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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...To ask when you would do elec. c-section, if you could choose any date?

63 replies

sklflknsflsdf · 08/08/2019 21:25

Let's say you're due date is August 30th, and you had 100% control over when to do the section, when would you pick, to give best health chances to baby but to avoid an emergency c-section?

I heard some people even wait until labour starts, but that seems risky! but it's so hard to find information on this online.

OP posts:
AppleKatie · 08/08/2019 21:28

In that situation I would be tempted to wait til Sept 1st because of schools...

But I wouldn’t do it against medical advice.

In any other month I’d have it as soon as the consultant allowed (I hate being pregnant!)

YouCantBeSirius · 08/08/2019 21:28

Any day in the 39th week. I had my DD by elective 5 days before her due date.

Original poster
sklflknsflsdf · 08/08/2019 21:32

Ok, ignore month, lol. Imagine it's september 30th, if that helps!

OP posts:
IDontDrinkTea · 08/08/2019 21:34

I wouldn’t choose a date before 39 weeks as I’d want the babies lungs to be mature.

AppleKatie · 08/08/2019 21:34

As soon as the consultant allowed after 37 weeks.

iolaus · 08/08/2019 21:34

39+ weeks, so a day or so before due date - would avoid weekends and bankholidays due to less staff being on (but in fairness they probably wouldn;t book for then - but you said 100% control)

SilverGiraffe7 · 08/08/2019 21:35

As the mother of a late August baby, I would also wait until September 1st if possible. If you did happen to go into labour before then, I assume you'd still be able to have a fairly calm early labour section rather than a rush-get-him-out-quick emergency section if you went in as soon as labour started?
Not long to wait now!

Original poster
sklflknsflsdf · 08/08/2019 21:35

I wouldn’t choose a date before 39 weeks as I’d want the babies lungs to be mature

Right. But if you could choose 39+1 or 39+5, would it make a difference? The closer to the due date the better, surely? Except that the risk of going into labour goes up.

OP posts:
BettysLeftTentacle · 08/08/2019 21:35

On the 39th week. They have to have a very good reason to do it before then and they don’t like doing it after for obvious reasons so will always push for the 39th week. I chose a Wednesday because I had plans on the Tuesday I was 39 weeks 🤷‍♀️

SilverGiraffe7 · 08/08/2019 21:36

Sorry - just read your last message! Then I'd choose 39 weeks as I'd totally had enough by then!!

Stroller15 · 08/08/2019 21:36

I would book it for 39 and 3 days.

MilfordFound · 08/08/2019 21:37

I was offered any day in the 39th week or beyond.

Justajot · 08/08/2019 21:37

I'd avoid being in hospital over a weekend as staffing isn't quite the same. So I'd aim for Monday-Wednesday.

OrchidInTheSun · 08/08/2019 21:38

39 weeks and a Monday or Tuesday. If you get bumped for emergency sections, you may not go on until late afternoon and if you have to stay 2 nights, you want to leave on a weekday so the pharmacy is open

DoneAdulting · 08/08/2019 21:39

I chose exactly 39 weeks, it was a Monday

Wheninrome2019 · 08/08/2019 21:40

I went for bang on 39 weeks. There were lots of reasons for this but the main one being I wanted to have the best chance of not going into labour first!

CloudRusting · 08/08/2019 21:40

What are the reasons for the c section? Because I think that might be quite relevant.

Blinketyblonketyblank · 08/08/2019 21:41

I chose a Monday of the week suggested to me, as with my previous birth being in on a Saturday was awful due to short staffing. So I wanted to get out before Saturday.

That was the 37th week with twins, and they said I could choose any day that week.

Pleasegodgotosleep · 08/08/2019 21:49

My first baby arrived by emcs at 40+4 so second baby I booked elective section. Where I am in Scotland it would normally be booked for 39+1 or +2 but due to weekend was booked for 39+4, cutting it fine but thought it would be ok. Labour started naturally at 38+6! Baby born by section at 39w exactly (at 3am). Although it was therefore classed as an emergency section it really wasn't, totally different experience to first one, very calm, so I wouldn't be worried about booking it for a bit later and changing labour starting. Good luck! Xx

Hugtheduggee · 08/08/2019 21:53

As near as 39w as possibly, preferably at the beginning of the week. I got to choose with mine.

hubbletelescope · 08/08/2019 21:56

I chose 38 weeks exactly. Perfect timing for us.

Gooseysgirl · 08/08/2019 21:58

I wanted my ELCS on my due date but hospital said it had to be before then as they didn't want to have to do an EMCS if I went into labour. I went for 39+3 as it was a Wed and I wanted the be out of the hospital by the weekend.

Giraffe888 · 08/08/2019 22:02

Mine was 38+6 which was a Friday

Sassy306 · 08/08/2019 22:02

I wanted bang on 39 weeks but they couldnt fit me in till 40+2 which was a monday. Waters broke at 7.30am on the sunday so i went in and i was the only one in the labour ward, it was so peaceful and they did my section 2 hours later so if i really could pick next time i would pick a sunday morning lol....but they dont do planned sections on a sunday so that wouldnt happen

JuniLoolaPalooza · 08/08/2019 22:12

If I could have chosen, I'd've wanted to go into labour then a c-section but I didn't say anything as I was worried I wouldn't get the csection (traumatic first birth).
Allocated a date at 39 weeks.
37+6 waters break...baby born 5am at 38 weeks exactly by EMCS. So got what I wanted, really!