[Guest_misskrys_*]

Yes.

A mothers well being , physical or otherwise will be the primary concern driving the health professionals agreement on this.

If a mother wants a c --section, there is no gounds for a refusal. Why would they want to make a mother have a pregnancy / birth she is clearly not comfortable with?
And if they dont see it that way....then your best interests arent at heart and its time to change health providers.

[tasy]

I'll correct you. Both times it was for me, a case of being cut open to get baby out and yes, no pain afterwards and a very quick recovery. Of course that is not the case for everyone, just as a smooth no tearing, no stitches vaginal birth is not the case for all vaginal birthers.

OP, I had two purely elective Caesars and would do it again if I had to, mine were great experiences.

this is me except i've had 3 c/s.. mine were great, and i requested my first when i was 21.. each to their own

[sahmmum]

Yes I asked and I went through the public system.

[steffijade81]

My Ob asked me which way I would like to birth my baby and that she had no issue with either that it was completely up to me unless complications got in the way which in my case they did. I had a footling breech baby with meconium in my waters that broke at 38 weeks so had a very speedy c section to get her out asap. I think its great that you have the option these days as it should be, its your body, no one should be able to dictate how you choose to birth your child.

[Serenity82]

It does really depend on the woman, her experience, pain threshold etc

I had an emergency c-section for my first, was on my feet within a few hours and felt fine within a week, however I know other people who have had a horrendous time of it.

Second baby I had a VBAC. I healed more quickly with vaginal and I did enjoy it, however again comes down to each individual.

When we have a third, I will opt for a c-section. Healing time will be longer, however with my VBAC, my DS heart rate dropped suddenly and I think he came close to dying, so I will opt for the c-section for my peace of mind.

Childbirth can be dangerous either way, you just have to decide which decision feels right for you.

[BeachedAsBro]

My C/S was 'elective' but in hindsight was necessary. I'll probably go C/S again next time if we have more. I agree, find a care provider to suit your needs public or private & discuss your needs early on.

[mama2carysbailei...]

I have had two vaginal deliveries and both times there has been complications and I have been in the hospital recovering longer than the other mums who had c/s. The second one, the delivery went textbook but had to get put under to manually remove the placenta, which wasn't as easy as they thought. Waking up hours later to a screaming newborn and a white faced daddy was horrible. I sometimes think that if I have a third I should ask for a c-section as I think I would rather be awake than put to sleep again. I think that's why he's almost 4 now and I'm only now contemplating a third as it took me a long time to get over the birth. Although at the back of my mind is that it is still major surgery, and maybe it might be third time lucky! However, I can now understand why some opt for a c/s whereas before the thought of a c/s terrified me.

[loola]

I know several Obstetricians who will do their best to alleviate fears and discourage an elective C/S, I know several others who, when approached by a patient who is informed and educated with regard to the risks of C/S will say yes without a fight.
In the public system there are C/S for what 'others' may deem to be non medical reasons but due to funding etc there will be more resistance and more proof of previous trauma or emotional/mental health issues.
It is all about searching for the right caregiver for your needs.

I had a horrible labour and birth, and was advised to not be induced again due to a reaction and also with the babies size I was unable to get him out as I was 'narrow'? (he was forceps, I haemoragged severly and had a 3rd degree tear) (typical, skinniest part of me is my vagina) and he had a big head and broad shoulders. I probably will go public next time and just use my insurance and hope for a private room, would I be able to seek a C/S as per my previous history and advice from the doctors?

[SylviaPlath]

I went through private and paid a lot of money to my OB and he would only do it if medically required. Turned out it was for me in the end.

If I was your friend, I would be checking for certain that her OB is willing to do this.

Oh, and btw, I had the most horrible recovery. I was still sore after 3 months from my c-section, I couldnt bend for two months without horrible pain. I couldnt bath my son, put the pram together to go for walks or change his nappy on the change table for the first 8 weeks. It was terrible. We ended up moving to my mums house so she could help me.

I have friends who recovered really well from c-sections. It just wasnt the case for me.

[Justaduck]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't recovery from a c-section take a lot longer and is quite painful for quite a while? Does your friend realise it's not just, cut open - get baby out - stitch up, and voila! no pain, no tenderness, no restrictions??

Sorry I think pain & recovery is a very individual thing, it CAN take longer, but not necessarily. I had an elective for medical reasons, both respiratory physician and ob thought it was very likely my larynx would spasm in delivery & I would end up intubated & emergency c-section under general and honestly it was a breeze. Went in, got the spinal, vomited, bub was born, was up and walking as soon as they took the catheter out, showered myself and had very minimal pain, only needed panadol a few times. On the other hand, some of the other Mums from my antenatal class were in at the same time, having trouble getting out of bed and needing the shower chair after having vaginal births.

To answer OPs question yep she certainly can. There was a Mum in the antenatal class before mine who "didn't want to ruin herself" (her words, not mine) down there so had an elective, no questons asked