Could you?

kendallknapp2 · May 2016

Could you request a c-section? I'm not saying that's the way I'd like to go but I haven't really had a chance to think of a birth plan and would like to know all my options.

lblu43 · May 2016

I assume it would depend on your reasoning behind it. Counsel with your doc and medical provider. Speaking personally, for me its option with my LO because of my medical history. (DS cesarian '09 & ruptured ectopic '15). But I don't know anyone who opted for C without preconditions or risks. I'm focusing on a vbac, but a repeat Cs are very common.

kriley602774 · May 2016

I think it may depend on your OB. I had a C section for breech presentation with my first and after discussing options with my doc I'm planning for a repeat C section this time around regardless of LOs presentation.

I have 2 acquaintances though who, to my knowledge, had a C section without having predisposing factors requiring ones. Again, it may be up to what your doctor is comfortable with and also your insurance may pay a role? I'd ask to see.

Nikkoli98 · May 2016

You can certainly request it but it's not a guarantee your doctor will be agreeable without a medical reason. Fortunately or unfortunately, primary elective c-sections have recently come under fire as a public health concern and is now being tracked with data points and used to rank and monitor hospitals and physicians.

In April of 2013 ACOG published a Committee Opinion advising against this practice and it was reaffirmed in 2015. If you type "acog committee opinion 559" into a Google search you can read their position paper.

Consumer Reports published an interesting article last month outlining some data that has recently been tracked. "Your Biggest C-Section Risk May Be Your Hospital"

Sorry I was not able to insert links to either article, hopefully you can find them. It is a discussion you should have with your doctor if you feel strongly, and there may end up being a good medical reason; but overall it's a practice they are trying to get away from if it isn't justifiable, mostly because it can cause complications in subsequent pregnancies.

ballofmeat · May 2016

@Nikkoli98
I just wanted to say you always seem so well informed and I respect a lot of your backed up/research based answers.

Nikkoli98 · May 2016

@midwestbaby, Thank you!
I also appreciate your comments and perspective.

SkiChic626 · May 2016

I think it depends on your doctor. Usually it's not an option unless there is a medically necessary reason for it. I have the option because DD was a c-section. They told me it's completely up to me this time and I can opt for a VBAC if I want, but no thanks, I'll take my scheduled c-section :-) If I did opt for a VBAC, they wouldn't let me go past 41 weeks without being induced, which I wouldn't let them do this time based on my bad experience, or doing a c-section.

Stephanie7693 · May 2016

That's a hard question to have an opinion on without the reason you would consider asking. But as others said, its not something you can just ask for without medical reasons. At least not in most hospitals. If you have medical concerns, your doc would definitely go over your options with you, and at what point a c-section would become acceptable to request.

amandazap · May 2016

I understand you are trying to gauge your options but why the heck would you WANT a c-section? I had an emergency one so I am a little biased as I have been diagnosed with PTSD as a partial result of that experience. Let your body do what it was meant to do. Personally, I would look at a c-section as only a medically necessary option. I would also side-eye any medical professional who would offer it as an alternative to vaginal delivery.

Cshau · May 2016

I would think you can, but I'm sure it's different with every doctor. Doesn't hurt to ask.
I have twin boys who are 8, and my dr gave me the option of a c and a vaginal. Still deciding.

SkiChic626 · May 2016

amandazap said:

I understand you are trying to gauge your options but why the heck would you WANT a c-section? I had an emergency one so I am a little biased as I have been diagnosed with PTSD as a partial result of that experience. Let your body do what it was meant to do. Personally, I would look at a c-section as only a medically necessary option. I would also side-eye any medical professional who would offer it as an alternative to vaginal delivery.

I totally agree that I would side-eye a Dr who gave a c-section as an option "just because." However, I've heard WAY more stories from people I know IRL who have had c-sections with way better outcomes and easier recoveries than I have from people IRL who have given birth naturally. There are obviously some vaginal stories that are good and some c-section stories that are bad, but more often than not I hear horror stories about vaginal birth and that c-sections are a breeze. My c-section experience was also one of those that was a breeze. Mine was not an emergency, but after 2 days of induction with 2cm of progress and baby still at -3 station, possibly with her head tilted, they gave us the option to keep going for a few more hours and see if I dilated anymore or to just be done with it, and we were over it by then so we opted for a c-section, hence why it wasn't an emergency. *Knock on wood* I have the same experience this time, because I'm not opting to try for VBAC, so I'll keep you all posted on that.

paulakathleen · May 2016

I have talked to people who have elected to have a csection, though I'm unsure of the reasoning they used. My doctor will not without a good reason (which is fine by me as that is something I'm keen to avoid). Like I said I know of people who have opted for it for their first births and without previous csections. Talk to your doctor.

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