To think I should have been given my date for section by now?

[Giltedged]

I am 37 weeks 4 days pregnant, and supposed to be having an elective section. Last appointment was last Tuesday, and I have no more scheduled appointments after this.

I have asked about it and was told a bit vaguely someone would ring me next week (so at 38 weeks.) I know sections are mostly done at 39 weeks, but I do feel as if they want to hold off as long as possible so that I end up having a natural delivery. The problem is I’m a bit worried I’ll end up with another EMCS which I’d really prefer to avoid.

Can anyone reassure me?

If you're booked for a section you'll still be given a section even if you go into labour before your booked date so they won't be holding off giving you a date from that point of view. I've had 2 sections and haven't had a date more than a week in advance either time. Good luck!

That’s good to know that it’s normal.

@goingdownswinging but it would be an emergency section, wouldn’t it? They did ask what my preference would be if I went into labour before my section date and I said I’d wait and see … I think the nerves are kicking in a bit now.

You'd likely be on the 'emergency' list because you're in labour but all being well it wouldn't be an 'emergency' as such. My local hospital (and probably others) just work an elective theatre and an emergency theatre. The emergency one is the most likely to have space because they wouldn't be running a 'list'. Does that make sense? The process would be the same regardless of what they call it.

It's strange as my section hasn't been booked either. They've 'forgotten' to book it. I've had to go on a waiting list as they've no spaces 10 days either side of my DD. I'm 37 weeks...

What is weird is that no one has explained the process to you. That's not right and I think you should definitely go back to them and ask clearly what will happen. It's also my advice for everything else in the labour ward and Post-natal ward: if you are confused or unsure, ask ask and ask again. Honestly my first experience was horrible because of that, and insisting to get answers made all the difference with my second.

Now for the elective C-section, the process in the hospital I went to was to have the pre-op call in the week before the planned C-section, and the date of surgery was only confirmed on that pre-op call. My last appointment with the consultant was at 36 weeks, and they confirmed at that point that I was scheduled for C-section in my 39th week (they should have told you that already), and the pre-op call was scheduled the day for the start of my 38th week after so again you should insist to know when to expect it.

My point exactly, don't let them fob you off, call your midwife and the appointment line to know when to expect a date according to their policy.

I meant to quote this post

In 2010, I had a date for my elective CS: the 16th. However, there were too many emergency sections that day, so it got pushed back to the 18th. So having a specified date isn’t a guarantee anyway.

Thanks so much for these answers especially the very informative one from @Berklilly . That was very clear and really
was helpful. Thank you

@bigbillybobhowler i hope you are sorted soon.

Just having a similar panic after going onto my app today and realising my appointment where I thought I was being given the date nice and early, just before 35 weeks, was cancelled and I now had an appointment in for 37 weeks 😬 I’ve had no letter or even a notification on the app to say any of this so have only noticed it by chance this afternoon. I know my trust have previously had weeks where it’s been too full and they’ve had to put people on a waiting list in the hope other people on the csection list will go into labour earlier so that’s panicking me a bit as I’m an anxious person anyway and really want to know when it will be asap 🙈