Elective C Section once in Labour

[Joy1276]

I’m booked for an elective C Section at end of week 39. Now on week 38. I’m having second thoughts about the C Section, particularly what happens if the baby comes early - either water break or contractions start. I’d always thought I’d then ask for an emergency C section (my consultant has approved this). But I’ve had a couple of discouraging experiences of the consultancy team at my local hospital recently (I be been seen by colleagues rather than by my consultant who it said I’d see on my letter and who I have confidence in). Bottom line I have felt rushed and had no opportunity to talk - consent form was filled in for me and I was just told to sign.

On the other hand I’ve had a lot of good experiences from the midwives at the hospital, and always felt supported and never undermined/ that I was being rushed out the door - they listened.

I guess I am now considering a natural / vaginal birth if baby comes early - but am worried if I turn up at hospital and try for a vaginal birth and then change my mind that I won’t be able to get a c section at that point.

Does anyone know up until what point you can ask for a c section rather than letting labour progress? At what point are you “stuck in for the long haul” - I’m particularly worried about the baby getting stuck/ birth complications as baby was measuring on the big side - but not so big that the consultant said a C section was medically necessary.

does anyone know about this?

I don’t want to try for a vaginal birth and then end up with a traumatic delivery that I could have avoided if I just said yes to the emergency c section if I go into labour early. But equally I don’t want a consultant coming in midway through a vaginal birth and pulling baby out with instruments just to speed it up (which is the impression I get from my last few consultants appointments).

I feel it’s difficult to try to change to a midwife lead birth at this stage.

Anyone with any experience? Thanks.

[Missl73]

I’m a bit confused what you’re asking, are you trying to work out what you want to do if you go into spontaneous labour before your c-section date or are you thinking about opting for a vaginal birth altogether? It’s totally understandable you’re feeling anxious about the birth and wanting to control as much as you can but it’s impossible. I’ve had a traumatic EMCS with my first after many hours of labour and I’ve had a delightful planner CS with my second. The chances of going into labour before your date are pretty slim (although obviously not impossible) so if you don’t want a planned c-section at all anymore you would want to tell the hospital asap. However, if what you’re worried about is going into labour before your CS date, then usually you will be fitted in. It’s not really possible for anyone to advise you on what to do in that situation because it depends on so many factors: 1) why you wanted a planned section originally, 2) how busy the list is that day, 3) how your labour is progressing. I know it’s so hard to hear this but giving birth does involve surrendering a lot of control, you can’t plan for every possible eventuality but if you do want a planned section the chances are it will all go to plan.

[Joy1276 in reply to Missl73]

Sorry it was so confusing. I guess I am just a bit confused / unsure about what to do now. I’ve lost a lot of confidence in the consultancy team. Hence why the question sounded so muddled - sorry.

I guess what I was trying to understand was how far through a vaginal birth you can you say to the medical team “im not happy with how this is going, I’d like to move to a c section” - can you say that after contractions start? After water broken? After how far dilated? Presumably after you start pushing it’s not possible as baby is too far down/ out.

Your answer has been helpful though - thank you. There’s no medical need for the c section other than me being old/ IVF/ and a slightly large baby. Mostly I am paranoid of the baby getting stuck.

[Missl73 in reply to Joy1276]

I don’t know for sure but I would say pretty early. Emergency sections are prioritised based on medical need so there may be others in front of you. With my elective section I was told to immediately let them know if labour so I could go on the list for surgery. If you are in spontaneous labour, progressing well and have no medical need for the CS then you won’t be able to have it unless there happens to be an open spot in theatre.

[Joy1276 in reply to Missl73]

Thank you! That was the info I was looking for!

Now I need to prepare myself for having to potentially face a vaginal birth if baby comes early.

Thanks

[Missl73 in reply to Joy1276]

Yes, but it’s still overwhelmingly likely you will get your c-section 🤞🤞

[Boo718]

hiya I had a c section and honestly it was relaxed and calm and I had a fab experience. My friend had an emergency one and her experience was completely different. It would also depend if they had the space etc for you to chose a c section last minute xxx

[Fruitandflowers]

I had an elective c-section booked on the basis that the consultant said he thought I'd end up as an emergency section if I did try naturally and I just didn't want to take the risk. Plus the baby was very big. I was terrified of going into labour early as I hadn't done any of the 'homework' to prepare for a vaginal delivery (i.e., no classes, exercises etc) and I was scared that it would end up as an emergency. I asked and they said it was quite unlikely I'd be early (especially given my secton date was around 38 weeks) and even if I was, with a first baby it was very unlikely it would go so quickly that I would be beyond having a section as planned. They did caution that there could be a wait behind any emergencies but still said they thought I wouldn't go so far along with a first baby as to be beyond having one on request, but it could never be absolutely guaranteed.

[Joy1276 in reply to Fruitandflowers]

Can I ask, how did it turn out? Did baby just come as planned on your c section date or did it come early - and then did they fit you in for an emergency section?

[Fruitandflowers in reply to Joy1276]

Oh sorry, had the baby by elective c-section on the arranged date. I did think at one point the week before that my waters were breaking and took a trip to the hospital in a panic, only to be told that such delightful leaking is normal towards the end and no my waters were not breaking and I was definitely not in labour. The only thing that was a bit odd was that she was a very large baby and so engaged that she got stuck in my pelvis anyway and that was apparently very tricky to deal with. Rare, but just showed I couldn't have done it vaginally.

[Joy1276 in reply to Fruitandflowers]

Thank you for sharing!

[PenguinBlue]

hi, not sure where you are based but my hospital has a birth options clinic around 34 weeks where they take you through all options. Perhaps calling your midwife to explain your concerns will help and they can offer you something similar prior to your elective . No one should force you into a decision about your body. Best of luck x

[Gerbear22]

Hi.I had an elective c-section booked for 39+1 but she decided to come early at 38+5.Waters broke and contractions started around an hour and a half later.I was a private patient and tried to hold out until my consultant could be contacted but the decision was made for me as my contractions were only minutes apart less than 3 hours after my waters broke.I was asked before they took me to theatre did I want to go naturally but I declined and I’m so glad that I was always set for c section as she was born in a awkward position with one of her legs folded up at her chest so I would never have got her out vaginally.xx

[Zeebee14]

I would advise you to look into hypnobirthing. This covers all eventualities including having a cesarian. Hypnobirthing helps you to keep calm during labour, and make choices that you’re happy with even in stressful situations. It basically takes the fear away from labour, and I was actually excited about it instead of being scared of the pain.

It isn’t about being hypnotised, it’s basically breathing techniques, a technique on how to make decisions when the doctors/midwives are giving you options, and what to do to make the birth a calm and beautiful experience. Even a cesarian can be beautiful, you can have dim lights and your choice of music playing.

I recommend thepositivebirthcompany.co.uk

[Purpledoggy]

I was booked in for elective CS and was told if I go into early labour they physically can’t do it once the head is in the birth canal. I don’t know how it would work in your situation though. It was a great experience and I recovered much faster than my 2 NCT friends who had emergency ones xx

[flamingopher]

If you think you want a section you’re much better having an elective one. Once you start labouring you never know what variables are going to come into play. An elective section is planned and calm. In an emergency you might struggle to stay still for the spinal, baby could be in distress, staff and theatre space could be an issue depending on what else is happening in the department (of course if it’s a real emergency they’ll get you in asap). An elective section is a much more controlled experience. If you want to have a natural labour that’s a great choice too, but you will have to accept that you’ll have much less control over what happens. From a felllow IVF mum xxx

[Sarakht]

hi I was booked for induction at 39 weeks. Did not respond to any medication and no pain all day. So my dr asked me if I wanted to go to the Labour ward or get a c section done. I decided a c section and it was honestly the best decision. So calm so relaxed I had the top team luckily doing mine. So zero complications after surgery and I healed very well. I think everyone is different but there are a lot of people who really scared about a c section. You have to remember even with natural Labour although best there are lots of complications that can occur. Surgery is very quick and advanced now.

[Bozo_the_pumpkin]

I had an emergency c-section 2 days before my elective C was scheduled because of my blood pressure ( although I tried to convince the consultant to allow me to go overdue to have a natural birth 🙄) how glad am I that I had the CS. It was calm and stress free and I was walking stairs a few days later.

[Joy1276]

thank you everyone for all your responses!

Baby arrived last week by planned c section, and as many of you had said about your own experiences - it was very relaxed and strsss free. Beautiful memories of an amazing day. Can’t believe how lucky we are.

Thanks for responding everyone