Elective c section-choosing date?

[pitstop16]

Hi,

I am due to meet with my consultant next week (I'll be 34 weeks pregnant) and that's when my elective c section will be confirmed (emergency c section last pregnancy due to preeclampsia and failure to progress after induction).

I'm just wondering if anyone can shed any light on how the date process goes i.e will I just be given a date and have to agree to it, or will I get some say as to what suits me. I know it can't work like that completely but just wondered how set in stone they are with dates or if they're flexible

[bigfriendlygiant]

Oooh! I want to know this too.

[andadietcoke]

Mine was slightly different as I had a multiple pregnancy, but they gave me a date that suited them around a bank holiday and based on when others were booked in (they only do two per day at my hospital) and then I negotiated based on NICE guidelines for multiple pregnancies.

[ApocalypseNowt]

Depending on the reason ELCS are usually done at 39 weeks. When i booked in for mine they just looked at their theatre schedule and found the closest date to that.

I didn't ask if it could be moved (didn't need to) but if they have space and it's not too far from the 39 week mark they might be amenable to helping you out.

Hope someone comes along with more definite info....and best wishes for the birth. My ELCS was lovely!

[Bertieboo1]

I had this and they wanted to wait til 39+ but not over 41. In the end it was academic as my waters broke and I had 24 hour mild contractions with failure to progress before a c section anyway.

I tried to get a firm date out of them but it was massively dependant on emergency cases coming in.

[Twodogsandahooch]

Depends on the hospital. Some try to book all patients under a consultant on a particular day of the week, so they will have their sections on their operating list. Others are more flexible.

[pitstop16]

Thanks all so far! I have gestational diabetes this time round too so I'm thinking it will around the 38/39 week mark, and I will take whatever they give me however, my husband has a preference for a Friday due to work commitments so was just thinking if they could be a little flexible either side of a given date! Not wanting to sound like a diva

[pitstop16]

ApocalypseNowt, I'm hoping this one will be a much calmer experience than the last time

[Boobyroof]

Mine was 39 wks exactly.

[SugarMiceInTheRain]

My 2 electives were scheduled for 39 weeks exactly. I was finding pregnancy #3 really difficult towards the end and asked if we could bring it forward so they agreed to move it forward... by one day

[Thegirlinthetrousers]

I got asked to pick a day between Monday and Friday of the week I was due to have elective...so I picked the 1st December :)

[Alibobbob]

Mine was scheduled a week earlier. I think we had flexibility within a couple of days. Good luck with your birth I hope all goes well x

[BeardMinge]

They told me it would need to be at 39 weeks, I asked for 1st December as it's my parents' wedding anniversary, but all the slots had gone so we had to have the 2nd instead (39+1).

[kiki22]

My consultant only done elective sections on Fridays if you wanted another day you needed a good reason or to move to another consultant so mine was booked on a Friday though I ended up with an emergency section for reduced movement with someone else on a Tuesday (she was much nice anyway)

[ApocalypseNowt]

pitstop I'm sure it will be. My first was an EMCS and originally I wanted to try for VBAC but as things panned out it was obvious an ELCS was the sensible choice for everyone.

It was lovely, really calm and beautiful. I saw her come out and the recovery for me was a million times quicker than the emergency one x

[helensburgh]

I've had 2 and I found here they only do them 2 days a week.so that limits it initially.
So then they gave me a date after 39 weeks as close to due date.
2nd time I asked to change as my child had a v v important hospital. Appt same day which could not be changed they agreed..

[Bexta147]

I'm hoping the hospital I am at this time around will have some flexibility. I will be 39 weeks on Halloween. I don't want her bday on Halloween plus I'm hoping to be able to have it the week before even if it's in the last couple of days of that week as that week will be half term here and I will have no childcare issues where as if it's when I'm 39 weeks I will have massive issues and will probably be left to go it alone.

[happyinthesunshine]

The hospital I had my daughter in did elective C section twice a week. I was given two dates three days apart to choose.

[Arborea]

I am pretty sure my hospital does them twice weekly. I had been told it would be as soon as they could fit me in following me reaching 39 weeks, and it was confirmed for 39+4 when I was about 36 weeks. I'm told that if I labour spontaneously before then they'll make a judgement call on whether or not to intervene depending on how it's progressing which is fine with me.

[YoungGirlGrowingOld]

I have been told it will be 39 weeks. Luckily it falls on a date when my consultant has her list anyway.

[HandbagCrab]

Hope you have some luck. I'm 39 weeks on xmas bank holidays and they don't know what days they're doing elcs that week yet as they only do 2 days a week and one is a Monday. I was hoping for before xmas but we'll see!

[5minutestobed]

I was sent a date in the post it was 39 +5. Then they phone me and asked if I minded changing it so in the end it was 39+3. You could phone and ask to change it but I don't know how much choice you would have got.

[TurquoiseDress]

My ELCS was bang on 39 weeks for me

Didn't even cross my mind to ask for another date...it was a maternal request and I was just astounded & so happy that the consultant had easily agreed to it so I just accepted the date they gave me, didn't want to create any fuss or anything in case they went back on their agreement (irrational I know!)

[MrsSnow]

DS was due nye, all slots gone for planned csec from 24 dec until 12 jan. Consultant went off made calls one slot available on 23rd we took it. So 38+6. No choosing just very glad to have a pre arranged slot rather than planned but via emergency.

[AbbeyRoadCrossing]

Usually in week 39 unless there's medical reasons to do it earlier. It will depend on what days they do but most hospitals are weekdays and not bank holidays.
I had to have a certain day so a certain pediatrician could be present.
It'll be prioritised on medical need and of course you can get bumped to the next day if there's too many emergencies on your day.

[seven201]

I had mine bang on 39 weeks. Bear in mind that you'll be in hospital over the weekend where hospitals are often understaffed (that's not the right word for it but it's definitely not as 'good'). Are you sure you're having a section, just saying because not all gd pregnancies mean caesarean. I had assumed i'd be having a caesarean because of gd but was surprised when I was told not to. My baby was breech so did end up with one in the end!