For those having elective Caesarian

[LadyPug]

Do you have the baby on your due date, after your due date or before?

Many thanks!

[Lules]

they normally aim for 39 weeks. Mine was decided on at a very late date so was at 39+5.

[LadyPug]

Ah ok thank you Lules

[MyfatheristheKing]

About a week before. But it all depends on what dates are available.

One of mine was 38+6 and the other 39+1 for my planned ones.

[LadyPug]

Why do they arrange it earlier out of interest? Why not closer to due date? Also, when do they let you know your date? Sorry for all of the questions!

[RatRolyPoly]

Depends why you're having the elective I think. Mine was booked for exactly 40 weeks as I wouldn't have minded going into labour beforehand but wouldn't have risked give overdue. Usually there booked for 39 weeks as there is less chance of associated breathing problems.

[Lules]

It's a toss up between not having it too early so your baby is fully developed and not having it too late so most people will have gone into labour. And emergency c sections because you've gone into labour are worse than planned ones.

[RatRolyPoly]

*they're

[SheepyFun]

Earlier to minimise the risk of going into labour naturally - I had an elective c-section because attempting labour would have killed both of us. When you know your date will depend on the hospital and the reason for the c-section - one friend had a date at about 6 months (they really really didn't want her to go into labour); I got mine once it became clear that a c-section was medically necessary - I think I was 37 weeks.

[KadabrasSpoon]

39 weeks is much safer for the baby and better outcomes but any later and you might be in spontaneous labour which makes it more tricky.
Sometimes they'll do sections earlier but usually based on a medical reason to do so.

[KadabrasSpoon]

Forgot to add DD was 39+4 elective.
DS was going to be 37 weeks due to placenta praevia but ended up being EMCS at 35 weeks.

[practicallyperfectmummy]

My hospital only do elective sections 3 days a week so it was based on those days. I had an emergency section followed by 2 electives. Also only carried out on week days they generally try to get close to your due date also unless issues and baby needs to arrive earlier. My youngest was born at 40 weeks exactly on the 30th December. With Christmas and new this date was decided so things like bank hols also bump the date forwards or back.

[SweepTheHalls]

Bang on my due dates here too, with absolutely no negotiation!

[MyfatheristheKing]

With my planned CSs I seen consultant at about 20 weeks and then again at 36. At the 36 week appointments I signed all the paper work and then the MW phoned the hospital and got the dates then.

[LadyPug]

Thanks everyone, this is so useful! I had an emc last time following an induction gone wrong so I went two weeks over due date. This time they are recommending elective (I will know more at consultant appt next month) but basically I just wondered about these things. Interesting to hear that some ppl have had it on their due date and others a week earlier. I’m guessing I would be on due date as went over so much last time but I guess every pregnancy is different

[ninnynono]

39+2 here .

My ob gyn told me that from 39 weeks is best as baby's lungs are fully developed then. But they don't want to go too close to your due date to avoid you going into labour naturally and having to have an emergency section.

[ElephantAndBird]

Mine was at 38+2. Dd was born completely healthy and had no breathing problems.

[niceupthedance]

37+5 as the consultant was going skiing for two weeks over Xmas. DC was healthy and well.

[TreasureInMyTummy]

Mine is 39+5 pretty close to due date but no earlier date. Think it was around 37 weeks it was booked in

[eeanne]

39 weeks. Baby was breech so didn’t want to risk my going into labor first as that would have meant an emergency CS.

Pregnant again and hoping for VBAC but have booked a CS in week 40 as don’t want risk of induction.

[Howsthings1234]

Mine is booked for exactly a week before my due date and was booked in after my 20 week scan. Good luck.