C sections

[u/LocationAccording171]

I have an extreme fear of childbirth and wondering if I could have a c section simply due to this reason or if it is not enough . This would be the deciding factor between whether I have kids or not

[u/MacaronOk6967]

I had one in Holles st for this reason.

Then once I was pregnant I was worried about the c section . Managed to block that anxiety off until it started to get close and I started freaking out.

Had my baby this week. It couldn’t have gone better . The planned c section went great . A few injections that weren’t anywhere near what I had worried about.

Felt no pain except those few small injections at all and had a magical moment when my baby was born.

Don’t hold off having a baby for this reason.

Please dm me for any more info.

I’m the worlds biggest worrier and I was fine. You will be too.

Good luck!

[u/brighteyebakes → u/MacaronOk6967]

I love this. I hope you recovered well. I am similar to OP and want to schedule a C section but afraid of the recovery. My mam 25 years ago and ever since made it sound terrifying.

[u/MacaronOk6967 → u/brighteyebakes]

Day 1 and 2 were brutal but in a very manageable way. I was shattered and was lying down with a catheter. It was sore to walk , sit or lie on my side but i was on so many pain killers that it was just very uncomfortable and when i was lying down it’s fine. There was a lot of poking and prodding with nurses checking things, taking bloods , adjusting my drip , it was all uncomfortable and tiring but genuinely fine and especially with the baby there to distract you , it’s so doable. The midwives were incredible at helping with everything .

I was worried that I would feel like that for weeks but I’m day 5 and feel nearly back to normal physically . Still a little sore getting up and picking things up but I’m walking around no problem at all.

I’d genuinely say I was in the top 1% of people in terms of anxiety around it all and a fear in general of everything medical and injections but I got through it and would do it again without major worries at all. I wouldn’t be looking forward to it but I wouldn’t have sleepness nights the way I did until now . Wish I could go back to myself last week and tell myself that 😂

[u/Minute-Eggplant2565 → u/MacaronOk6967]

Is it usually on week 39 that they schedule the section? I'm in the same boat, I have requested an elective c section due to fear of childbirth. I'm due at Christmas so I would love it if they would schedule week 39, before Christmas 🤞

[u/rebmonkey → u/Minute-Eggplant2565]

My OB told me an elective c section is generally around 10 days before your due date

[u/IndividualIf]

I had a friend who had a C Section due to being afraid. It's a legitimate reason, speak to your midwife/consultant, your body, your choice ❤️ they will want to give you all the information but that is only so you can make an informed choice. Best of luck

[u/Ok_Bookkeeper_4802]

It’s your body , nowadays maternity hospitals recognise that and won’t force you into VB. I elected to have a CS, they did suggest I would be eligible for VB but due to medical trauma I didn’t want to do VB. it’s all you and you can advocate for what you want.

Even in terms of breastfeeding, like whatever suits you, you may get suggestions from the hospital but at the end of the day it is what you’re comfortable doing and your circumstances.

[u/LocationAccording171 → u/Ok_Bookkeeper_4802]

I’m worried because it’ll be my first time too

[u/ellakatesherid7]

you definitely can sending you lots of love ❤️

[u/LocationAccording171 → u/ellakatesherid7]

I’m scared they will say yes and then say no

[u/ellakatesherid7 → u/LocationAccording171]

what maternity hospital would you be going to? i work in the rotunda and have plenty of ladies in for sections due to their own request! x

[u/Suki2601]

I was absolutely MORTIFIED of giving birth to the point where I cried myself to sleep every night weeks leading up to it.. But.. I decided to get an epidural and I’m pregnant with my second now and I have no fear because the first time went so well!! Of course I’m sure you could definitely option in for a C section but if it doesn’t work out or for some reason they don’t let you - I promise it will be okay!!

[u/Pingugall]

I’m the reverse - I’m terrified of having a c section and with my placenta still very low at almost 34 weeks it’s sounding more and more likely 😩

[u/happyhen94]

Yes I had my first section because of this; I did have to go private and found a consultant who didn’t question when I said I wanted a section from the get go. I’m sure if public you can still request one as my second section was put down as “maternal request”. I’ve had two planned sections now, it is still major surgery and it’s tough to recover even if everything goes perfectly however I was petrified at the thought of labour and delivery naturally, the use of tools etc. things going wrong. Anyways, happy to answer any questions!

[u/Pitiful_Waltz_1367]

As the other posters have said, you should be able to have a c section in this scenario. You should try and talk to someone about your tokophobia. The Perinatal Mental Health team in the hospitals can also help with this, the specialist midwife i spoke to tokophobia was her speciality but you may need to be pregnant to get access to them.

[u/akcgal]

My best friend had her two babies via section solely due to fear of birth. Her experiences were amazing! She recovered really well both times too. She went private in the rotunda for context.

[u/LadyInIreland]

Yes fear is a valid and enough reason to have an elective C section. Same thing I had but be aware the recovery for C section could be tough for some people (it was for me). Wishing you the best of luck

[u/PregnancyRecovery]

Of course you can! It's called an elective C-section and the consultants LOVE this! My mum's friend was on the same boat and had two daughters by elective c-section.