What are my chances?

I really want an elective this time around after how horribly wrong things went with DS nearly 5 years ago... after a drawn out (72 hours from start to end) labour and crash c-section he had an initial apgar of 0 and it took 6 mins to get him to breathe. I was soooo terrified the whole time... and now the thought of possibly having to rush to get baby out like that all over again scares me to pieces...

There was no known reason for him not to come out. I was fully dilated, he just would not come down.

The only reason I agreed to TTC this one is cos we found out I might be able to have an elective given that I had the crash c-section last time...



So how likely am I to get the elective I want?.... The GP I saw yesterday seems to think the specialist I will see around 30 something weeks will decide whats best for me, regardless of how I FEEL about the labour and birth process... given how scared I am of what might happen... theres only one way it could be worse than last time, and given how long it took to try for this one... I really dont want to think about that possibilty...

How likely am I to get my elective?

Babykatnz - with my experience so far with getting an elective c-section (and this is my first child), you need to make what you want clear right from the beginning with your LMC.

For me, I told my midwife I wanted a c-section at the beginning, my reasons, and also due to my medical history. All of this info was sent in a referral to the hospital when I was 16 weeks (I think, from memory), and I saw the ob/gyn at 20 weeks who gave the ok. He told me that he normally oks c-sections for people who have had one previously. So because of this, mine is paid through the public health system.

I would be pro-active with your LMC right from the start, and state your reasons. If they try to push a vbac into you, just state the reasons why you want an elective c-section again, and that you want a referral sent asap. I know midwives don't get as much for a c-section (but have to be present for the birth), but the midwife I have is fantastic and did not question my decision.

I hope this info helps :-)

As others have said, I'm pretty sure your chances of getting an elective would be high given your past history. I *think* you are assessed though at 30 weeks approx anyway, possibly just a formality?

In Masterton you're pushed to have an ERCS, you really have to fight for the right of choice to VBAC if that's what you want. What I'm getting at is there is no NZ standard procedure that OB's follow, it's just their preference, some are pro VBAC an others anti. If you see an OB who isn't sympathetic to your situation then you have the right to ask to see another.

The other thing I found (in Masterton anyway) was that most independent MW's aren't happy to take on clients who want to elect for a c-section. If these clients want a MW for an LMC then they're encouraged to use the hospital team.

Be straight up from the start and stick to your guns, good luck hun

wow interesting reading..when i was preg in dec my mw was perfectly happy for me to have a c-section or whichever i chose and was going to set up appt with the OB at 20 weeks ish (takes ages to go through) to talk about things..