Interview 08 - Making decisions about birth after caesarean

Age at interview: 40

Brief Outline:

Teacher with a four year old son. Husband is also a teacher. Ethnic background: White British (Scottish). Played by an actor.

Background:

Keen on unassisted birth with first child. Slow to go into labour and dilate. Had epidural and then CS two days after waters broke. Felt cheated at first but adjusted with time. Had planned CS with 2nd child to avoid previous ordeal.

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The consultant told her that in her position she, too, would have opted for a caesarean. This helped to reassure her that she had made the right choice. Played by an actor.

I met a consultant last week who had a little bit of a, an examination of my tummy, and sent me for an extra scan, because they thought perhaps the baby might be slightly small.

But I met with a, a female, a registrar about two months ago and I think she was' she really went over the birth plan with me, which I found most helpful. She was expecting a baby herself so I think she kind of understood.

Right. And can you tell me a little bit more about the discussion that you had with her?

Yeah. She had a good look at the notes and said, 'You know, really, I think if I was in your shoes then I would go for a section, too'. She said just perhaps failure to progress was maybe slightly small or maybe it was a big baby, or, you know, whatever, but just for health reasons, on this occasion she said, 'I really think that, you know, that would be best for you'. So that helped tremendously.