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Original poster

At what point does an ELCS get booked in?

26 replies

greenpjs · 31/12/2023 21:06

I mentioned this to the consultant when I was around 26 weeks but she said it was too soon to start thinking about booking anything in. I've not had another consultant appointment since as had no complications during this pregnancy as I did with my first, so I have pretty much been left to it and have only seen the midwife at my routine appointments. My next appointment is at the 34 week mark which will be the end of January.

I'm starting to get anxious now as it's getting close, and I'd like to get prepared as much and have a date booked.

Should it have been booked in already or is it too soon still?

OP posts:
MeinKraft · 31/12/2023 21:07

No it's much too early now. It'll probably be booked at the 34 or 36 week appointment.

newoldfluff · 31/12/2023 21:07

I got booked in 2 days before as it was an urgent elcs

WooWooWinnie · 31/12/2023 21:09

36 wks is standard in my experience (to book in a elcs, which would be at 39ish weeks usually).

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CCLCECSC · 31/12/2023 21:11

Mine was booked at 20 weeks

okayumm · 31/12/2023 21:11

For me it was at 36 weeks. I had an initial appointment with my consultant at 20 weeks, where options were discussed and another appointment made for 36 weeks. When I arrived at my 36 weeks appointment, I was then given a date. I was booked in to deliver at exactly 39 weeks.

FoxtrotSkarloey · 31/12/2023 21:13

I can't recall exactly, but for me it was at the standard mw check around 32/33/34 weeks.

Lifesd · 31/12/2023 21:14

36 weeks for me

MileyWiley · 31/12/2023 21:14

After 36 weeks

RedToothBrush · 31/12/2023 21:18

CCLCECSC · 31/12/2023 21:11

Mine was booked at 20 weeks

Mine was booked at 16 weeks.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 31/12/2023 21:18

36 weeks for mine.

eatdrinkandbemerry · 31/12/2023 21:25

Mine was booked in at 41 weeks for the first. Because I had a shitty consultant who wouldn't listen to my midwife but I stitched to another consultant 1 day before the section who put in a complaint on my behalf!
My second time the second was booked at 20 weeks.

blushroses6 · 31/12/2023 21:25

I mentioned to my midwife just in general chit chat at my booking appt that I would be wanting an elective this time and she said although i’d see consultants after my last birth to discuss they don’t actually book the sections in till 9 days before due date!

Original poster
greenpjs · 31/12/2023 21:35

blushroses6 · 31/12/2023 21:25

I mentioned to my midwife just in general chit chat at my booking appt that I would be wanting an elective this time and she said although i’d see consultants after my last birth to discuss they don’t actually book the sections in till 9 days before due date!

Eeek that's late!

OP posts:
Original poster
greenpjs · 31/12/2023 21:36

Genuinely what happens though if you want an elective and you end up going into labour on your own? 😬

OP posts:
MarleyandMarleyWoooo · 31/12/2023 21:38

Mine was booked at 20 weeks, I spoke to the consultant about it just after my scan.

RedToothBrush · 31/12/2023 21:43

greenpjs · 31/12/2023 21:36

Genuinely what happens though if you want an elective and you end up going into labour on your own? 😬

You go into labour and it depends on when there is an available theatre slot and whether you are a priority. Being an ELCS by choice means you are at the bottom of the priority list. They will try and get you in, but they can't absolutely guarantee you will get in before you give birth in those circumstances.

I've only heard of one of two stories along these lines in the years I've been on MN (and this is a subject I keep half an eye on). I've been around since 2007/8.

ThomasinaLivesHere · 31/12/2023 21:43

greenpjs · 31/12/2023 21:36

Genuinely what happens though if you want an elective and you end up going into labour on your own? 😬

You’ll have something similar to an emergency section at least that’s what I was told.

I got my date at about 37 weeks. It was for 39w5. It really depends on the trust as some find out earlier. I was down to be assigned one for a while.

pinkunicorns54 · 31/12/2023 21:44

greenpjs · 31/12/2023 21:36

Genuinely what happens though if you want an elective and you end up going into labour on your own? 😬

You go to hospital and get an emergency section.

I had high risk, complications and a previous EMCS and was booked in 2 weeks before date (36weeks for 38 week delivery)

PenguinMama · 31/12/2023 21:44

I had a conversation with the midwife when booking in the date about this - either you choose vbac (if you are okay with that eg didn't want an induction) or for it to become an emcs. This is then on your notes. However because they book for 39 weeks I think it's fairly rare.

CCLCECSC · 31/12/2023 21:44

I queried this too and told I would still get a section but it would be classed as an emergency

whereimfrom · 31/12/2023 21:58

34/35 weeks & it was booked for 39+2.

I went in to labour & had my son at 39+1 by EMCS. (I was 8cm dilated when I got to the hospital & still got my section)

FoxtrotSkarloey · 01/01/2024 09:23

Being an ELCS by choice means you are at the bottom of the priority list. They will try and get you in, but they can't absolutely guarantee you will get in before you give birth in those circumstances.

This isn't strictly true, some ELCS are critical for medical reasons, rather than pure choice, but there isn't the terminology to differentiate. ELCS simply means not an emergency section (EMCS).

If you need/want an ELCS and go into spontaneous labour, your needs will be assessed alongside all the ELCS scheduled for that day and and EMCS in progress and you will be assigned a spot accordingly. If it's medically needed, it won't be bottom of the list.

It's the reason frost c sections are scheduled ~39 weeks, to minimise the risk of going into spontaneous labour.

FoxtrotSkarloey · 01/01/2024 09:23

*most not frost 🤷‍♀️

Flower0503 · 01/01/2024 09:26

Mime was booked at 36week appointment for 39+2, I got a phone call 3 days before at 10.30pm asking if I could come in the day earlier.

susiedaisy1912 · 01/01/2024 09:28

Usually 2 to 3 weeks before in my experience of working in a antenatal clinic

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