Elective C section

Hi, I’m due 24th and am electing for a c section for maternal choice, I don’t have any medical reasons as to why I would need one. I do have health anxiety and have looked into the pros and cons of natural/csection, however I am 1000% sure that a c section is what I want. Your midwife or anyone for that matter cannot tell you that you cannot have a c section. When I told my midwife she seemed unphased and has referred me to see a consultant to discuss, this is at 32 weeks. A consultant can deny you a c section, however they must refer you to a consultant that will do it. Look into NICE guidelines as it is your body & you have the right to choose the birth that you want, do expect push backs from your midwife/consultant but ultimately it is your choice. I would just make sure it’s something that you definitely want and make sure you understand the risks etc (but there are risks with all types of births) - feel free to message me if you have any questions xx

Legally the NHS must treat you under NICE guidelines. They have zero right to tell you you cannot have one, you do not need a reason. It’s called maternal rights, as a patient you can choose your care and method of treatment for anything. I have given no reason for either of my sections. Wasn’t even asked with baby1, my surgeon and midwife both chose sections for themselves too.

“emergency” c sections are extremely rare, there are some natural births that however end up with “unplanned” c section (not being pedantic but the language we use for birth makes a huge difference!) Do you not think it’s worth exploring natural birth abit more if you would prefer that recovery? There are still a lot of options to be had, the book by Siobhan Miller was really useful for preparing me mentally for birth (it covers both natural and planned c section preferences) xx

I had a tilted womb in my first pregnancy and once baby gets big enough it’s not tilted any more as it uses all the available space so that wouldn’t cause you to need a c section. You can however ask for one if you want one but make that decision on everything rather than just the tilted womb. Second pregnancy and my womb isn’t tilted so must have settled in a new place haha

Hi just to let you know,pretty much everyone has a " tilted womb" it either goes one way or the other , my midwife told me it's like being left or right handed. It's literally not a problem at all and totally normal x

It's absolutely your choice, regardless what you're reasoning is - it's your body & you decide end of. A lot of people have them for medical reasons or previous birth reasons (I'm one of these people). But certainly in my first pregnancy, the midwife didn't make it clear about having that choice, but as pregnant women, it's our decision. Don't let a MV tell you any different x

@Amy 40% of natural births end in emergency c section so I would argue they aren’t as rare as you may think. Thats one of the main reasons I’m opting for elective as I don’t want to end up in emergency

@Lizzie I would query that stat to be honest. An unplanned c section is very different to a true emergency c section. I think the NHS class anything that isn’t planned as emergency, which is very misleading! X

You’re allowed to have a C-section for any reason, there does not need to be medical need. You are allowed to choose. I am having one due to simply not wanting to go through labour again, my first was a terrible failed induced labour, 26 hours contracting and ended in an emergency C-section. It was traumatic and I simply refuse to go through that again. You just say “I want an elective C-section” and ask for a referral. In my trust it’s mandatory to have 2 Birth Choices appointments and a consultant appointment beforehand. They will explain the risks of a C-section so you are fully informed and if you still say yes I want one that’s what you get.

@Amy I have friends who work in the nhs and the stat is true whether you wish to believe it or not is your choice - any unplanned c section is classed as emergency as it is not the mothers wish of way of birth and would only be carried out if it wasn’t their first choice if there was risk to mom or the baby - hence emergency. I don’t wish to argue - simply concerned that people are not aware and this can influence a lot of decisions to have an elective section as it has with me to prevent a more rushed/emergency style birth if I can x