VBACer's - would like to know how many weeks until hospital want C-section booked for you?

[naturemum]

Hi there - I am due 5th Jan. Just got back from hospital appointment, all fine but the obstetrician has asked that a C-section is booked for 41 weeks. Not very happy with this as I feel that one week is not long enough for nature to take it's course.

DS was born 9lbs 7oz and was stuck after 19 hour home labour including 3(!) hours of pushing. Rushed to hospital - forceps tried twice (!) under spinal anesthetic with the view to go to Caesar. He had got in a very funny position and there was just no other way of getting him out.

Has anyone else been given a 'deadline' by the hospital? And, if so, how long?

[pendulum]

Hi, I am due 20 Sept and my "back stop" c-section is booked for 8 Oct i.e. 42+3! Desperate as I am to avoid a section this time, even I think I will be glad to submit to the knife by then!

Why do they want you booked for 41 weeks? My hospital don't consider you overdue until 42. Perhaps something to do with the size of the baby?

[naturemum]

Hi pendulum - I have an appointment & scan at 38 weeks - so they will be able to see how big the baby is. I do understand that if the baby is big that I may have more trouble delivering - but not necessarily. My friend delivered 10lb baby after C-section with first.

[BlueberryPancake]

My section was booked for 40+6 days but that was my decision. I didn't want to go overdue too much. As it happened I went into labor on my way to hospital for the planned C sec, had full labour but like you, couldn't push baby out so had a second section anyway...

[pendulum]

Unless there are any individual circs why you should not go past 41 weeks then surely you can insist they put the date back. You need to consent to the c-section, after all! I understand that overdue babies can be monitored every few days for signs of distress, maybe this is something to mention as a way of prolonging the pregnancy without increasing the (perceived) risk?

[Klaw]

They can offer you a section at 41wks all they like, only you can agree to it! If you don't, it is your right to refuse and ask for a different date, or none at all. I never booked a section, refused to be induced and my baby arrived at 42+1 scan (or 40+6 lmp).

You can ask for Expectant Management and wait for spontaneous labour. Do your research on normal birth, consider Optimal Foetal Positioning, consider Osteopathy to ensure that your pelvis is well aligned with no problems.

A well positioned big baby puts nice equal pressure on the cervix to aid dilation and upright 'active' positions give your body the best chance to birth your baby.

It's very unfortunate that many people and HCPs concentrate on the negatives and so instill doubt and fear into VBACers minds.

I beleive a successful VBAC is 90% mental preparation and 10% actual birthing! Don't worry too much about what if you get to 42wks and plan more on achieving an empowering experience, then before you know it you'll have birthed by 41wks (most likely).

HTH