Can you opt for a c section

There has never been a legal case on the entitlement to maternal request caesarean births. But you have a right to make decisions about the circumstances of your birth under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. This includes the manner in which you give birth. It makes guidelines for health and social care across the UK. NICE guidance is not law so does not give you a legal right to a treatment. But a hospital has to give good, clear reasons if it does not follow NICE guidance.

Birthrights factsheets give you information about your human rights when you are pregnant and giving birth. Birthrights champions respectful care during pregnancy and childbirth by protecting human rights. We provide advice and information to women and birthing people, train doctors and midwives, and campaign to change maternity policy and systems. Disclaimer: Our factsheets provide information about the law in the UK. The information is correct at the time of writing May The law in this area may be subject to change.

Birthrights cannot be held responsible if changes to the law outdate this publication. Birthrights accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from reliance on information contained in this factsheet. Birthrights has provided links to third party websites where these may help provide relevant further information. In others, the surgery is needed due to an unforeseen issue.

If you or your baby is in imminent danger, you'll have an emergency c-section. C-section rates began rising significantly in the mids. Doctors are trying to reduce the use of unnecessary c-sections, but sometimes a cesarean is needed to protect the health of the mother or her baby. Expect your c-section to take 45 minutes to an hour and a half.

Extracting your baby is usually very fast, between 1 to 15 minutes. Suturing your uterus and abdomen closed takes longer. Typically, your partner can be with you during a c-section. He or she will be asked to wear operating room garb and take a seat by your head. In some cases, a c-section is safer for you and your baby than a vaginal delivery. For example, your provider may recommend a planned c-section if:.

Unless there's a medical need to deliver your baby sooner, your caregiver will schedule your surgery for no earlier than 39 weeks. You may need to have an unplanned or emergency c-section if problems arise that make continuing labor dangerous to you or your baby, such as:. Elective c-sections are c-sections that aren't medically necessary, and most healthcare providers advise against them. That's because having an unnecessary c-section is riskier for you than vaginal birth. Also, having an elective c-section increases your chances of needing a c-section with future deliveries.

Medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ACOG , recommend planning for vaginal birth whenever possible. Unless the health of the mother or baby is in danger, ACOG says that the risks associated with a c-section usually outweigh any short-term benefits. Elective or "maternal request" c-sections are uncommon. Reliable numbers are hard to come by, but most experts estimate fewer than 3 in women request a c-section for their first delivery.

Some are afraid of the pain of childbirth, others are worried about complications of vaginal birth like tearing , incontinence and sexual dysfunction , and some feel that a scheduled c-section is easier to plan for than an unpredictable labor and delivery.

If you have any of these concerns, talk to your provider. But because of the risks — including a tougher recovery and a greater chance of complications — be prepared for your doctor or midwife to discourage you from having an elective c-section. However, your provider should be open to an honest conversation about your concerns and needs.

Bring them up early in your pregnancy to allow time for an ongoing discussion. A "gentle c-section" is a name for modifications your labor team can make so that your cesarean delivery feels less clinical and more intimate.

Depending on the circumstances of your delivery, these may or may not be possible. But some women and their partners have personal reasons for wanting to avoid labour and a vaginal birth. When a woman requests to have a C-section even though she has never had one before and there is no medical need for it, this is called an elective primary C-section.

If you're thinking of having an elective primary C-section, it's important to weigh what you want against the risks.

Talk to your doctor about reasons for and against a planned C-section. A C-section is the delivery of a baby through a cut incision in the mother's belly and uterus. Many C-sections are unplanned. They are done because of problems that occur before or during labour. These problems might include:. Some women have personal reasons for wanting a C-section.

It's important to talk openly and honestly with your doctor about your wishes and concerns. In some cases, your doctor may be able to help you feel more confident about vaginal birth. For example, your doctor could discuss the many ways to control pain during labour. Or he or she may explain how often pelvic floor problems happen and what can be done to prevent them.

These discussions may change your mind about planning a C-section. If a C-section is planned for personal reasons, experts recommend that it should be done at 39 weeks or later in the pregnancy. Although most mothers and babies do well after C-section, it is major surgery. It has more risks than a vaginal delivery. The risks of C-section include:.

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