was an emergency one. I was terrified when I didn't get to see him for over 12 hours or anything after he was born, so I really want to push for a second section. Not because I am frightened of pain or anything, but I am truly petrified after my first birth experience and I don't want to go through that again.

I am going to ask for a second one, it is at the same hospital so they have my notes and can see everything that happened, I wish my partner was going to be there Friday, he has way more medical knowledge than me so I would prefer to have him there if they want to argue it, though I have 25 weeks before I am due so plenty of time yet.

Exact same with me Nat. Hope you get your wishes.

eustie5

I have heard you are more likely to get a c section in rotunta than holles st not sure how true that it though.

Das Kitty

I went to my GP today to speak to him about all of this and thought I'd share what I learned.

Now these things are true of UCHG, I can't speak for any other hospitals.

Your chances of getting an elective section are based on your circumstances. They have a system where you need two risk factors for an elective section to be called for. They call the risks 'majors'. I don't know the full list but previous section is a major, high BP is a major, diabetes is a major.

Then two minors are equal to one major. Your wishes count as a minor, a large head (90th centile +) is a minor, OP positioning is a minor.

Now, I was told that because all births by intervention are peer audited, that consultants are quite strict with these rules. Also if there was a mess up and upon investigation your case didn't satisfy the criteria for an elective section, there would be serious consequences.

All that said, my GP thought that considering my history and the letter he was going to write for me (outlining my wishes, constituting a minor), that I would almost certainly satisfy the criteria for an elective section.

I'm still going to get an appointment with one of the consultants though and speak with her and talk through my chart from last time.

Have to say, I love my GP.

Oh and OP... he said public or private, they operate under the same set of rules, so don't worry about that aspect.

krankykitty

eustie5 wrote: »

I have heard you are more likely to get a c section in rotunta than holles st not sure how true that it though.

Going by the statistics, that may be right. I believe Holles St has a very pro-natural birth policy. You can see the stats for all the hospitals on Bump2Babe.ie also you can choose on the drop down list to see the percentage of instrumental birth, episiotomy, induction etc. Not sure how up to date it is but should give some idea of the policies of the various hospitals.

2rkehij30qtza5

I went private with my children and asked for a section and was told no, not unless medically needed. I had them naturally although with my first I wished I was allowed the section!!

girl in the striped socks

I spoke to my midwife since I started this thread & she seems to think I'm in with a very good chance of getting one. Also the consultant I am attending is willing to consider it but wants me to be 100% sure. Basically he is agreeing & has it down on my notes that I have requested & my reasons for requesting it.
I won't go into detail as to why I want one but trust me when I say this isn't something I've thought of lightly. I explored all options before we even started trying for a baby because I wanted to be fully informed. I have continued to weigh up the pros & cons of what I want & why I want it, each time I go back to a section as the birth I want for my baby & for me.
I still have a few months to go & I'm already waking up at night with nightmares over a natural birth & all it has to offer. I have woken myself up crying due to the nature of my nightmares.
I'm sick & tired of people telling me all the pain will be forgotten about & to just get on with it because its a natural process.
When the time comes to have the baby ill be telling people the baby's breech or there was some medical reason to have a section because there's far too many women out there waiting to say "too posh to push". Everyone is entitled to their opinion but its the nastiness behind some of the comments that bothers me. That because I'm looking for a section I'm somehow a lesser person or a lazy so & so. My only concern is getting my baby out as safe & as healthy as possible. And in my opinion a section is the way I want. It doesn't make me better or worse than any other expectant mother & I would never judge an expectant mother for going down the natural route. It's entirely their decision.
So why do I get judged & almost sneered at, mostly by other women, for requesting a section?

Das Kitty

girl in the striped socks wrote: »

So why do I get judged & almost sneered at, mostly by other women, for requesting a section?

I've heard this from men too. People will always have their bit to say no matter what you do. Don't let it bother you what other people think. All that matters is what you think.

krankykitty

I hear you Girl in Striped Socks. I just don't know why people actually CARE what kind of birth someone else might want - let alone want to judge you for it. It's not as if being able to choose whether or not you have a section means that everyone else is forced to get one too... But then again, it seems (particularly in Ireland) when it comes to women's reproductive health everyone has an opinion :rolleyes:

Synyster Shadow

Das Kitty wrote: »

I've heard this from men too. People will always have their bit to say no matter what you do. Don't let it bother you what other people think. All that matters is what you think. <3

Your right they do gotta have there say. My cousins woman had two sections and with the first one that she had after 3 days of them tryin to get her to go into labour they said it had to be section and the nurse present was been a bitch and said 'I believe every woman should be able do it right and push' to be honest I would have decked her there and then!

Das Kitty

Synyster Shadow wrote: »

Your right they do gotta have there say. My cousins woman had two sections and with the first one that she had after 3 days of them tryin to get her to go into labour they said it had to be section and the nurse present was been a bitch and said 'I believe every woman should be able do it right and push' to be honest I would have decked her there and then!

Do it right!

I had some creepy fella start talking to me while I was waiting to leave the hospital with my little guy and he started the "In my day there was no hospital, the women had the babies in the bed and got up to make dinner."

Jaysus I was livid. Without an intervention the little newborn in the carseat beside me would have died, and possibly me along with him. I told yer man that and asked him if he had any brothers or sisters who died being born. He shut up then.

Chuchu

Well said. I had emergency c last time, not what I wanted at all and was quite traumatised by it all like some of the other posters said. It may be the case that I'll have one this time too but it really is no ones's business and at least I'll know the drill this time if so! People are so nosy and presumptuous. The main thing is a live and healthy baby and Mam as an outcome and after that a happy mam = happy baby irrespective of how it got here. Those years of rearing a child afterwards are much more important than those hours of labour (and recovery from a section is labour too, believe me!)

Synyster Shadow

Das Kitty wrote: »

Do it right!

I had some creepy fella start talking to me while I was waiting to leave the hospital with my little guy and he started the "In my day there was no hospital, the women had the babies in the bed and got up to make dinner."

Jaysus I was livid. Without an intervention the little newborn in the carseat beside me would have died, and possibly me along with him. I told yer man that and asked him if he had any brothers or sisters who died being born. He shut up then.

My granny had all her's at home and had to get on with things a few days later but mainly family helped out. She was lucky she never had any problems but even she said hospitals are a better idea! She's old fashioned but from time to time she comes out with things unexpectedly. Today we were talkin bout birth control she's random

When they need to intervene then so be it I'll do a section should I have to simple as and let one person be smart bout it I'll flip.

wolfpawnat

Without intervention, my son would either be severely disabled or dead, and God only knows what state I would be in. My nan gave birth to 14 live children at home, two sets of twins were in that. She would go insane if any one of my aunts or us granddaughters tried to have a home birth, she freaks out about us getting in trouble and losing our children. When I told her my son was C-Section she lit a candle that he was here safely and we were planning a Christening and not a funeral. That is the attitude to have.

I have no idea why it is anyone else's concern how a child is born as long as it is healthy. I had a woman brag to me that she went natural and I didn't. I took hypothetical chunks out of her. Who the hell do these people think they are. I am not telling anyone that I am requesting another one except the immediate family. My partner's mother thinks it is a better decision to do it this way too, and she is usually contrary about these sorts of things.

Neyite

I have to say, nobody has said anything about me having my emergency c-section - well to my face anyway. If they did, they would be sorry, let me tell you!

The smugness of some that went natural - fair play if you did, its a personal choice, but if someone wants pain relief then they should not be judged for it. Likewise, if a woman has valid fears that she feels a section would be safer for her and her baby, she should be supported.

Whatever way the baby comes out does not make you any better a mother than the next woman.

pwurple

People see the most ridiculous things as competition. You will have people comparing the height of 2 year olds as well, bring mightely proud when theirs is taller. Like it's an achievement.

worldwind06

I'm currently 32 weeks pregnancy and today was told by my consultant that he would give an elective section. Fear of labour, birth, and everything it entails is a very real thing and so far it has ruined my entire pregnancy causing me to become so depressed and anxious I had to be put on medication for anxiety in my second trimester. I have fought really hard for my elective section and due to severe stress and anxiety I'm getting one as my consultant could see that I was getting progressively worse the further along I was in pregnancy, my GP said he would write letters if needs be, but that won't be needed now. I know that a natural delivery is better for mum, there's a lot of risks involved with a section and that it's major abdominal surgery all of this was really secondary to me because my mental health was really suffering. It may sound rediculous to some women that I could get into such a state over childbirth, but after reading a lot online I'm not the only one. Every appointment I had it let it be known to whatever doctor I had that I was really suffering mentally in the beginning they didn't listen to me, but the further my pregnancy progressed the more they listened. I would let anyone put me down over my decision because today is the first time since I've basically become pregnant that I've been able to relax. I even had a nap today when I got home and it was the first bit of refreshing sleep I've had in so long.

bean14

worldwind06 wrote: »

I'm currently 32 weeks pregnancy and today was told by my consultant that he would give an elective section. Fear of labour, birth, and everything it entails is a very real thing and so far it has ruined my entire pregnancy causing me to become so depressed and anxious I had to be put on medication for anxiety in my second trimester. I have fought really hard for my elective section and due to severe stress and anxiety I'm getting one as my consultant could see that I was getting progressively worse the further along I was in pregnancy, my GP said he would write letters if needs be, but that won't be needed now. I know that a natural delivery is better for mum, there's a lot of risks involved with a section and that it's major abdominal surgery all of this was really secondary to me because my mental health was really suffering. It may sound rediculous to some women that I could get into such a state over childbirth, but after reading a lot online I'm not the only one. Every appointment I had it let it be known to whatever doctor I had that I was really suffering mentally in the beginning they didn't listen to me, but the further my pregnancy progressed the more they listened. I would let anyone put me down over my decision because today is the first time since I've basically become pregnant that I've been able to relax. I even had a nap today when I got home and it was the first bit of refreshing sleep I've had in so long.

World wink. I had a section 12 months ago. I have a perfectly happy baby and mammy and thats all that matters. Best of luck. Look after yourself after it, take the help offered and pain relief

NewYork1979

I'm due my first baby in May and I have to say that I find it strange that the elective c-section option isn't discussed more. I aim to just let things take their course and whatever way baby needs to come is fine by me. I do think though that everyone should be allowed/given info to explore their options on giving birth, maybe an elective c-section is more relaxed for all involved, less risky? There's a lot of unknown events in giving birth naturally and yet us new expectant mums are just often expected to roll with it. I think if anyone really wants a c-section for whatever reasons then it should be given too, it's a scary time.

polydactyl

From a medical standpoint elective sections do bare more risks for the mother than natural which is why hospitals discourage them unless medically needed and why they are audited internationally. Every single elective section in a hospital especially for a first time mum is scrutinised, which is why you have to have your "case" ready to go if its not a medical thing they can see for themselves eg breech etc.

After all that what ever way the baby comes out as long as it is safe is all that matters. My sister had an emergency section and was up and about 3 days later and flying and def wants an elective the next time as she got on so well

lazygal

From a completely anecdotal and not at all scientific perspective, I haven't known one person to have complications after an elective section in my groups of mammy friends. I've known many who had complications after 'natural' births, and some who want elective sections because they don't want to take a chance on going natural again.

worldwind06

bean14 wrote: »

World wink. I had a section 12 months ago. I have a perfectly happy baby and mammy and thats all that matters. Best of luck. Look after yourself after it, take the help offered and pain relief

Bean14 my elective is at the end of this month 26th of February and since I was told I could have it I'm just so relaxed and finally enjoying the last bit of my pregnancy. My partner has noted the change in me is massive. I have a friend who had a section and she said the same as you, take any pain relief they offer haha.

Idrive

I suppose you need to look after your own mental health first and foremost.
I understand that you seem terrified of a natural birth, but neither option is a walk in the park

Some considerations would be - how many children do you hope to have ?
Also Breastfeeding can be a little more challenging and losing some of that awesome skin to skin immediately after the birth ( which dulls all the pain )

Plus a vaginal birth its proven to be less stressful on your baby..
I would read a little bit more of the science behind that before making my decision.

Instead of reading all the horror stories, which Google is great for, read all the positives for a little while. I cant begin to describe the feeling when my baby was laid on my chest for the first time. She breastfed straight away, so i was able to bond straight away too.
I was able to hop off the bed ( kinda ) and the recovery time can be far less.
Just my 2 cents anyway..

Best of Luck

lazygal

I was able to breastfeed very successfully post section. I'm still feeding my 17 month old. I also know of a few women who had terrible recoveries from vaginal births, whereas any woman I know who had an elective (rather than emergency) section had a trouble free recovery. There's a few myths about sections - like not being able to have skin to skin, which is possible if you really want it and the recovery taking weeks compared to a natural birth, but in my case I had much better and faster and easier recoveries than a lot of women who had vaginal births. I know some who still aren't right months or years on, and have vowed to have elective sections if they get pregnant again.

Idrive

I was speaking in general terms lazygirl.

Neyite

Idrive wrote: »

I suppose you need to look after your own mental health first and foremost.
I understand that you seem terrified of a natural birth, but neither option is a walk in the park

Some considerations would be - how many children do you hope to have ?
Also Breastfeeding can be a little more challenging and losing some of that awesome skin to skin immediately after the birth ( which dulls all the pain )

Plus a vaginal birth its proven to be less stressful on your baby..
I would read a little bit more of the science behind that before making my decision.

Instead of reading all the horror stories, which Google is great for, read all the positives for a little while. I cant begin to describe the feeling when my baby was laid on my chest for the first time. She breastfed straight away, so i was able to bond straight away too.
I was able to hop off the bed ( kinda ) and the recovery time can be far less.
Just my 2 cents anyway..

Best of Luck

But section mothers get that feeling too

My baby was breastfed until he self weaned, and breastfed right away after he was born by EMCS. He had skin to skin with my partner for the 20 mins while I was stitched up, then returned to me for 10 solid hours of skin to skin and breastfeeding. My milk came in the same as any other mother, and my recovery was far quicker than some women who had stitches and vaginal tearing. It was no walk in the park, but neither are some vaginal births.

hoodwinked

Idrive wrote: »

I suppose you need to look after your own mental health first and foremost.
I understand that you seem terrified of a natural birth, but neither option is a walk in the park

Some considerations would be - how many children do you hope to have ?
Also Breastfeeding can be a little more challenging and losing some of that awesome skin to skin immediately after the birth ( which dulls all the pain )

Plus a vaginal birth its proven to be less stressful on your baby..
I would read a little bit more of the science behind that before making my decision.

Instead of reading all the horror stories, which Google is great for, read all the positives for a little while. I cant begin to describe the feeling when my baby was laid on my chest for the first time. She breastfed straight away, so i was able to bond straight away too.
I was able to hop off the bed ( kinda ) and the recovery time can be far less.
Just my 2 cents anyway..

Best of Luck

i had a natural birth with only gas and air, and my baby wouldn't breastfeed at all, it really doesn't matter how you being them into the world they will do what they please when it comes to every aspect of being a baby.

while i am all for putting the baby first, and while the science does show a natural birth is the preferable option (as long as there are no complications) its worth noting in most cases there are complications,

i think in an ideal word most parents to be would choose a natural vaginal birth over anything else, but like anything there are other factors to consider,

some women like me have a high pain threshold and can deal with the pain with just gas and air and have a baby like that, but what about the women who have a very low pain threshold? why put them and their baby at risk because of a perceived stigma to avoid a section?

or those who medically need a section?

you can't just say that because you bonded and breastfed straight away was down to Skin to skin or a natural birth, this is what imo is wrong with society, we are too quick to point to "what is normal" leaving those of us with different experiences feeling like we are to blame for not doing the best for our baby, a healthy happy mum is what's best for baby and whatever mothers need to do to achieve is ok!

Idrive

hoodwinked wrote: »

i had a natural birth with only gas and air, and my baby wouldn't breastfeed at all, it really doesn't matter how you being them into the world they will do what they please when it comes to every aspect of being a baby.

while i am all for putting the baby first, and while the science does show a natural birth is the preferable option (as long as there are no complications) its worth noting in most cases there are complications,

i think in an ideal word most parents to be would choose a natural vaginal birth over anything else, but like anything there are other factors to consider,

some women like me have a high pain threshold and can deal with the pain with just gas and air and have a baby like that, but what about the women who have a very low pain threshold? why put them and their baby at risk because of a perceived stigma to avoid a section?

or those who medically need a section?

you can't just say that because you bonded and breastfed straight away was down to Skin to skin or a natural birth, this is what imo is wrong with society, we are too quick to point to "what is normal" leaving those of us with different experiences feeling like we are to blame for not doing the best for our baby, a healthy happy mum is what's best for baby and whatever mothers need to do to achieve is ok!

And that's all im saying. In normal circumstances , everything goes fine with a natural birth.
I've not suggested there is anything wrong with section births.

worldwind06

Idrive wrote: »

And that's all im saying. In normal circumstances , everything goes fine with a natural birth.
I've not suggested there is anything wrong with section births.

I felt that you implied I had not made an informed decision over my elective

Bunsbun

I suffer from anxiety due to migraines. It comes on out of nowhere and i've ended up in A&E twice convinced i'm having a heart attack.

Because the migraines effectively switch my anxiety on without my say so, would I be a good candidate for an elective section do you reckon? I'm going to my GP tomorrow about it anyways but just wanted to see what you all thought.

The gas and air for natural birth would defo be enough to give me migraines. I can tolerate anaesthetics. But I can't tolerate most medicines and painkillers without getting migraines.

I am extremely anxious over the whole birth process. I know the risks involved with a C section but they trump a natural birth for me.

I'm not sure if this is against the rules or not, sorry in advance if it is. But if anyone knows of some good consultants in the Dublin area who are more open to elective sections, could you please PM me their details so I can ask my doc to refer me to them?

Cunning Stunt

lazygal wrote: »

I was able to breastfeed very successfully post section. I'm still feeding my 17 month old. I also know of a few women who had terrible recoveries from vaginal births, whereas any woman I know who had an elective (rather than emergency) section had a trouble free recovery. There's a few myths about sections - like not being able to have skin to skin, which is possible if you really want it and the recovery taking weeks compared to a natural birth, but in my case I had much better and faster and easier recoveries than a lot of women who had vaginal births. I know some who still aren't right months or years on, and have vowed to have elective sections if they get pregnant again.

This. I had a disastrous natural birth on my first pregnancy, where we lost an otherwise perfectly healthy little girl. I tore pretty badly as they needed to get her out fast and the recovery was slow - I'm still a bit tender there 3 years later...

The (elective)section on my second pregnancy, while painful, saw me more or less up and around in a few days. We took part in a new C-section procedure (not in Ireland - but maybe those interested could ask their consultants?), where they take down the screen just before baby comes out, so that you can see them taking him/her out and then baby landed up on my chest, same as in a natural birth situation, while they sewed me up. So I missed out on nothing in that regard. I will do the same again next time round.

Neyite

Cunning Stunt wrote: »

This. I had a disastrous natural birth on my first pregnancy, where we lost an otherwise perfectly healthy little girl. I tore pretty badly as they needed to get her out fast and the recovery was slow - I'm still a bit tender there 3 years later...

The (elective)section on my second pregnancy, while painful, saw me more or less up and around in a few days. We took part in a new C-section procedure (not in Ireland - but maybe those interested could ask their consultants?), where they take down the screen just before baby comes out, so that you can see them taking him/her out and then baby landed up on my chest, same as in a natural birth situation, while they sewed me up. So I missed out on nothing in that regard. I will do the same again next time round.

With the exception of the screen coming down, that's pretty much what my experience was. As soon as the baby came out, they brought him around the screen for us to see him - there was a meconium problem so I'd say thats why they took him to the side table to check his airways etc otherwise either myself or my partner would have held him straight after the birth. While I was getting sewn up, partner held the baby in the labour suite and gave skin to skin, then when I was ready, the nurse tucked the baby in my nightie to breastfeed and get skin to skin.

Because I was immobile, I was actually allowed to co-sleep with the baby that way for the first 10 hours. I think if I could move, they'd have been worried I'd roll onto him and would have made me put him in the bassinet. So in a way, I probably had more skin to skin than the norm.

I'd say the stitching took 20 mins max, so it wasnt long for the baby to be with his dad and not me. I think they try very much to ensure that section deliveries have those same elements if there are no medical reasons not to.

lazygal

One thing I only realized a long time after my births was how much my husband appreciated being the first person (after the medical staff) to hold and care for our baby. He had them the whole time I was in recovery and he has said he really cherished that alone time with them for bonding, and as I couldn't hold them I was able to completely relax in recovery. He might not have had those precious memories of having the time to bond had I had vaginal births with me doing skin to skin etc.

lazygal

Bunsbun wrote: »

I suffer from anxiety due to migraines. It comes on out of nowhere and i've ended up in A&E twice convinced i'm having a heart attack.

Because the migraines effectively switch my anxiety on without my say so, would I be a good candidate for an elective section do you reckon? I'm going to my GP tomorrow about it anyways but just wanted to see what you all thought.

The gas and air for natural birth would defo be enough to give me migraines. I can tolerate anaesthetics. But I can't tolerate most medicines and painkillers without getting migraines.

I am extremely anxious over the whole birth process. I know the risks involved with a C section but they trump a natural birth for me.

I'm not sure if this is against the rules or not, sorry in advance if it is. But if anyone knows of some good consultants in the Dublin area who are more open to elective sections, could you please PM me their details so I can ask my doc to refer me to them?

If you are certain it is what you want, start telling the medical personnel this. I would put it in writing to the doctors and ensure it is kept in your notes from an early stage. I would also anecdotally say that it is easier to have your preferences respected if you go private, that's not to denigrate the public system but I built up a good and trusting relationship with my consultant and the continuity of care stood to me.

lainycool

I had my 2nd section in November (elective) after having an emergency caesarean in 2013, I found the planned section was so much more relaxed and it was actually a lovely experience, I also had skin to skin contact straight away with my son while they stitched me up!
The recovery was 10 times better too, I plan on having another maybe in a year and I will definitely go for an elective section again.

catchery

Hi all im now 31 weeks pregnant and saw my consultant this week to discuss an elective section. I had a forceps delivery on my first with 3d tears and an episiotomy and the whole experience was very traumatic. I decided to go completely natural on my second and used the hypnobirthing method but because my baby was large everything re-opened and i had to be restitched again but tissue was removed because it was so bad. I was told by my midwife to go for a section if i went again. So here i am and of course the consultant basically said that he thought i would be fine that he would electively cut if needs be and he would "fix" me properly afterwards so that the longest recovery period for me this time would be 6weeks. On my first it took 9months and 5 months on my second very slow and very painful. He said i should of returned to hospital after 6weeks if i wasnt happy but my gp at the time said it takes time some people heal faster blah blah ... so ! He said that i can have an elective section if i wanted but he was completely against it but ultimately its my choice. So im really confused but so annoyed also because he was very condescending and said a 10lb baby was a normal baby not too big (that was the weight of my last baby) this baby is reading 5weeks ahead for weight so could be bigger again. Im just worn out wondering what is the best thing to do for both baby and me and would love to hear more from people who have some experience similar or who have had sections please. Thank you for reading !