Emergency c section delayed due to electives?

[JenS16]

I was admitted yesterday for an emergency (category 3) c section and they can’t fit me in today as the list is full of electives! Hopefully tomorrow but they can’t say for sure.

I am fully in support of women having a choice when it’s comes to childbirth but AIBU to think that emergencies should be prioritised over electives as there is a risk to the baby of waiting??

(I know I don’t know the situ of the women but waiting for electives but as they are not classed as emergent I would assume there is lower risk or they’d be re-classified…)

Some sections take a very long time because of the situation that led to them. I was in theatre following a lady who ended up having a 4 hour C-section. I was happy to wait, as I was content that I was in a much better place than she was right then, but they obviously hadn't expected it to take that long.

The staff did try and keep me up to date with when I was due in though, so do ask staff where you are on the list and tell them how it feels to be you now. They may be able to assure you of how baby is and where you are on the list.

I don't know what category my emergency cs was, I was taken straight to theatre and ds was born within minutes. It was incredibly quick - they don't mess around if it is a genuine emergency.

Mine is tomorrow and is technically an elective. A vaginal birth will kill me or the baby. There is one surgeon at my hospital who can do the section. She’s working Thursday and Friday to ensure me, and the other high risk women on her list are seen. Surely it also counts as to how many consultants or registrars are on that day too?!

That's weird - I was in for an ELCS at 7am and didn't have it until 5pm due to (rightly) being bumped for several emergencies.

@SoCalledManHatingFeminist
I had to have a cs due to pre-eclampsia with both pregnancies. They were too early for there to be any chance of a successful induction and my kidneys and liver were shutting down so I couldn't manage an attempt at it anyway.

Hoping you're okay and that your baby is almost here OP ❤️

You shouldn't. Your comment was insanely rude when OP is going through stress and uncertainty.

@JenS16 I'm so sorry you're having such a worrying time! I haven't read the full thread, but I did also have an emergency section (late at night!) with DD.

There was a concern that she might need an immediate section at one point, and I was beyond terrified and questioned them so closely about how long it would take / priority etc. they told me that in that scenario, they can get the baby out within 15 mins - in a 'worst case scenario' they will put you under as you go and immediately remove the baby. Whilst that sounds beyond awful, it did reassure me that if it got serious, there was an immediate plan.

In the end, I had a failed induction (not sure if that's your scenario) and DD heart rate was too high. When they stopped my drip her heart rate came down, but my water was broken already and there is a maximum length of time before they must deliver. I wasn't an immediate emergency, but I needed the operation. I think mine took place within a few hours, I recall that my surgeon had to leave and let his assistant finish up because he (and the paediatrician) got pulled out at the end for a serious emergency.

What I took from all of that is that if they need to do it, they will do it, and they will prioritise the baby and you if the emergency is there.

However, I don't think reminding them about you or asking questions is at all the wrong thing - I found it really hard because you want to trust the doctors but also your baby is the most important person in the world to you and you want to make sure they get all the care they need.

If I were you, I'd ask the doctors everything you want to know. Why did they say 2-24 hours if they arent doing it in that time. What are the risks here? What do you need to look out for and be on high alert for? What's the plan if things get more serious - how fast can they deliver and where will they do it? Get as much info as you need, and keep asking until you are satisfied.

I'm sure the doctors know exactly what they are doing, but you may feel better if you know the 'worst case' plan to reassure you

if people stop voting terrible governments with terrible policies maybe they’ll make the UK an attractive enough place for Nurses and Doctors to stay and you’ll get your C-section on time!

I think you’re confusing “unplanned” with emergency.

My baby was out within 11 minutes, from when I signed on the green sheet to her being on my husband’s chest.

P.s I hope you’re okay, OP.

I wastrying to think of wording, but you phrased it much better than me. Horrible thing to say.

Not sure what you’re trying to achieve by posting here. NHS is in pieces and under a lot of pressure, queues for ambulances, for A&E, hospital beds etc. Do you want women to stop planning c-sections? It’s not going to benefit you at the moment. As for your baby’s welfare - you’re in the best place. Hopefully they can fit you in soon but I’m sure they’re monitoring your baby’s heartbeat, any signs of distress - they will bump your category. If you feel that something is wrong my advice is exaggerate and advocate for yourself. Being in the hospital is a lot like being being back at school - if you’re too quiet, they will forget about you because they have too much to deal with. Good luck! P.S: start harvesting colostrum if it’s safe for you to do so.

Yeah this. I had a 'crash' section with my first and it was 30 minutes between being told it was needed and baby being out. Didn't even wait for her dad to arrive.

I then had two electives. The first was at 9am but the second didn't happen til mid afternoon because of emergencies pushing it back. I had to be there at 8am for both and just went in when there was space.

I realise this must be a worrying time but IME they will be monitoring you closely . I was really ill during the latter stages of pregnancy from
25 weeks onwards. We always knew it would end up in EMCS. I got very close to my twins coming out by EMCS on a number of occasions before they did - I went nil by mouth for the first time in week 27 and had all the cannulas in before my condition stabilised & it was stood down. They were finally born at 31 weeks . The paediatricians were keen to keep the twins in as long as possible so they could continue to develop - every day counted in development terms . But I was closely monitored - even when my condition deteriorated rapidly we still had several false alarms . I was seriously unwell but never at any point felt unsafe. So provided you are being regularly monitored the best thing is to chat to your midwife for some reassurance and try not to stress too much - I know that is easier said than done. Best wishes

Any updates op? Sending you much love, your in the right place xxx

No idea where you got that from. There's 4 csection categories

1. Immediate threat to life of mum or baby -30min from decision
2. Mum or baby is compromised but no immediate life threat - normally taken as 75min in most trusts
3. Non urgent but not prebooked (normally failed inductions) - no time frame as non urgent
4. Elective when suits the unit

That’s awful. I’m so sorry you went through that. I guess I didn’t know how bad it really could get! I hope you are doing much better now! 🙏🏻

@JenS16 🌺🌸💐I hope you get your cs soon and everything goes well.

Hope the OP has had her section now.

Ive had 4 emergency c-sections and have always been in the theatre within 30 minutes.

You obviously aren't as much of an emergency compared to others.

As someone who had PROM at 37+4, failed induction at 37+5 then eventually had a c-section at 38+0. My section was delayed 12hrs due to higher risk sections taking priority. DH and I ended up sleeping until they eventually called us in at 5am.

I appreciate how scared you must feel but know they won't risk the health of you and your baby. Try not to worry

I had a section last week. I didn't want it, but it was a necessity. It was still an elective as it was planned. I did get moved back for an emergency, maybe even more than one, but was eventually told they would not move me back again as I couldn't be left until the next day.

These things have to be flexible as staff need to continually make decisions based on medical need. Noone is going to leave an emergency situation until after one that is being done purely on patient choice.