And yet again, another c-section question.

**Ashleigh<3** · 09-09-2006 16:55

Hello ladies!

Just thinking about caesareans lately, I�m due in three weeks, and I suppose I keep imagining what type of birth scenario I may have to go through. I�m planning on having a water birth but as it is my first pregnancy, I don�t know how well I�ll be able to handle going drug free, as the hospital I�m going to does not do epidurals, Only the gas.

I�ll be fine.

But my question is, to the mothers that chose to have an elective c-section. How did you go about doing so? As from the first time I went in for my midwife appointment I was never at any point asked about or was I ever told that elective c-section was available to mother�s.
It was more so like I was being told, "well get yourself ready for one hell of a trip!", Meaning I was more so pushed into the natural birth selection. Kind of as if I was not allowed to electively decide to have a caesarean, because I wasn�t given any information about it whatsoever.

As for all the famous mothers who chose elective caesareans you obviously figure, well they�re very rich and famous they can do whatever they want.

I�m not in any way thinking about changing my birth plan, unless there�s an emergency/i'm advised to for the babies sake, but come the future if I do decide to have another baby, If I decide to go elective c-section how do you go about organising this? I know it sounds silly of me to ask but I have never, ever been given an insightful run down on this procedure.

**~MinkeyMoo~** · 09-09-2006 21:45

I think you will find most "elective" c/s for non medical reasons are with private patients under private OB care. That said, I had an "planned" c/s, that is my first DD was breech and didnt turn so after weighing up the pros' and cons we decided on a c/s. Personally, I wouldnt have had on if there were not medical reasons for the option. DD2 was a vbac, and if I have any more this is the way I would like it.

So to answer your last question, if you wanted an elective c/s for subsequent babies, you would have to go private, or if your first birth has major complications/trauma or results in a c/s you would be more then likely given the option for a c/s as a public patient

Its great your thinking about it all but just relax and let nature do her stuff

.

That everything will be smooth sailing. It sounds like you are on the right track with the water birth and midwife care. Good Luck

**Angelmist♥** · 09-09-2006 22:07

I've known a few women now who have walked in on their first public hospital appointment and forcefully told the MW or OB/GYN they are having a c/sect.If that's what you want to do, tell them.They are there to support your birth whichever way you choose.

I know it can be hard because TBH some MW's are downright rotten people

but you have to stand up for yourself and what you want.

**Ashleigh<3** · 10-09-2006 01:58

I had a feeling that it may be under private health care.

But then again with what you said nara, I have heard of ladies doing that as well.

Well ladies continue to post, still interested in finding out more about it!

**tickle** · 10-09-2006 07:58

The midwives and drs will try and discourage having an unnecessary c/section as it is much more risky than a v/birth, not to mention a harder recovery. Here's some info about c/sections for you.

http://www.childbirth.org/section/CSFact.html

**Ashleigh<3** · 10-09-2006 13:53

Thank you tickle!

**TigerBlueBear** · 10-09-2006 16:49

Hi Ashleigh,

Tickle is right, the reason that "non medical" caesareans are discouraged in the public sector is because there is an immediate risk to both you and the baby. More women and babies die or suffer injury from elective caesareans for non medical reasons than those mothers who have a vaginal birth.

Additionally there are also long term consequences of caesareans including increased risk of future caesareans, uterine rupture, infertility, unexplained still birth and a number of other issues.

However the others are right you do have the right to demand whatever birth you want including a caesaren for purely personal reasons - even in the public system. You will find less OBs who are willing to do this but if you are insistent you will be able to get one.

As a woman who has had both I would choose the VB over the csec any day. VB seems scary especially your first time but if you prepare yourself and know what might happen and how you want to deal with it and also ensure that you have a good support team around you, you will be amazed at the inner strength you will find. I wish someone had told me the first time but the best advice I could give any first timer is get a doula, learn hypnobirthing and as soon as you can get into water (preferably a bath - you don't have to give birth there but it is fantastic for pain relief). My other saviour was a great remedy called Rescue Remedy which you can get from the chemist without a prescription.

**Ashleigh<3** · 10-09-2006 18:02

Wow! Thanks for the advice/information too tigerbluebear!

I really want to have a succesful water birth but i'm just worried something will go wrong. My baby has made it quite clear at all of my MW appointments that they like to move lots and lots and so i may have my little one doing somersaults all the way till my water breaks. This is what scares me because i know if my baby is laying the wrong way and their heartrate drops i have to have a c-section. And the midwives have told me that because i'm booked in at a low-risk maternity ward i will have to be sent half an hour down the road in an abulance and apart of me worries that that half an hour could just send my baby into a far worse stage.

**tickle** · 11-09-2006 07:54

I agree with TigerBlueBear. I have had both a c/sec and a v/birth and I would choose the v/birth for sure. I would also suggest, if you choose a v/birth, to research as much as possible into ways you could reduce the risk of having an emergency c/section, e.g avoid induction, epidural etc. It is certainly no guarantee but it will reduce you chances of needing one.
Good luck with your decision.

**Ashleigh<3** · 11-09-2006 08:06

Thank�s Tickle,

I�m definitely not considering a caesarean, this has been my birth plan route for quite some time, so I guess I am doing just what you suggested.

I�m preparing myself for different scenarios. Such as having to have an emergency-c.
Well that is refreshing, the hospital I�m booked in at don�t do epidurals, only the gas.
So if I am in the situation where I have to have an epidural I�d have to be at a different hospital that does them.