Elective C-Section Question...

[Keira]

Hi Everyone!

Just wondering how many of you had an elective c-section through a public hospital? And if it's different going through private vs. public?

I spoke to someone the other day who works at the hospital i want to go to and she said that with elective c-sections, if you go through a private hospital you can just tell them what you want and how you want it, where as through public, you have to put your case forward with valid reasons why and really sell the idea of an elective to your doctor in order to get one!

Does that sound right? Im so confused about it all!

Keira

[Keira]

Hi Niass,

So far, ive only seen a GP to do bloods/urine tests and ive had the NT scan through a referral from GP, so i actually haven't seen anyone regarding antenatal care yet!

I don't have private health insurance otherwise i would go private!

Who actually makes the end decision to say yes for an elective?

[Pandora]

Kiera, that sounds right. Especially in NSW.
See here
and here

[Keira]

thanks Shannon

[Keira]

Thanks Niass,

I think i'm actually torn between vaginally and c-sec... but maybe leaning more towards the c-sec.

I thought i had better find out all the info i can regarding birth options and how it all works with the hospital/OB/Midwives etc, because so far i'm a bit clueless!

Did you have a good experience with yours out of curiosity?!

[Keira]

Niass! (i thought the same thing when i wrote that "torn" comment)

I've already had people laugh out loud to my face(!!) when i said i was thinking about an elective c-sec!! And one of them has had 2 c-sections!! I found that unbelievable! I don't know why people judge like that, its not their body anyway!!!

[Lynn]

Niass;757156
And the negative comments and 'vibes' you get from alot of people who think c.sar means your not as much of a women as them - (because they laboured for 3days & they pushed out a 10lb baby with no drugs etc!)

That is appauling! Why do people think that they can judge you. They don't know your circumstances or situation. Who gives them a right to comment about a decision that you made because it was the best decision for YOU.

BTW - I have not had a c/s, I birthed my son vaginally but I don't judge anyone for whatever birthing option they want, because it is not my decision and I don't know their situation.

Keira - Good luck with whatever decision you make. Wishing you a H&H pg.

[Pandora]

And the negative comments and 'vibes' you get from alot of people who think c.sar means your not as much of a women as them - (because they laboured for 3days & they pushed out a 10lb baby with no drugs etc!)

Thats terrible Niass. As someone who is deathly afraid of having to have a c/s, it's not something I'd advocate to someone as a first option (if they were otherwise fit/healthy etc) but I'd never think the above about someone who had a c/s, elective or otherwise.

Just wanted people to know that no everyone who's pro VB shares the quoted opinion. I'm not doubting that some do, but I think its sad.

[Keira]

Thanks Lynn!

I'm glad there are women out there who don't judge! I've already copped a lot of negativity and i'm only 13 weeks along... even my best friend (who is a lesbian and doesn't want children) was questioning why i was thinking about a c-sec and even tried to convince me to go for a vaginal birth.... not sure if that was meant to be her way of caring though!

[~breeze~]

I don't judge people on the choice they make when it comes to giving birth to their baby, I do however give my opinion... & that is to PLEASE RESEARCH! Find out the goods & bads of both C-Sec & Vaginal, there is a good & bad side to everything but you may find one outweighs the other when it comes to the "goods".
When I first fell pregnant in 2003 I told my husband I wanted an elective c-sec. This was, I admit, for selfish reasons... I said "why should I go through the pain if I dont have to" which is true to some extent. But then I asked alot of people their personal experiences, I asked a few midwives & doctors & I found the best choice (for me) was vaginal. Not only is the C-sec major surgery but the recovery period was alot longer, apparently you cant drive for weeks, lift heavy things (washing etc) including your baby on your own & ontop of all this your on medication to help with the pain! Now as I said, this is only what I've been told & every birth is different so I couldn't say what it would be like for you.
Of course with the vaginal birth you run the risk of tearing (which I did). I had a 3rd degree tear which stopped just short of my bottom, this was uncomfortable for about a week I think... especially when I needed to go to the toilet!!! But after that week or so it's been fine ever since. An obvious "bad" to vaginal birth is the labour... you dont know how long its going to be etc, I'm not going to lie, it was painful! I chose to have an epidural & this took away all the pain, it was fantastic!!
As I said before, every labour is different & its your choice to do whats best for you & your baby, dont let peoples stupid comments (people laughing in your face when you tell them etc) make you feel you need to do something you dont want to do.
Just please take your time to make the best choice for you.
I hope I haven't sounded bossy...
GOOD LUCK!!
~ Danielle

[Keira]

Danielle - thankyou for you opinion, you didnt sound bossy at all!! haha

Thankyou to everyone for all your replies, and i think now i will be able to make a more informed choice... i like the idea of natural, but im just not sure which will be better? But at least i've got 6 months to do all my research!!

And as long as my bubba comes our healthy, ultimately i'll be very happy no matter which option i go with!

Thanks again everyone!

[christy]

Keira there is so much information out there, I had a c/s with my first and a vaginal with my second after much reading and fighting for it. My public hospital would have been happy for me to have a c/s the second time, and I actually had to fight to have a vaginal birth... I did heaps of research and made decisions with my husband about my choices, the hospital didn't give me options so I had to find them for myself.

Good luck in your journey! I would suggest getting some books out and having a read about both sides before you make your decision

[Kirsty77]

I had an elective c/s with my second daughter through the public system. I had a fantastic experience I must say. Midwives were brillant and the docs. I had Jasmine at 8.30am and that evening I was up and about and even had a shower. The recovery period though does depend on the person. I've had 2 c/s's and have recovered so quick.Within 10days of both I had my staples out and was nearly back to normal. Just remember though that the ideal recovery time is 6 weeks and even if you are feeling fab afterwards you still have to take it easy for at least 3 months to give your 'insides' a chance to heal.

Goodluck with your choice. Don't let anyone sway your decision. That was the hardest part for me as everyone I spoke to about elective c/'s frowned upon them. Not nice when your trying to make the decision for you not them!

[tommysmum]

Keira

Sounds like you would prefer to have a CS ? If so any particular reason over a Vag birth ??

I have had 2 V.births and as others have said much better healing (and a great experience). Also i don't know if midwives would go for an elective CS - they prefer V.birth i would think.

SAying this, my next birth(s) will be CS as i cannot risk going through another V.birth and losing another baby (my last baby died due to a labour complication). I would prefer doing a V.birth any day but i just cannot risk it (would never forgive myself if something happened). Apparently i can "demand" a CS whether i go public or private (because of what happened).

I am going private this time round and will go for CS - for obvious medical reasons.

Just weigh up your options and the pro's and con's of both and get lots of feedback from people - there are justified reasons for both options. Good luck with what you choose to do.

My two sis' have had C/S for medical reasons (one had 4 and the other has had 2). THe one who had 4 was walking about straight after no problem - you coulnd't even tell she had surgery - amazing !

[aussienic]

for my 3rd baby I just said I wanted another c/s. the MW told me I would have a fight on my hands. I spoke to the Dr he said sure.. why, I said because I have had a previous c/s and he was sick and I am not willingly to risk anything.. he said ok..

[Adnil]

This is bringing back all the things people said to me after I had Em. I had a lady ask me in the supermarket line how I gave birth (none of her business!) so I told her & she said "oh, so you cheated". GGrrrrrr! How rude! It really upset me too. Anyway, that's not helping LOL, but yes, some people are just ignorant and judgemental.

In regards to your decision, my advice is to REALLY do your homework. You have a lot of time which is great. Talk to people who have birthed both ways who can really give you an opinion on which was best for them. I know I would have made a different decision if I'd known what I do know. I really was shocked at the recovery time & pain from my C/S (I know some women have great recoveries, I can only speak for myself). It really took a pretty big toll on me.

Good luck with your decision - keep asking lots of questions in the meantime!

ETA - BTW, I'm going for a VB this time around, if that gives you an idea of how I now feel about C/Ss.

[Lynn]

Linda - once again I am shocked! What type of a person asks you how you birthed your baby. I have had many friends and other people around me give birth. I have never once asked how the baby was born. It never even occurred to me to ask. For one, does it really matter as long as it is healthy, and two, who cares. It is none of my business why they chose to birth their baby the way they did. I am just so sorry that you were confronted by selfish, insensitive, heartless people.

Tommysmum - I feel the same as you. I lost Cooper to a cord accident. I have sat here thinking how do I give birth vaginally again. I really really want to but I could never forgive myself if something happened and I had to birth another sleeping baby. People need to understand that we all make decisions that is best for us and it shouldn't matter how or why we have reached our decision. Why do people care anyway, does it affect them, does it make a difference on their life. I am still weighing up the pros and cons for both but the one thing that sticks out for me is losing another baby. I can't go through this pain again.

[Adnil]

I didn't know you weren't supposed to pick up your baby. I was feeding her etc whenever I wanted, then one of the midwives came & said I was supposed to ask for help!

I was also onto just panadol after about 6 hours because the morphine made me vomit. But I wished I could have had something stronger, the pain really was full on for me.