hi

i had spinal surgery at 14 and was told i wouldn't be able to deliver normally. when i first met the consultant he seemed to rubbish this and told me it would be fine. i forced the issue a bit as i was concerned and then strated to suffer realy bad with sciatica. in the ned i was referred to the physio and consultnt anaethstatist. the physio told me i would only be able to deliver in 2 positions - all 4's or on my side with the midwife holding my legs. The anesthatist said i couldn't have a spinal block and although he was willing to TRY an epidural (many others wouldn't so t owuld depend who was on call when i went in) he doubts it would work. I spoke at length to my midwife who thoguht from the outset i shoudl hvae a section and went back to the consultant armed with this info.

He was better second time round and said as the physio had said i couldn't deliver on my back at all this could be a problem as he expected me t need some assistance as i am only small (5ft) and forcepts tc can only be done while you are on your back so i would need a section and then all the problems with the epidural were raised.

basically he said there was no best option medically he was happy to go with a natural birth but on the understadning there was prob higher than 50% chance i would need a section anyway or do a planned section and left the decision to me. i opted for an elective section and am booked in for friday. he is going to perform the op as its a bit complicated but has arranged for someone to try an epidural first with the back up a GA

basically you need to fight your corner. speak to your midwife and they can always tranfer you to another consultant if necessary. stres you need to see an aneasthatist and physio and see what thye say and be prepared for a fight - i didn't actually have one in the ned but i was ready

good luck hunny (sorry it's so long!!)

Hiya my mate has spina bifida and she has two kids.  She had to have a c section under general anasetic, there was no question about it.  A natural delivery was out of the question for her.  Not sure regarding ur cicumstances but im pretty sure u wont have any probs getting an elective section.

hth good luck xx

i had to push quite a lot

i have always been told by doctors back in Poland that when I do have a baby, i will definately have to have a c-sec because of my heart condition and eye problems

here - no, why would you want a c-sec? i had a long argument, i pushed and pushed. i attended all heart clinics and eye doctors to prove my point. it got me nowhere, cause here they like to push the natural birth

but i was not prepared to take the risk and pushed for c-sec and got one in the end

had one in april 2007

was told that second time round it will be a straight forward thing

one thing i did find is that some doctors seem to prefer a natural birth, others favour the c-sec. just have to find the right one. i did. good luck

I would bring it up at your booking in appointment.  It certainly sounds as if you will be under consultant care anyway.  Bring up the prob with regards to epidural/spinal and the consultant may arrange for you to speak to an anesatist.

To be honest if you are to be under consultant care you may find your fears dismissed a bit until you see them.  If the midwife doesnt automaticaly put you under consultant care push for this.

When you have the consultants app go in with a whole load of questions and with a supportive partner.  Stay calm and state your fears and listen carefully to there advice.  If you are unhappy with the advice they give ask for a second opinion.

I admit it, I'm a control freak.

I'm 5ft and 7stone, with size 1 feet and TTC baby#1. I have spina bifida occulta and sciatica and I've already been told the chances of me having a normal delivery are low, and an easy time placing an epidural or spinal is out of the question. And that was before I married a 6ft man with a head too big for xmas cracker hats and size 12 feet!

To me, a natural birth isn't a priority, being in control is. I'd  far rather have a failed spinal and a GA elective section than a long labour, a failed epidural and an emergency GA section. Realistically, I'm looking at one of those two options.

How hard do you think I'll have to push for an elective section?