Choosing an Elective C-Section: Making an Informed Decision for Your Birth Experience

Choosing an Elective C-Section: Your Birth, Your Way

Making the decision to have an elective caesarean section is deeply personal—and one that deserves support, understanding, and evidence-based guidance. At Beyond the Bump, we believe every parent deserves a positive, empowered birth experience, whatever form that takes. So, let’s talk about choosing a c-section—and why it’s a valid and informed choice, not the ‘easy way out’.

Understanding Elective C-Sections

An elective c-section, also called a planned caesarean, is when you choose to have your baby born via surgery, usually around 39 weeks. This choice can be based on a wide range of reasons—from previous birth trauma or medical conditions, to anxiety or simply what feels right for you and your family. And it's far more common than you might think: around 34% of births in the UK are now by c-section.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and NICE guidelines clearly state that women can choose a caesarean birth even without a medical reason—your informed choice is enough. And that's something we’ll always stand behind.

Why People Choose a Planned Caesarean

• Previous traumatic birth experiences

• Fear of birth (tokophobia)

• Medical concerns or complications

• Control over timing and planning

• Mental health reasons

  
  

We hear time and time again from parents who feel more relaxed, confident, and safe when they know what to expect. Planned doesn’t mean ‘less than’—it’s simply a different path to meeting your baby.

At The Birth & Baby Academy, we fully support your right to choose the birth that’s right for you. That’s why we’ve created an entire section focused on caesareans: exploring what options are available to you, how to make your birth feel calm and personal, how birth partners can offer meaningful support, what recovery looks like in real life, and much more.

Is a C-Section Right for You?

When deciding on any birth plan, it can help to use a simple tool we teach in our Birth & Baby Academy online course: BRAIN:

• Benefits – What are the potential advantages?

• Risks – Are there any downsides or things to prepare for?

• Alternatives – Is there another option worth exploring?

• Instinct – What is your gut feeling telling you?

• Nothing – What happens if we wait or do nothing for now?

If you want support working through this, our free video on Taking Control of Your Birth walks you through this step by step—ideal if you’re still weighing up your choices.

What Happens During a Planned Caesarean?

A planned c-section is carried out in a calm, controlled environment. You're typically awake with a spinal or epidural anaesthetic, your birth partner is beside you, and you can often have music, delayed cord clamping, and skin-to-skin contact straight away.

Some hospitals offer gentle or maternal-assisted caesareans, where you can witness the moment your baby is born or even help lift them out. This is something you can discuss with your midwife or consultant.

In The Birth & Baby Academy, we’ve dedicated an entire section to caesarean births—covering what your options are, how to personalise the experience, how birth partners can support you, what recovery really looks like, and how to feel confident in your choices.

Recovery & What to Expect

It’s true that recovery can be different from a vaginal birth—you’ll need to take it easy, accept help, and give your body time to heal. But with support and rest, many people recover really well.

At Beyond the Bump, we talk about what to expect postnatally (and how to make it easier) in The Birth & Baby Academy. We also offer birth debriefs and birth trauma therapy if past experiences are influencing your decisions now.

You Deserve Respect and Support

Choosing an elective c-section isn’t taking the easy road. It’s making a thoughtful decision based on what’s right for you. And no one else gets to decide that. Your body, your baby, your birth.

If you're considering a c-section or want to explore all your birth options with non-judgemental guidance and evidence-based info, check out The Birth & Baby Academy or watch our free video on Taking Control of Your Birth.

We’re here to walk with you, every step of the way.