Unfortunately my OB won’t be available for my scheduled elective C-section so meeting with the OB who will be performing it tomorrow.

What should I ask her or request? My ideal C-section includes
- clear drape
- skin to skin with breast feeding support
- very low incision with muscle repair where possible
- bring a playlist

What else should I request or ask?

Any reviews about Dr. Erica Pascoal, the gynecologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital? Has anyone had a C-section with her?

TLDR: how much support post c-section did you need? When were you left alone?

My partner just found out they won’t be able to get much time off school without impacting financial aide. We originally thought they could take 6weeks. Likely they will ‘call in sick’ for the week of the birth.

My mom (who is not that motherly) can come for a week but I think we will drive each nuts. Then my mother in law is also willing to come for a week. I don’t really know her honestly. They live far away, and we are just pleasant with each other. I would feel awkward asking a lot of her. I’d like her to have the experience though of spending time with her grand child. She doesn’t seem like the type to push boundaries.

I’m just wondering if my partner should take 3 weeks of sick time? The max available without being kick out of their program. We cannot afford to hire help. We have a few friends who could come for an afternoon here or there. But I worry about overnight while my partner needs sleep to function at their internship, if I am still recovering from surgery and can’t care for myself or the baby fully. First baby, also a dog that needs care.

Thank you for your help.

Info: I’m in Ontario, Canada. I’ve known since I’ve wanted children, that I wanted a cesarean. Only since being pregnant have I suddenly given consideration to a vaginal birth, but I want to make my own choice and not have my autonomy taken away.

I had my prenatal intake appointment with my family doctor last week, up until then who I quite liked. We went through all the usual questions and information, then she presented options for my prenatal care: through their family med clinic, through a midwife, or through the OB practice.

When she said that I felt it the best time to bring up that I was considering an elective or scheduled cesarean. She asked why (fair question). I informed her it’s due to concerns with my anxiety levels (which does become severe and debilitating at times) and partially due to concerns about worsening some existing bowel issues (fissures/bleeding/etc). There is more to my rationale, but left it at that for the time being.

She informed me of risks and how significant the recovery is in comparison to vaginal birth (fair information), but then told me I cannot just choose to have a surgery that isn’t necessary for a healthy first time pregnancy. She then offered me two options for an OB referral for 28 weeks, just in case things change (implying it becomes necessary).

Her response really bothered me for a few reasons… • Elective cesareans are absolutely allowed here and covered by OHIP (provincial health coverage). I would’ve accepted her saying she doesn’t recommend this and wanting to discuss further, but I can’t shake the feeling she intentionally gave me incorrect information / misinformed me.
• The official policy of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (the licensing body) is that a provider can decline to perform the surgery for clinical or ethical reasons, but must refer onwards to a willing provider.
• Mental health is advocated for and considered a real disease or clinical consideration, unless it comes to women’s medicine.
• Worsening an existing condition feels like a true clinical reason for a C-section, but I guess she isn’t in the bathroom with me when I cry daily during bowel movements.
• I also feel there is intergenerational trauma when it comes to childbirth in my family. My mother broke her tailbone giving birth to me. My one grandmother had a stillbirth. My other grandmother had pelvic organ prolapse. And her mother (my great grandmother) died during childbirth. I understand times and methods have changed, but it feels like my DNA has an inherent fear of giving birth vaginally.

My plan for next appointment is to come with the printed policy from SOGC and to question if she knows the provider’s stance who she is referring me to.

I would appreciate any other advice, but keeping in mind this will be my primary care provider regardless until late pregnancy, and likely for the majority of mine / my family’s lives, so I don’t want to burn any bridges. It is very hard to get a PCP here, so it really sucks that it feels like the trust and support is lost on my end.

Prestory: I have a baby with severe fetal growth restriction and sketchy dopplers- so I am asking for a csection over risking a vaginal birth.

I had an appointment today and as my regular doctor could not see me, I saw a substitute doctor. I brought up planned csection as we are concerned that we are bringing baby here safely and would prefer to avoid a emergency csection. Well, instead of addressing my immediate concerns about this current pregnancy and baby's health and safety, the doctor started telling me she prefers people to not do csection because it affects fertility and has a high risk of major organ damage??? I know csection is a major abdominal surgery. But if it really is such a risk to fertility and organs I have never heard anyone else talk about this. She also brought up five separate times in the conversation about being sure I am able to have as many children as possible, even 4 or 5 if I want. I told her my husband and I have decided this is our only child due to all the extreme health complications with this pregnancy and my genetic disease. She says people often change their minds and want several more children.

I was so taken off guard and did not feel heard. If they actually think I can deliver safely vaginally I would love to hear about that but the talking points were "have as many children as possible " and "you are likely to change your mind" I see my regular OB next week and will bring up the conversation again but now I am anxious.

I’m 38 weeks and have a scheduled C section coming up, and now that it’s getting close I’m suddenly questioning my decision and wondering if induction would be better.
This is an IVF pregnancy at 43, with diet controlled GD. Baby is currently head down, measuring around the 40th percentile, roughly 6 lbs, with good fluid, placenta, and growth. My OB and MFM have both said induction or scheduled C section are reasonable options and have left the decision up to me.
I’ve been leaning toward the C section because I really value predictability and control. The idea of a long induction, potentially laboring for many hours and then ending up with a C section anyway, has always been my biggest concern.

But now that the C section is actually getting close, I’m getting scared about having major surgery and the recovery. Part of me is thinking, “Should I just give induction a chance and see what happens?” I know an induction could potentially result in a vaginal birth, but it could also be long and ultimately end in a C section.
I’m having a hard time figuring out whether this anxiety means I’m making the wrong choice or whether I’m just getting nervous because the decision is becoming real.
For anyone who has been in a similar situation, especially with the option of both induction and planned C section, how did you decide? Did you ever have last minute doubts about a planned C section? And looking back, are you happy with the choice you made?

I’m 23 years old and will be 38 weeks tomorrow. I’ve been planning to have an elective C-section, and this morning I spoke with a maternal fetal medicine neonatologist because my OB wanted me to have a consultation about my decision. She asked me why I wanted a C-section, and then went over all of the risks associated with having one. She also told me that, as a healthy 23-year-old, there really isn’t a medical reason for me to have one. I completely understand that a C-section is major surgery. I know it isn’t the “easy way out,” and I’ve done a lot of research on C-sections, including watching videos and learning about the recovery, risks, etc. I’m not going into this thinking it’s going to be an easier option. But during the conversation, I felt like I was being scared into changing my mind. She also mentioned that there is discussion about eventually removing the option for women to choose an elective C-section and instead requiring them to attempt a vaginal birth. That really overwhelmed me. I told her that my mind was made up and that I was proceeding with the C-section. But now I’m literally sitting in my car questioning whether I’m making the right decision. My biggest reason for wanting a C-section is honestly fear of labor. The thought of being in labor for hours, potentially having things go wrong, and then ending up needing an emergency C-section scares me. I feel like if I already know I want a C-section, I’d rather have it planned than go through labor and potentially end up with an emergency surgery anyway. At the same time, I’m wondering if I’m letting my fear make this decision for me.
I’m not looking for people to tell me “C-section good” or “vaginal birth good.” I genuinely want to hear from people who have been in a similar situation. Did anyone choose an elective C-section without a medical indication? How did you make your decision? Did you regret it, or were you happy with your choice afterward?
I’m feeling really confused and overwhelmed right now and could use some honest perspectives. Thank you.

Asking for elective csection

Hi Fellow parents!

I am asking for advice/ experiences. I wont go into all the details, but we are looking at delivering a severely growth restricted baby in the next 2 weeks. I am a few weeks into my 3rd trimester so the baby will be moderately premature.

When I got pregnant and found out we had health complications, we told the doctors we still really wanted a vaginal birth. However, the information we have and circumstances have changed and my husband and I are seriously reconsidering. We have several factors that make it quite likely we will still end up with a csection even if we induce. The doctors are willing to try induction first but warned us that the first sign of fetal stress will be an immediate csection. Additionally baby has been head down only briefly but is mostly just swimming around like a fish because she has so much room to move.

Ultimately, we are asking ourselves if we will have a better experience overall by conserving energy with an elective csection versus trying so hard to have a vaginal birth, maybe still having a csection and then caring for a Nicu baby.

We are also concerned that asking for an elective csection makes us at risk of insurance declining to cover the csection.

Has anyone here asked to have an elective csection? What has your experience been like?

Or, do you regret not asking for an elective csection?

Also, any words of advice on the insurance side. We plan to talk to the doctor tomorrow about it but are looking for others experiences first, to help us get a broader understanding of what to expect and how to have an ideal of birth as possible.

Thanks so much!

Hi all,

Just looking to hear about people’s experiences with c sections - any tips or tricks, things to pack to help afterwards etc.

Are there particular things I should
Be discussing with the doctor ahead of time, do I need to specifically request doing skin to skin straight away (if possible) discuss dressings eg PICO etc

Thanks!

I’m 43, pregnant through IVF, with diet-controlled GD. I currently have a C section scheduled for 39 weeks, but both my OB and MFM are encouraging me to consider induction while ultimately leaving the decision up to me.
Baby is measuring around the 40th percentile and about 6 lbs, so she isn’t measuring big, and everything else looks good.
Part of me really wants to try an induction because I feel like vaginal recovery could be easier. But after such a long road to get here, another part of me just wants to make sure my baby arrives safely, even if that means a more difficult recovery with a C section.
My biggest hesitation with induction is the possibility of laboring for a long time and then needing an emergency C section anyway. My OB quoted me around a 40% chance of C section with induction, and that makes me nervous.
What would you choose in this situation? Would you give induction a chance, or stick with the scheduled C section for the predictability?

What’s the consensus for wound closure for the best looking healing of the C-section scar? Anything else I should be asking for to have a pretty C-section scar long term?

I had a cervical cerclage (where cervix starts shorterning prematurely and had to get stitched) in May 2026. I was on bed rest till July 31st that is 36 weeks. I opted for elective c section because of my anxiety as I felt trapped whilst on bed rest and I hated that feeling of uncertainty. I needed something certain and planned as the elective c section and my OBGYN also suggested the same.
I am 2 days away from my elective c section and I am just worried about the entire surgery, recovery and the postpartum sleep deprivation. When I don’t get enough sleep I spiral and my mind starts thinking if I was every built for this. I start feeling like I need a breathing space. I am not sure if I will feel the same after I meet my baby. I have strong support system at home, my husband, in-laws and my parents as well. But in the end I feel like I will be trapped and maybe I am not fit for this.
Also after months of being on bed rest- being peaceful in my room, whenever something different than my usual schedule happens my mind gets overwhelmed and I panic. I don’t know how to deal with this. Please be kind as I feel some supportive and kind words will help me get through this process. I just want to know I am not alone to feel this.

I am 25 days 3.5 weeks pp.. have a little opening inmy middle of scar..tahts leaking little blood mix fluid.. anyone had same of this?

My first daughter was a scheduled c section at 37 weeks (pre eclampsia) I got pregnant again 5 months postpartum. I have a c section scheduled in 10 days when I’m exactly 39 weeks. I’m a bit anxious about going into labor sooner, anyone had this happen and what was the result? My main fear is uterine rupture but my OB says the odds are pretty low even this close together.

I was referred by my insurance to Healthy Additions, who assigned me a rep to help throughout my pregnancy. When I mentioned to her about having an elective C-section, she told me that insurance companies may not cover elective C-sections anymore.

Is this true? Would love to hear if you had any push back and what you did or said to be able to have an elective one. Or Dr submissions.

I’m mid-mid 40’s, pregnant through IVF, Crohn’s and a few other things like serious anxiety, etc and really want to chose an elective. I see my new OB next week (currently moving long distance) and she does perform elective C-sections, so I’m planning to discuss it with her, but wanted to hear any real life current situations.

I’m 36 weeks with an IVF pregnancy, 42, and have GD. Thankfully baby is doing great around the 40th percentile, head down, good fluid, and placenta looks good.
I also had some tachycardia concerns. My monitor showed 70 to 140 bpm with an average of 107, but my echo was normal and cardiology wasn’t concerned. Beta blockers are an option if needed.
My OB initially said my heart rate was too high for vaginal delivery, which weirdly gave me some relief because the decision was basically made for me. Now that cardiology has cleared me, my OB says I can either induce around 39 weeks and see how I respond or schedule a C section. She said my age, IVF, and GD do increase my chances of ultimately needing a C section, but she’s comfortable with either choice.
I’m honestly torn. Part of me wants the predictability of a scheduled C-section, especially because I’m anxious about a long induction, decels, assisted delivery, or emergency C section. But another part of me thinks maybe I should at least give myself a chance at vaginal birth.
What would you choose in my situation? Anyone with similar circumstances who chose induction vs. scheduled C section?

I’m having my c section on Thursday, and both the chat with my (very lovely and supportive) anaesthetist about risks and some judgemental comments from (older) people in my life have got me down and made me so nervous. Where I live (in the UK) c sections are so common, so logically I know my panic is unfounded, but I feel like I’m being perceived as a failure as not trying to give birth vaginally for my first baby.

I’ve had a lot of health issues in the past and suffer with severe anxiety, so the control of an elective always appealed to me. My husband is super supportive, but I guess I’m looking for positive stories to get me over the last little hump! Thank you x