Comments on: Should women have the right to demand a C-section?

By: Karen

Karen — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 10:44:09 +0000

I had a “natural” delivery first time round. Tore so badly I needed 25 stitches internally, 10 externally, 2.5 hours of surgery, a blood transfusion to replace the blood I lost because my daughter was so badly positioned when she was delivered she shredded me and ripped vessels open, and took 2 years to be heal, with a lot of medical input plus the pshycological help I needed for the PPD that was mostly a result of all of this. When I was pregnant with my son, at my first ante natal appointment, my midwife brushed off my fears about what had happened, that I “didn’t need” a planned maternal request c section (what I wanted) and that it “wouldn’t be allowed”. Thankfully, I stood up for myself, read the then guidelines, insisted on seeing an OB who read my notes, examined the scar tissue that to this day is still painful and told me in no uncertain terms that “if you want and feel you need a c section, then that is what you shall have, I’m not going to put you through a natural birth if you don’t want to. We could see if we can prevent further damage, but I can’t promise it, so we will do what you want to do”.
I did have a natural second birth, but was booked for a ECS all the way through. His birth ended up being ok, but if we get pregnant again, I likely will be requesting a c section as I still have issues from the first birth that another large baby (he was 4.2kg) will worsen further.
If a woman wants a c section and has all the relevent information and advice, it’s her choice. I think very few women would actively choose major surgery lightly, there is usually a good reason behind it, but unfortunately the “natural childbirth movement” and the militant advocates make these reasons seem trite.

By: Boo Roo and Tigger Too

Boo Roo and Tigger Too — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 02:25:07 +0000

I had both of my children by emergency C-section. I opted for a VBAC with Tigger and luckily my consultant was happy for me to try this, in the end it ended up as another c-section. Opting to be induced, try for a VBAC or requesting a c-section should be a joint decision between the patient and her medical team. Only when both sides have all the facts can they both feel the right decision can be made.

By: Pictures from our mini Halloween celebration | Yellow Days

Pictures from our mini Halloween celebration | Yellow Days — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 21:50:30 +0000

[…] [This year I am again going to attempt NaBloPoMo (or National Blog Post Month) which means I'll be trying to post everyday for the month of November (please don't get bored of me!). On 1st November last year I was writing about the changes to the NICE guidelines regarding planned C-sections.] […]

By: My Favourite Posts | Yellow Days

My Favourite Posts | Yellow Days — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:23:27 +0000

[…] Should women be allowed to demand a C-section? – The announcement that all women would be ‘entitled’ to a C-section caused a bit of a uproar but I felt strongly that the reporting wasn’t reflecting what the new guidelines actually said so I did a bit of research and here’s what I found. […]

By: Was NaBloPoMo a good idea? | Yellow Days

Was NaBloPoMo a good idea? | Yellow Days — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:50:30 +0000

[…] Should women be allowed to demand a C-section? […]

By: catparrott

catparrott — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:24:48 +0000

In reply to Muddling Along. Yes, they are a guideline for what doctors/NHS Trusts should do rather than a rule but in my experience there would need to be a very good clinical reason for them to deviate from NICE guidance once it has been adopted. Patients on the other hand can ignore guidance completely and often do ;)

By: Best of BritMums Blog Carnival – 8th November 2011 | A Small Hand In Mine

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:10:57 +0000

[…] to spark thoughtful debate from two bloggers, Yellow Days and The Mum Blog who have both written about the current proposal – should women be allowed […]

By: Muddling Along

Muddling Along — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:24:07 +0000

For me the interesting bit around the reporting is that this is a guideline and not a right – the guidelines say you can opt to not be induced at 42 weeks but how often is that adhered to?

Better education, better support during labour, more midwives are going to be key to better outcomes, not 300 pages of framework

By: catparrott

catparrott — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:14:16 +0000

In reply to CameraShy. Well said! I do wonder who all these 'lazy' mums are that would rather have a section. I've never met one and I have a feeling they might be a myth.

By: catparrott

catparrott — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:58:29 +0000

In reply to Mum2babyinsomniac. It's all just a means to an end really, isn't it? We've all had such different experiences that it's hard to put ourselves in each other's shoes. Thanks for commenting. x