when was your date agreed - maternal request c section

[whiskersonkittens01]

I want an elective c section, my choice, after a previous traumatic delivery and birth injury.
I have seen the registrar at the consultants clinic. Explained my reasons, Told them I knew the risks, quoted nice guidelines at them etc.

No one will agree anything officially to schedule a c section at the moment and I have to go back at 35 weeks!

I don’t know if they will agree it then, or if they will say come back again even later. But this is still three months away to my 35 weeks appointment.

My anxiety is just starting to go up a bit as my pregnancy is progressing and I’m getting bigger, and thinking about the fact they could potentially refuse me.

If you have had an elective c section for maternal request, when were you agreed it? And do you think the hospital are being unfair by making me wait, or I don’t know if this is pretty standard?
I just feel like if they do say no, it isn’t giving me much time to find another hospital.
Thanks.

The only reason my DS wasn't an April Fools baby was because it was a bank holiday. They talked about it. It's a shame really, it would've been perfect for him 😂

It is odd, knowing your children's birthday ahead of time.

Mine was only 2 or 3 weeks before. DD was breech and I had a failed ECV so the paperwork was signed there and then for the section. I had a choice of 3 dates, 1 of which was eldests DC birthday, I didn't go for that date.

Thanks for replies.
I’m not so bothered about the actual date it could be any for me after 39 weeks and before 40 I would be happy with, whatever suits them really.
But I’m more concerned about when in my pregancy they will officially agree a c section and book it in iyswim.
I suppose I’m worried that they won’t agree, and I’m wondering what the normal length of time they keep people hanging on for and either agree they can have a section, or not, and put them out of their misery.

Anyone else? Thanks

I've had four c sections. First was emergency, others were planned. I was given by date at around 14 weeks pregnant with all of them. As soon as I had the dating scan they booked me in to see the consultant.

Mine was agreed in principle early on, but the actual date wasn't booked until 36 weeks (for 39 weeks). I think that's fairly standard, in my area you don't get to go to the birth options clinic (i.e where you see consultant rather than midwife) until at least 34 weeks.

Could you talk to your midwife about what the policy in that hospital is? Mine was able to reassure me that if I wanted a c section for the reasons we'd discussed (similar to yours), my hospital would have no problem with it. So I was reassured that the 36 week appt was more of a formality/sorting out admin than some kind of gateway.

Hi thanks for responses.
@littlegreenstar Unfortunately there is no real policy. they just say if a woman requests an elcs, then after a discussion about the risks and benefits a decision about whether one can be offered can then be made.
So it isn’t really clear and they won’t commit to anything.
My midwife has indicated she thinks they will agree it, but it’s the fact I could see someone difficult at 35 weeks and If they say no, I feel so stuck!
Baby is coming out whether I like it or not! I feel like I’m at the mercy of their goodwill. What happens if they say actually no, we think vaginal birth would be best, at 35 weeks pregnant and with services so strained I’d be lucky to get an appointment at a hospital elsewhere.
It’s just about that what if they are difficult on the day that’s making me anxious I suppose, and I’m interested in how other trusts handle these requests.

Mine was agreed by 20 weeks, not booked in TIL closer to 30

I know a number of people request c sections and all have got them but all have been told the same as you- not something to discuss until much later. Maybe it’s just an admin thing rather than an actual decision to be made.

DC2’s ELCS date was booked for 39 weeks around 48 hours before labour at 37 weeks. DC3 was born before I even had a proper discussion about dates. DC4’s ELCS date was agreed before I got pregnant.

In our area c sections are never agreed until the 36 week appointment.

Oh this is reassuring.
Thanks for replies.
Maybe it is just how things are done

Mine wasn't agreed until 37+3 and he was born at 39+1. Mine was maternal request for similar reasons and it took a long time for anyone to agree to anything.

Both my elcs (both for medical reasons as opposed to requested) weren't booked until at least 32 weeks (2 different hospital trusts). Think the first wasn't booked until 34 week and was a section at 38weeks due to dd1 heart condition. Don't think they like to schedule them in too early as so much can change. Notng it until 35 weeks sounds not unreasonable, still gives you 4 weeks at least to fight your corner of needed

My second was ELCS and although I did request it they were also strongly recommending it. Agreed (not that there was any question really) and booked by 25 weeks. Should have been at 39+2. Moved back to bang on 38 weeks when it became clear there were some issues. They made the decision to go sooner at 36 weeks (give or take a couple of days) and were then able to confirm the new date 5 days before the section.

Eight years ago, I had an ELCS because of a low-lying placenta. I can’t remember when I was given a date, but I do know that it was arranged for the afternoon on the 16th. That morning, the hospital rang to say it was being put back to the 18th because they had an overwhelming number of emergency caesareans to do. I was really upset at the time, but it seems like nothing now.

Referred to consultant at 20 weeks for same reasons as you (traumatic induction, third degree tear with ongoing problems.) Consultant our it in my notes but have to discuss again at 32 weeks - presumably it will be agreed then and days set etc.

@SpottingTheZebras how could the date be agreed before you got pregnant!

Try not to worry, I don't think they can refuse

I had emergency section for first baby & wanted elective for second due to size of eldest

Consultant wouldn't commit - I may have threatened to sue if baby got stuck or any problems & section was pencilled in for 37.5 weeks

This was only about 30 weeks or so from memory

I'm also having extra appointments and growth scans due to hypertension though so I guess maybe it would be 36 weeks if I wasn't having the extra appointments at 28 and 32. We shall see!

@costacoffeecup I meant the gestation was agreed, so 36 weeks, and the date booked during my first consultant appointment at 10 weeks.

They’ll usually agree a date between 35 and 36 weeks and perform the section no earlier than 39 as is the best practice.

I requested it at my first maternity appointment, the midwife signed me up to a consultant and at my 16 wk scan they booked my c section. I was suprised by how quick it was. I also booked it for the same reason as you.

I had my planned section last week. It was agreed at 20 weeks that I could have a section and at 36 weeks I was given my date. I was 39+4 when I delivered my baby.

I had a section by maternal request and it was both agreed to, and a date set 2 weeks before.