why would you have a last- minute scedhuled c-section?

[thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat]

friend of mine (39 weeks) is having "complications" and a section in a couple of days. dont know anymore as only got a text and think they want some peace and quiet. Why would they do this - obviously baby is ok (I assume/hope) so it's not a true emergency one but under what circumstances would they decide to do this? any ideas?

[Enid]

high blood pressure?

[Enid]

breech?

[thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat]

I wondered about breach - but it would be quite unusual for then to have only just realised wouldn't it? hadn't thought about bp - that sounds possible

[Yorkiegirl]

I was on the verge of having a last minute planned section with DD2 as I had several placental clots. I managed to avoid it by agreeing not to go too far from the hospital and that I would come in as soon as I started bleeding (spent 4 weeks in hospital before she was born because of this!). It sounds as if she has complications which are not massively urgent but by waiting she puts herself and baby at risk.

[Enid]

baby could have just turned and they dotn want to risk a vag delivery?

cant you ring and check she and baby are OK?

[NotQuiteCockney]

They could be concerned about her running over, because of placental reasons? Delivery might be difficult for other reasons (uterine scarring from miscarriage, fibroids, pelvic issues).

[eidsvold]

placenta not functioning properly anymore - happened to me - went in for a scan - learnt that the baby had no grown for two weeks - poor dopplers..... as baby had a known heart defect - did not want to risk anymore.

[eidsvold]

second time I went over - only cause consultant was happy to let me try for VBAC but at almost 42 weeks dd2 showed no sign of emerging and was a very large baby - concern about scar rupture - registrar wanted to book me in a couple of days after my weekly check ups from 38 weeks - managed to hold off until 42 weeks.

[mrsbang]

I had an unplanned but non-emergency section with my youngest.

Not the same situation as your friend, as I was already in hospital, about to be induced two weeks early (due to potential pre-eclampsia), but he had moved into a breach position (he was heading towards my right hip) quite late on.

[thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat]

thanks everyone - I'm hoping to hear good news tomorrow. she is one of my oldest and dearest friends but I didn't want her to worry about explaining everything when she has more important things to think about, family to keep updated, and her toddler to take care of. she specifically said she'd call me, so I can only sit tight. and of course there is a little bit of me worried that it is something really bad, in which case she will definitely need time before having to tell people. Does anyone know if they normally schedule sections early in the morning? I have a feeling they do.

[eidsvold]

they do but if she is not an emergency, emergency then she will have to wait. With dd1 - I was the emergency and two women were put back until I was done.

With dd2 - I was scheduled to go into theatre at 10.30am did not get into theatre until around 3.30pm. Dd2 was born at 10 to 4. So I would just sit tight and no doubt someone will get back to you.