C section 38 weeks

[cord1234]

So I have had a very traumatic pregnancy, it went unnoticed until I was passed 24 weeks, I’m now 35 weeks (even after multiple doctors and hospital appointments) I have had very poor care and my mental health have suffered massively as a result of it. I’m now suffering from extreme pelvic girdle pain, and on most days I can’t even move out of bed the pain is that agonising. I have been in touch with my doctor/midwife/physio and none of them actually seem to have any advice that can help me. I’ve tried everything they’ve said. Baby is also very breach and is back to back, alongside an anterior placenta. I was wondering if anyone had any advice as to me getting a c section at 38 weeks as the hospital seem to be doing nothing but pushing for full term but I’m petrified of going into labour and feel that with her breech it would be far to traumatic for me. Is 38 week c section possible for someone in a situation as unique as mine??
Thanks :)

Hi op, I had pgp with my first and I wouldn't wish that pain on my enemy! I ended up not even being able to walk on the crutches they had provided me with. I had sessions with the physio who basically said there wasn't much that she could do although she was very nice. She measured how much I could open my knees and it wasn't much so she agreed I may be better off with a c section.
So the consultant ended up agreeing to a section at 39 weeks and not before.
I'll be honest they weren't very helpful and made me feel like I was wanting a c section as an 'easy route.
I would have much preferred a normal birth I can promise you but the extent of my pgp meant that I was worried of lasting damage. 6 years on I do still get twinges of pain if I move funny. I know I made the right decision and you should fully do research before you decide but I think the drs now know a lot more about the condition than they did before so it is possible you'll get your section at week 38.

Oh and make sure you're sleeping with a pillow between your knees and not pushing or pulling anything heavy like a shopping trolley.

I've been told NHS won't go any earlier than 39w, see if you can push for one at 39w exactly. You may have to really push them but it's your choice. Goodluck

If you are in the UK google the NICE guideliness you are able to request to be assessed that the pregnancy / idea of giving birth naturally is stressful and given permission to opt for a planned C section. Or it was this way for my friend!

@FoxtrotSkarloey

I'm sorry you're in so much pain and having such a tough time of it. Do you mean you didn't know you were even pregnant until 24 weeks? Also what do you mean by very breach? Babies tend to be breech or not, although there are different types of breech. What's been said at your most recent appointment about the baby being breech?

My first DC was breech and it's absolutely a normal reason to have a c section. I had a scan at 36 weeks and another at 8 weeks and as he was still breech then had a section booked for 39 weeks which is the standard timing unless there are other factors at play.

You could report this thread and ask to have it moved to pregnancy where more people might find it with good advice.

Yes the pregnancy wasn’t tested for by the doctors I saw, it was only in an emergency MRI scan they found the pregnancy, as I had had no symptoms of pregnancy at all, I only started to show at around 33 weeks! Baby has been sat breach since that MRI scan with bottom now engaged and feet by head. Thank you for your reply! As a first time mum I’m completely in the dark and don’t have a clue what I’m doing so any advice is so appreciated!

@Catwoman123

Hi op, I had pgp with my first and I wouldn't wish that pain on my enemy! I ended up not even being able to walk on the crutches they had provided me with. I had sessions with the physio who basically said there wasn't much that she could do although she was very nice. She measured how much I could open my knees and it wasn't much so she agreed I may be better off with a c section. So the consultant ended up agreeing to a section at 39 weeks and not before. I'll be honest they weren't very helpful and made me feel like I was wanting a c section as an 'easy route. I would have much preferred a normal birth I can promise you but the extent of my pgp meant that I was worried of lasting damage. 6 years on I do still get twinges of pain if I move funny. I know I made the right decision and you should fully do research before you decide but I think the drs now know a lot more about the condition than they did before so it is possible you'll get your section at week 38.

It’s absolutely horrible isnt it! I’m slowly getting around on the crutches but pretty bed bound unfortunately. I have requested a c section from the start due to the mental trauma of this surprise pregnancy, as I’m only 22 it was completely unexpected and I’ve found it very hard. I have constantly been also pushed for a natural birth, although with the breach position I feel I will get a c section now. I have another appointment this week but feel I wanted to get advice from other mums as I’ve found midwives seem to sometimes forget that for some people pregnancy can be traumatic, and what i can do for myself to make this easier (babies health is most important) but that’s why I was asking about an earlier c section! Thank you for your reply!:)

My dc4 was delivered by elcs at 38 weeks, all 4 of my pregnancies were sections with the first 3 at 39 weeks. The reason that I had my 4th at 38 weeks was partly due to size but mainly because of my mental health. When my dc3 was 10 days old my dc2 who was 3 died suddenly, my mental health which was fairly stable deteriorated rapidly leading up to the birth of dc4 as I was terrified that I would loose another dc in the same manner, she had only died 15 months prior. The consultant only consented after scans also revealed that dc4 was plenty big enough, he actually weighed in at 11.6lbs. A hospital will always push for 39 weeks unless an earlier section is medically necessary for the baby or the mother.

Firstly I’m sorry you are struggling so much & appreciate discovering the pregnancy at that late stage must have been challenging.
Are you taking regular pain relief for the spd? If not please do.
Do you have support? Babies dad/friends/family?
It’s really challenging to be pregnant in a pandemic and can be very isolating with all the usual support mechanisms and groups no longer available.

As regards the birth, an elective section would be recommended under both NICE and RCOG guidelines as you are a first time mum (primip) carrying a breech baby. The risks outway the benefits of vaginal birth in your case.
As regards requesting it from 38 weeks they will be very reluctant as the incidence of respiratory issues increases with earlier gestation, it would be recommended to wait until 39 weeks minimum.
I know this isn’t what you want to hear and I do understand you’re in pain but the benefits of baby having that extra week are huge, even more so with a section that vaginal birth.
Hope that helps a little (midwife here)

@Phillipa12

My dc4 was delivered by elcs at 38 weeks, all 4 of my pregnancies were sections with the first 3 at 39 weeks. The reason that I had my 4th at 38 weeks was partly due to size but mainly because of my mental health. When my dc3 was 10 days old my dc2 who was 3 died suddenly, my mental health which was fairly stable deteriorated rapidly leading up to the birth of dc4 as I was terrified that I would loose another dc in the same manner, she had only died 15 months prior. The consultant only consented after scans also revealed that dc4 was plenty big enough, he actually weighed in at 11.6lbs. A hospital will always push for 39 weeks unless an earlier section is medically necessary for the baby or the mother.

I’m so sorry to hear about what you went through, I can’t imagine that pain. I have been told that baby is measuring big but nothing outside of the normal range. From what people are saying I’m going to try my best to make it to 39weeks purely for health benefits for baby, hopefully they can give it to me on the 39th week exactly! Thank you for replying!:)

@CuppaTandCake

Firstly I’m sorry you are struggling so much & appreciate discovering the pregnancy at that late stage must have been challenging. Are you taking regular pain relief for the spd? If not please do. Do you have support? Babies dad/friends/family? It’s really challenging to be pregnant in a pandemic and can be very isolating with all the usual support mechanisms and groups no longer available.

As regards the birth, an elective section would be recommended under both NICE and RCOG guidelines as you are a first time mum (primip) carrying a breech baby. The risks outway the benefits of vaginal birth in your case.
As regards requesting it from 38 weeks they will be very reluctant as the incidence of respiratory issues increases with earlier gestation, it would be recommended to wait until 39 weeks minimum.
I know this isn’t what you want to hear and I do understand you’re in pain but the benefits of baby having that extra week are huge, even more so with a section that vaginal birth.
Hope that helps a little (midwife here)

I am taking regular pain relief, all approved by my GP. However now doesn’t really seem to touch the sides of the pain! I have my family support but unfortunately due to the trauma of finding out the babies dad has not handled this very week, and I have kept the pregnancy private, only my family and few friends know, due to struggling hugely with my mental health. Your right the pandemic does make everything so hard. I was more wondering about a slightly earlier c section purely based on being bed bound with the extreme pain I’m in and how mentally that’s making me struggle so much more. I have researched this hugely and have spoken to many mums who have had babies at 38-39 weeks and have had perfectly health babies, as my baby is weighing in on the larger side I felt more reassured with this aswell. Thank you so much for your response! It’s appreciated :)

I've got PGP at the minute too, definitely feeling your pain, make sure you have a good pregnancy pillow. Take regular paracetamol.

Why is 38 weeks so important for you? C-sections are usually done at 39 weeks which minimises the risk to your baby of having respiratory issues. It's very unlikely that you'll go in to labour sooner as a first time mum and if you did you'd be taken to theatre. You have every right to a section over a natural birth so don't be pushed in to anything.

Have you seen the perinatal mental health team yet? If not ask for an immediate referral.

I have PTSD and tokophobia from my first delivery, I've had a section agreed and was adamant I wanted one, but having done some work with a birth trauma counsellor and some hypnobirthing online (positive birth company), I've actually decided that as long as baby doesn't need to come early for medical reasons I think I'll try natural labour. I wouldn't if baby was breech so I'm not trying to tell you to do that, but what I'm saying is that with the right help it is possible to feel better about giving birth.

@maryberryslayers

I've got PGP at the minute too, definitely feeling your pain, make sure you have a good pregnancy pillow. Take regular paracetamol.

Why is 38 weeks so important for you? C-sections are usually done at 39 weeks which minimises the risk to your baby of having respiratory issues. It's very unlikely that you'll go in to labour sooner as a first time mum and if you did you'd be taken to theatre. You have every right to a section over a natural birth so don't be pushed in to anything.

Have you seen the perinatal mental health team yet? If not ask for an immediate referral.

I have PTSD and tokophobia from my first delivery, I've had a section agreed and was adamant I wanted one, but having done some work with a birth trauma counsellor and some hypnobirthing online (positive birth company), I've actually decided that as long as baby doesn't need to come early for medical reasons I think I'll try natural labour. I wouldn't if baby was breech so I'm not trying to tell you to do that, but what I'm saying is that with the right help it is possible to feel better about giving birth.

I hope your pain is manageable for you at the minute! I know it seems abit silly as it’s only a weeks difference, and of course I will wait if there’s any sort of risk to the baby, but I’m concerned now for my physical and mental health too. I have had such a traumatic pregnancy and without disclosing too much have had very poor treatment with most people I’ve seen to the point where I was given the complete wrong medication for Rhesus negative blood type. I was referred to a mental health team and I can’t tell you how poor the treatment was, it took me two weeks to even recover from the upset they caused me to have. I have a couple of people I now trust to see, my GP and my midwife, but other than that I have no trust. With now being bed bound with pain I’m suffering so much that I just want this pregnancy over with, which is why I’m looking for a slightly earlier c section as I don’t think I can cope for much longer, especially with the lack of help and care I’ve received. I really hope everything goes well for you, it’s so hard for everyone! I hope your birth goes exactly how you want it too!:)