To be concerned that I may not get an ELCS

[UnicornAndSparkles]

Booked in for 39 weeks. BUT if labour starts naturally before then I'll have to reassess as there may be a long wait for a CS as I won't be classed as an actual emergency and, understandably, there may be women in greater need than me.

My first labour started naturally at 39 weeks.

AIBU to think second babies come earlier than first?

YANBU - yes, by second baby arrives earlier than my first

YABU - my second baby arrived later than my first

Thank you

Babis come when they want too unless medical intervention is required. It has nothing to do with birth order

I was booked in for 40+5 so you got lucky!

I can’t say re babies coming earlier. My first was 11 days overdue and was, in the end, delivered by emergency section. I was booked in for an elective at 39 and a day for my second. I didn’t go into labour beforehand.

As I recall they are reluctant to book sections in before 39 weeks as it would be proactively delivering a baby early with no medical need. 39 is I think seen as a compromise. Not too early but hopefully ahead of labour starting.

Good luck. I sympathise with fearing going into labour ahead of planned section and worrying about not accessing a section. But hopefully it will all work out.

I was booked in with ds1 at 39 weeks, ds2 at 39+5 and ds4 at 38+2. Try not to worry

My babies arrived at the same gestation so neither option for me! Both 10 days overdue

Hello,
Try not to worry.
I had a ELCS booked with my first pregnancy due to numerous issues (nothing medically wrong though with baby or myself)
I was booked in for 39+2 however I went in to labour at 39weeks , 2 days before my ELCS. I was so worried I wouldn't get my CS, when we got to labour ward it was so busy and they already had someone in theatre having their planned one. However, after a few checks I was in theatre within an hour of arriving and was treated as an EMCS although it technically wasnt.
When I had my 2nd child I had a ELCS also and on the day, they had 2 emergencies come in while I was waiting for my turn and they said I didnt need to worry, they had a theatre for ELCS and a theatre for EMCS.

Hope this helps reassure you. X

I can’t answer - my labours started at 4am at 39+2 and 7am at 39+2. (And if you allow for clocks changing it is actually 4am and 6am.) I was also due on the same day of the month with them both and so went into labour on the same day of the month with them.

With my second child I insisted on going out for lunch when 39+1. Dh wanted to wait until the next day (which was a Sunday) but I told him I would be in labour. I was right!

I am nothing if not consistent.

First was bang on due date, second was 1 day shy of being 42 weeks

So in my experience they don’t come earlier!

You will be treated like an EMCS. You'll be put ahead of those booked in for electives.

Also - they can do a CS VERY fast. Both of mine were CS. I was booked for the second when I went in to Labour. I went from 2cm to 10 in less than 20 minutes. (I was already at hospital as my waters had broken and it was a second cS so needed checks) They rushed me to theatre and out he came!

It is classed as an emergency, it goes in category’s . You have a scar on your uterus which is a risk factor.

For example if a first time mum was having an ELCS and then you came in contracting, you would be the priority.

Most maternity units have two theatres and two teams, one for ELSC and one for EMCS.

They can’t make you have a natural birth just because you go into labour naturally however if your labour progressing quickly and it’s safer to have a vaginal delivery because you were say 8vm and processing fast then they would advise you.

Second babies don’t always come earlier, it can be a mix and every woman labours or goes into labour differently.

Have you discussed these concerns with your consultant or midwife and asked them to go through a birth plan?

Sorry I should have said, I had by first naturally, but this one is elective due to birth trauma and a 7h pushing stage causing significant damage.

The consultant is happy for me to have an elective but thinks I should consider vaginal if I go into labour before 39 wks. Which she seems to think is likely based on my first birth.

I've only had one apt with her and am scheduled another.

My first baby was 12 days early, my second was 7 days late. Hope all goes well for you OP

Due ELCS at 39 weeks for both mine went into labour at 37+5 for first and 33 weeks for second. Both very quick progressing labours. I have to say we really had to stand firm on the CS. The midwifes basically tried to shove me in a room out the way to carry on with a natural labour and pretended to be surprised that I was booked for a CS. My husband really had to put his foot (in my behalf) down on both occasions. My treatment 2nd time was quite disgraceful when going into labour with a premature baby for which they had already told me there were no free beds in NICU.
Be prepared to stand your ground

All 3 of my children arrived at 40 weeks + 6 days

First was 12 days late, second 10 days late and third emergency section at 37 +5. Third child by far the heaviest.

First was 6 days overdue

Second was 2 weeks overdue.

I thought the same as you and was expecting my second to come much earlier!

Hope everything goes well for you 👍🏼

Mine were - DC1 6 days over and DC2 10 days over.

With significant damage with your first, I’d want to be booked in earlier just to be on the safe side. Hope your appointment goes well.

Second child came three weeks one day earlier than the first.

I recently had an elcs and was told that if I go into labour its very unlikely there would be issues with doing the section as they have 2 theatres so only if both were in use would I have to wait. Tbh the section process was so quick that I doubt you'd deliver by the time they had space for you. Good luck!

DC1 was born at 38 weeks, DC2 40 weeks so second babies don't always come earlier.