Elective C-Section Q'n - How do you know which ob/gyn are willing?

[Rocky27]

Hi ladies,

I'm not pregnant yet but this question is posted on behalf of my very lovely friend who's over for coffee at the moment :goodvibes:

My friend is currently 13 weeks pregnant with bub #1 & had her first ob/gyn appt not long ago. For personal reasons, my friend is after an elective c-section when the time comes to have bub.

My friend had asked her ob/gyn at her first appt but they wouldn't discuss it with her, saying we'll discuss that when you're alot further along.

Now she's worried that they won't agree to it and wants to know early so if she needs to find another doctor she can (she wants the same doctor all the way through). She was thinking of booking into another ob/gyn just in case, however that would get too expensive.

Anyway, just wondering for those who knew from the start they wanted elective c-sections, when did you discuss it with your doctors? Is there anyway to find out what doctors will agree to do elective c-sects? My friend just wants to know if she should be looking around for another ob/gyn or not.

Also, we live in Far North QLD, has anyone had an elective here? It'd be great to hear from anyone who have.

Thanks in advance for any replies :D xx

[Rocky27]

Anyone?? :D

[october]

Is your friend with private health care?
If she is she can ask for whatever birth she wants ie c section or try for a natural birth, but if she's public from what i've heard she will have to fight to get a c section

[lilypily]

My obs response was the same at 12 weeks. She held out on me till 34 weeks when she said I could birth any way I wanted. I think they hold out to see if you change your mind. Hope she gets it.

[Eleven Eleven]

I called a lot of doctors and just asked of they did them. Only one said yes and so I said okay! Book me in! Turns out I needed on for medical reasons anyway but I was always going to have one.

[Rocky27]

Thanks heaps ladies for the replies, thats very much appreciated!!

Yeah, she is with private health care but had heard some rumors that alot of doctors refuse to do c-sect's if not medically necessary. She seemed worried since they wouldn't give her an answer early on that it would get towards the end and then they would say no, so she's wanting to find one from the start who's happy to do it.

Thats a good idea, ringing around & asking the receptionists. I might pass that idea onto her. Hopefully they'll say yes or no rather than you'll have to discuss it with the doctor. She was telling me how negative family have been so far with her decision to have a c-sect, which I think is unreal. Women should be able to birth which ever way they feel comfortable without family putting their negative opinions in!

Thanks heaps again ladies, we weren't sure what the "rules" (so to speak) were re elective c-sects and if most doctors will agree to do them or not..

[Eleven Eleven]

Thanks heaps ladies for the replies, thats very much appreciated!!

Yeah, she is with private health care but had heard some rumors that alot of doctors refuse to do c-sect's if not medically necessary. She seemed worried since they wouldn't give her an answer early on that it would get towards the end and then they would say no, so she's wanting to find one from the start who's happy to do it.

Thats a good idea, ringing around & asking the receptionists. I might pass that idea onto her. Hopefully they'll say yes or no rather than you'll have to discuss it with the doctor. She was telling me how negative family have been so far with her decision to have a c-sect, which I think is unreal. Women should be able to birth which ever way they feel comfortable without family putting their negative opinions in!

Thanks heaps again ladies, we weren't sure what the "rules" (so to speak) were re elective c-sects and if most doctors will agree to do them or not..

If they said "discuss it with the dr." I took that as no. I just asked "how does Dr. feel about e c-sections?" some receptionists said no they don't do elective but the one I went to the lady went "yep! He does elective"

I refused to go to one that was "we'll talk about it later" no buddy, it will cause me stress, we are talking now!

Hope your friend gets the birth she wants! Tell us how she goes!

[Rocky27]

Hi Eleven,

Thanks heaps for that. I sent her a text & she's going to call a few offices after the easter long weekend.

Can't believe we didn't think of that! I love bub hub, haha! Hopefully one of them will be upfront & say yes, they'll do them. I wouldn't feel comfortable either waiting, just in case they said no later on when its too late to change doctors...

If one does happen to say yes, I'd say she'll change straight away to them if they're free.

Just out of interest, how many did you have to call until one said yes?

[Kayteigh]

is there a reason in particular why she wants a c-section? I have had 4 c-sections and wished I was able to give birth naturally and felt robbed because I couldn't. I know its her choice but I'm just curious to know why.

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[hopefully2]

What state are you in?

[Rocky27]

Hi Kayteigh,

Thats ok, thats the way she's always wanted to give birth. I know she's researched it extensively & knows all the risks etc involved. I do know that she was present while her sister had a natural birth last year. She ended up having a pretty tough labour & ended up with 3rd degree tear's , so I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it or not..

I've known her for many years & a c-sect has been the way she's wanted to give birth. She was saying that it appears to be safer for Mum & bub, which I think I agree with her on :)

[Rocky27]

Hopefully 2, we are in Far North QLD

[Kayteigh]

Well that's completely understandable and I hope she is able to give birth the way she wants. If she has any questions I have had both emergency and elective c-sections don't hesistate to ask

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[hopefully2]

Is there a section here that is specifically for your area coz then you can ask hubers for the names of their ob's who did their elective csections.

[Rocky27]

Thanks Kateigh,

Thats really lovely :) I might just tell her to join up on bub hub, haha :)

[Rocky27]

Hi Hopefully2, I'm not too sure, but will def have a look. We live in a smaller place (not bigger areas like Brisbane etc) so not sure if will be on here, but I might have a bit more of a look around...

[Kayteigh]

Let your friend know that if she has a c-section she can't drive of 6 weeks afterwards, along with a long list of other things that can't be done

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[kc1981]

Hi

I'm booked in to have elective c section in just 17 days. I chose this way for similar reasons as your friend. I'd much rather know I'm having c section on this date then spending hours labouring, stressed and ending up with a c section anyway. This has happened to a number of my friends and a few have said that they felt like they failed as a mother cause they couldn't birth the way they expected. I really couldn't do this to myself, bub or DH.

Now, for the OBs. I called just one dr who was recommended and spoke to receptionist. I asked how he felt about elective c section and receptionist told me he was fine with it and she delivered the same way with her daughter and this dr. We then talked about it on the 1st visit at just 9 weeks preg. He asked why. I told him and he said that's not a prob and would look at timing later on in the pregnancy. And all along he's discussed anything with us we needed to know.

I hope your friend finds the perfect dr that will help bring her child into the world the way she wants.

As for negative ppl. You will get them everywhere. She just needs to stick to her guns and explain that this is her choice. Her body. Her baby. Her family. And if the ppl don't like it then tell them it's best not to discuss it then.

I've had a few friends tell me about their horrible birth stories and ended up with c section then give me the "why would you do that?" question. To start off I made an excuse. Blah blah blah. Then in the end it p***ed me off and I'd just say my body, our baby, our family, our choice. As this was a decision made along with DH.

So in summary. Make sure she sticks to her guns and doesn't let anyone make her feel bad for the choices she is making.

Sorry to ramble but this is something very close to me at the moment.

Good luck

[Rocky27]

Hi kc,

Thats an awesome reply, thank-you so much :goodvibes:

I feel the same too, I don't understand why so many people are against it. I'm glad that she's going out of her way now to find a doctor who will respect her wishes & hopefully let her have her bub the way she wants. I'm glad she's speaking up, instead of just going with the flow & finding out later that they won't let her do it...

I sent her a text earlier, suggesting she do a ring around, which she is going to do once Easter & all these public holidays are over, so I hope she finds a couple who let her know on the phone that the doctor is either for/against elective c-sections, so she knows if to book in or not. The poor thing, I hope she finds one who's happy with that choice!

Yeah, i couldn't believe it that they wouldn't discuss it with her. I know it is still early on, but its causing her alot of stress not knowing if the doctor will do one or not. I think she's taking the 'we'll discuss it later' as a no. I'd be the same & wanting to find out as soon as you can.

Thats awesome you're having yours in 17 days, how exciting!! I wish you all the best & thanks so much again for your reply :D

[hopefully2]

Yeah I would take the we will discuss it as a no. For my first I went in at 8 weeks, first appointment and said this is how I want to deliver, he asked why. I pretty much told him that's what I wanted (fear of labour, back surgery and what i preferred) and he said sure let's choose a date today.

This time I also had my date of delivery scheduled in at 8 weeks.

I do hope your friend gets the delivery she desires. I have never regretted my delivery.