Consultant

[ema-lou24]

I have an appt with my consultant on tues and if I'm honest im bricking it but I cant understand why?
I had my GTT test done last tues as I had GD with my DD so I will get results of that there.
I have openly admitted to him and my MW that im asking for an elective sectioni saw him at 11weeks and every appt with MW I have mentioned it but it hasnt seemed to have been noted in my notes and I seem to get the brush off of this is your 3rd baby blah blah...

Previous births havent been too bad,but since my DD my back is in critical condition. It was bad when I had her making labour rather painful but I managed but since then ive had a diagnosis and its got considerably worse. I have lower arthritis in spine along with a bulging disc pushing on my sciatic nerve along with a couple of slipped discs so im on some high painkillers for that, that ive been informed are safe to take until 4weeks before birth. Now I have full blown severe SPD to point im struggling to get out of bed and taking me a good 20mins to get off the couch, the thought of having to get up for a wee in middle of night.....id rather pee the bed!
Then my induction with my DD, due to having GD was a complete pharse and took a week of 6 doses of prostin gel (didnt work) a mountain of internals to point I felt I had been gang raped, noting helped as I had risk of cord prolapse if waters broken so all week was just a complete waste of time and by the end of it I was a complete emotional melt down as it took so long plus they kept reminding me that GD can cause still birth etc.. I just wanted her out!

So all in all,im shit scared of labour due to my back issues, not actual labour itself as ive done it twice before. but also fear of having to be induced as well.
Im going on tues hoping I get a definate yes or no to a section,due to my back. I think I have every right to ask for an elective,but im wondering if anyone else has had a similar situation and been granted a section? In noway do I think this is an easier option, ive had abdominal surgery previously and to deal with that and having to look after kids...its not easy and if I didnt have the fear of induction or pain etc due to my back id be pushing for a natural birth but I just cant see me doing it this time. Im not sleeping at night worrying over it.
I just feel im going to get fobbed off but isnt it my right due to it bwing my body and having some sort of general reason for an elective??
I dont feel strong enough mentally or physically to go through a labour,even if it is only a few hrs...this is what he said when I was 11 weeks, that cos its 3rd baby it will probably be a short labour...im not doubting it, but he cant guarantee that as not every labour is the same or as smooth sailing. I had a ventouse/episiotomy delivery with my DS, he was 9lb7oz without GD and I had a normal birth with my DD only having a slight tear and she was 7lb 11oz with GD. Both labours where approx 9 hrs from waters being broken, was induced with both. DS due to being 11days overdue and DD due to GD. Induction with DS was a breeze, went in at morning,was already 2cm and waters broken by 10am, no problem. Induction with DD, a week...!
So point proved that no labour or induction is the same so im no taking that my 3rd could be less etc.

I have a friend whos had real quick labours with all her kids,shes just had her 4th and it took 3 days and was a near emergency c sec and all her previous where natural, so again it doesnt matter how many you have, you cant predict anything when it comes to time and length etc.

Any advice would be appreciated. I feel like its all i can think about and I feel I need to know so I can be prepared housewise/ children wise etc if is a section also mentally.
Im sure ive ranted about this somewhere else and I apologise if your sick of hearing it. I just need other peoples advice or opinions x

 

[Sprk]

Write down all of your concerns, so you have a list when you see the consultant. That way you won't forget anything. Be as firm as you can, while trying to be calm. But don't be afraid to show how worried you are. You have real concerns that need to be addressed. If I was in your situation, I'd be asking for a section too! (I had an emergency c with my first and was offered one for this birth, if I wanted it). Sometimes I think mw's (as helpful as they can be) get stuck in the mind frame of.....'you can do this, women have been doing ths for ages...' And forget that each pregnancy is different and has different challenges. All of the consultants I've met during this pregnancy, though, have been very good at discussing my concerns and listening to what I want.

I hope all goes well at your appt.

 

[Hannahjaynev]

I can't imagine the pain you must be going through with your back.
But I just want to say, at 30 weeks I decided I wanted a section because of my mental health problems. At first I was strongly discouraged but I knew it was what I wanted and I was adamant with my consultant (my psychiatrist has already agreed it was probably best) I had the section at 39 weeks and my little girl is now 25 days old.

I don't think I could be happier with the birth. It was such a calm and peaceful but surreal experience.

It is painful after obviously and I imagine with children and your back problems it will be much harder for you. But for the benefits I received mentally for it, I would almost encourage people to consider it if they are anxious or fearful about labour.

One tip is to buy a girdle. I bought a bellefit c section support girdle and the support it offers is incredible. When I put it on day 3 I felt so good I when food shopping. It was a life saver.

I hope you get the birth you want.

X

 

[BunnyN]

NICE and NHS guidlines say that any woman has the right to request a CS, even with no medical reason. They can require you to do counciling but ultimately it is your choice. I think most women have found they have to be quite persistent but will get what they ask for in the end. You also have the right to refuse induction.

 

[ema-lou24]

I had my appointment and feel slightly more relaxed about it. I had same consultant I got when pregnant with my DD and thankfully he remembered me and my back issues then etc.
I got a growth scan of our Lil man too, I wasn't expecting that so it was a nice surprise. Everything growing fine and on track but wants me in again at 34 weeks for another growth scan as my DS was a big lad and then my DD being quite petite so just keeping an extra eye on him so can't complain.

Explained my fears regarding induction and he agreed I Will not be put through that again. I stated it's got to the point I'd rather a section than induction and he feels that a section although I can have if I really wish, he's thinking ahead of recovery with a newborn and my kids along with my back condition so would rather I avoided it which I am deep down happy with but It is still very much in my head as an option if for whatever reason I might need induced. I thankfully don't have GD again which is a huge relief so just got to hope that all goes ok with scans etc that I don't have any reason for an induction. He won't let me go anymore than 11 days over my due date and if for whatever reason our Lil man doesn't arrive then, then I will be asked to go in and have my waters broken, if when I go and they can't be broken I will be given a section....due to refusal of induction. I don't mind them trying to break waters it's when they start with gels etc....not doing it and he was in agreement with me.
I have to meet up with anathesist to get my back assessed as he has put in my notes that if I get waters broken and want an epidural as soon as broken then it needs to be done ASAP due to my back but I have told him if I'm able to get them broken I would like to try on my own for as long as possible but he said he will have anathesist on standby anyways.
He also mentioned if all goes well I could possibly get into the birthing pool. I've always wanted one but due to being induced and having to be monitored constantly due to GD etc I wasn't allowed so im hoping i can this time but u so explained to him my birth plan is wide open....I just want him here and for us to be safe so do whatever it takes for that to happen and if I don't get the birth pool then so be it.

So all in all I feel a Lil more relaxed. Still worried about the thought of going in there and them not able to break my waters and try get me to do the gels etc. ..cos I will actually flip lol.

He confirmed I am suffering with severe SPD and also saw my notes regarding back as since last time he saw me I've had an mri scan and also local anathetic/steroid injections into my lower spine and sacroiliac joint so has asked me to get a support brace. Also the medication I'm on for my back, my doc kept telling me to be off them 4 weeks before birth, consultant told me that obviously if I can then great but not to beat myself up if I can't. He said I'm already in shit loads of pain so why suffer more for 4 weeks. He's said he's not concerned of I go into labour and I'm still having to take the painkillers, he said it might just mean I have to stay in hospital for a couple days after birth for us both to be monitored. Obviously I'm going to try my hardest to be off them for his arrival but on days when it's real bad and I can't get out of bed, he says I've to just take them cos it's not gonna do any harm.
I'd much prefer not to be on them though so just going to take each day as it comes

Excited to see my Lil man again. We saw his face and it was all chubby. Adorable.
Just glad all is growing as should be and developing as he should too. I was worried there would be problems due to the tablets I take so I'm thankful and counting my stars he's ok xx

 

[Sprk]

Just came online to have a quick read before work.....I am so glad to read you had a good experience! It is wonderful to find a dr that is so supportive of your needs and wants, is patient, and willing to listen and explain all the concerns involved. Happy t hear you had a scan and all is good. I everything goes smoothly for you from here on out

 

[BunnyN]

Thanks for updating us. So glad he was supportive. It sounds like he was really switched on.