C-Section date - so close to due date?

[GingerLemonade]

Hi all :)

I received my c-section date on Friday and was so excited to open the letter...but then saw that it had been scheduled the day before my due date.

I'm having a c-section for medical reasons, as a natural birth presents a few too many risks due to my health and a genetic condition that I have.

I was told the op' would be during my 39th week - but never did I think it'd be the day before I was due.

Is this normal? Everyone keeps telling me I won't be early, but then there's always that 'what if'.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated :)

[Lj8893]

Is this your first baby?

It's quite normal to have a scheduled date within your 39th week, if you go into spontaneous labour beforehand they will perform the c-section then instead. If it's your 1st baby the chances are you will have plenty of warning in early labour to prep for c-section.

[PossumInAPearTree]

Normal. Wont be before 39 weeks and then first available space. So would guess previous few days full. Sometimes its after due date before we can find people a slot.

[AbbeyRoadCrossing]

Normal. They won't schedule for weekends, bank holidays etc and also depends on others booked in.
Mine was 39+4 and I didn't think I'd make it that far as DC1 was premature!

[GingerLemonade]

Thank you so much for the super quick replies!

Yes, this is my first baby :) I really thought getting a date would take a lot of the anxiety out of this, but if anything knowing it's only the day before has really stressed me out. If I was 'normal' and healthy, I wouldn't feel so bad, but hey ho, if this is how it goes then I'll just have to find a way of coping.

Thank you so much again :)

[2014newme]

My twins came 6.5 weeks before c section date. I still had one but it was an emergency one rather than a planned one.

[GwendolynMary]

My scheduled c-sect date wasn't decided until after DD was born! Waters broke at 37+5 and she was delivered by CS in under 2hrs (no contractions allowed, as she had a cord presentation). There was no problem at the hospital, we just jumped the theatre queue.

We got a call while still on the ward with DD to advise us of the elective date (39+5) - they were pleased to be able to allocate the spot to someone else.

Good luck!

[Sparrowlegs248]

Mine was 38+6. I had a second booked for 40+4 in the absence of going into labour. If you go into labour prior to your date, get yourself to the hospital and they'll crack on with the c section sooner

[PossumInAPearTree]

Itll be fine. First babies dont tend to be quick. Any sign of labour you ring up, go get checked and they will do the section whatever day or time. Technically it will be an emergency purely as not scheduled but it will be as calm and unrushed as an elective.

[rascallyrascal]

It will be absolutely fine! Don't worry. As the others have said, at the first sniff that baby is on the way they will do the section. 1st babies rarely come quickly (24 hr Labour with my 1st). Unfortunately it's not like the movies where the babies fly out!!

[ashotofespresso]

Hello,

Mines was a Planned section at 39+6 - they said that any hint of labour and I would of been taken straight in for a section. Try not to worry.

X

Ps pack a pillow for the drive home to protect your scar.

[mrsnec]

My first one was scheduled very close to my due date but when I went in for my pre op assessment they decided to do it straight away. So dd was born at 39 weeks ish.

My second one was scheduled earlier but then they phoned me and said they'd booked too many that day so could I make it sooner. Ds was born at 37 weeks ish.

I don't think anything is set in stone and agree with previous posts. I'm not in the UK but understand they like to schedule the ops as late as possible unless there is a medical reason.