Elective Caesarean Date

[PuddleLuscious]

I'm currently 38 & 1 with my first and signed all the consents for my elective CS back at about 20 weeks and have happily trolled along since then with no need for additional consultant appointments etc

When I was consented for the op, the Consultant said that they would let me know probably about 5-7 days beforehand and having not heard anything, gave the day assessment unit a call today. SO unhelpful! They basically said that they won't give dates until 2 days before they perform the CS (don't you know Drs are very busy people and you wouldn't know if you were going into labour naturally so why should you know for your elective & to that end, it doesn't matter that your family aren't down here had to stop myself from developing tourettes and shouting sanctimonious cow on repeat, ) and so it could be any time from the 10th October, which is my 39th week, although they only operate on a thurs, mon & tues.

Anyway, just wondered if this was standard- to find out two days beforehand? I just think I'm worried about going into labour if it's pushed back to when I'm 39+6. Plus it would be so helpful for my DH to sort out his annual leave (can't get paternity) and for my parents to be down as they are 5 hours away ( plus I'm a control freak & would like to know )

[Ellypoo]

With my last pg, I had an ELCS date for when I was 39+3 (although 1st on the list for cancellations at 38+3 - they only op 1 day a wk here), I got the date at about 34 weeks, so I was able to plan my maternity leave etc around it.

2 days doesn't sound like v much notice to me, and I wouldn't be happy with that because I'm a control freak too

[PuddleLuscious]

Thanks ellypoo fellow control freak; nice to meet you!

No- they seem to regard elective cs as the same as giving birth naturally here so won't make any exceptions. Literally seems to be the only place that doesn't give you a definite (bar cancellation) date in advance. Just unsure as whether to push it a bit tomorrow & try to speak to a dr if I can muscle my way past all the thorny mw and secretary's who seem to have been told to make it as difficult as possible to get to said dr. I just don't want to piss the medical staff off but it's really stressing me out!!

[TheAngelshavetheOod]

I got 2-3 weeks notice last time and was brought forward a week later on. There is only one surgery a week here too.

[Yama]

With my first I knew months in advance. My second was in a different area and I knew at around 34 weeks.

Having to wait would make me anxious. And I don't like being anxious when I'm pregnant.

[Yama]

Actually, with my second I got to choose which of the 3 dates they operate in I'd like. I choose the day after dd started school.

[JupiterJoy]

I found out about 2 weeks before my elective c section for the date

[Meglet]

I knew my planned CS date 3 weeks in advance. I pretty much knew it would be at 39 weeks long before that but the precise date was confirmed at 36 weeks.

Leaving it to a couple of days in advance isn't very helpful is it. How annoying.

[PuddleLuscious]

Yup, super unhelpful and the attitudes to it have really got to me too. I knew moving this far south was a bad idea... Think am going to call fight my way through the many obstacles tomorrow to try to speak to my Consultant about it. Wish me luck& thanks all for the input

[RubyrooUK]

Blimey. I turned up at my 16wk appointment last week and the doctor cheerfully told me what date they'd be doing my (medically required) elective next year.

He said "why wait?" when he knew I'd be having one. The date is two days before I'm due, so if I go into labour before then, it has to be an emergency c-section.

He then went on to say that on the day they'd do diabetics first and any more risky patients, so I should expect to find myself going into theatre around lunchtime and being quite hungry by that point.

It seems things are quite different in different places.