Elective C-section mamas - I have a question!

[MyGrassIsBrowner]

If you were booked in for a section, and went into labour before your date, what happened?

I am booked in for a section in October for baby no.2. My first labour was fast at a mere 4.5 hours. But I went overdue by 6 days. I have this innate fear that this one will come early and potentially even faster. I'm just curious what the protocol is or if any of you ladies have experienced this scenario yourself and what you did?

Look forward to your replies! X

It depends on the reason for the c section and how far along you are when you get to hospital, as well as whether there is a theatre and staff for you.

If you still want the c section, there is enough time, and the availability for it, then usually it classed as a low level emergency section and you just slot in on the day. Even if you want the section but too far along or not the staff, you can end up giving birth vaginally so bear that in mind.

You would usually discuss in advance what you want to happen if you go into labour naturally. I had agreed with my consultant that I would try for a natural birth but I know plenty of people who agreed they would proceed with the c section if possible.

Typically c sections are booked in a week before due date, unless they are a last resort to avoid induction for being overdue.

Thanks for your reply @BlueSurfer. My request is purely maternal I did however have a fairly traumatic albeit instrumental-less birth but
I have low grade rectocele and I am honestly petrified of making things worse with a subsequent VB. I also have horrific PGP this time around and can honestly not imagine going through natural labour again.
My request for section was granted pretty easily but I am obviously anxious about this and haven't yet had chance to speak to my midwife about it.

I asked that very question today to my consultant, they said it’s entirely up to me and to discuss it when I get to hospital. If everything good baby head down and labour progressing etc I think I will do vbac otherwise I will continue with ELCS if there is space in the day to do so

Ahh thank you ladies for your replies! Ideally I'd like to still go ahead with the section however I would worry if it became an emergency situation and it not end up being the calm experience I originally hoped for. Such a hard descision isn't it. I am only 3 minutes from the hospital though and DP can be home from his work in 10 minutes so I guess time would be on my side in that respect.

If you think you are going into labour earlier than the scheduled date, I would ring the hospital straightaway to say you are coming in and for them to prepare for your arrival. It’ll just help a bit if progress quickly and when you arrive, you don’t have to go through the whole discussion of what you ideally want.

This happened to me with dd2. Section was booked for a week before due date but she came a week before (2 weeks before she was due). They asked me when I phoned in whether I still wanted a section and when I said yes they had me come in asap so they could try to avoid me being too far along for the surgery. All was fine as I was only 4cm when I arrived. They did blood work etc and said I would need to wait until morning when more surgeons were in (I arrived about 1am), but there were decelerations on the trace so they decided to just go ahead straight away. It was still really relaxed and a very positive experience. I was allowed too choose music, DH had the option to watch the surgery if he wanted, cut dd's cord etc and the midwives were chatty and calm through the whole thing. It was nothing like the drama of dd1's emcs and I have not one negative memory about it at all. Hopefully your baby will hold tight until the elcs date but if not, it can still be a calm and orderly experience!

@BlueSurfer Yeah I think I'd call the hospital immediately and then it'd be a case of holding tight until my DP got home (if he was at work at the time)

@Ca55andraMortmain Thank for your reply! It sounds like you had a really nice section even though you'd gone into labour beforehand. That gives me hope. Although I know everyones situation is different.
I'm 31 weeks at the moment and I am getting pretty regular Braxton Hicks this time and I am just hoping that it's not an early sign 😂

My waters broke at 38w2d when I had an elective booked in for my due date. Went into triage and was told waters gone but no contractions. The midwives kept asking if I didn't want to just try vaginally but I just reiterated that I wanted to continue with an elective. Was put onto a ward overnight and then the elective was scheduled for 11am the next day. Once the surgical staff became involved, there was no more questioning my decision and everything went smoothly.

Mine was part medical/part maternal request.

I have a similar fear OP! I am booked in in 3 weeks time for a c-section at 39 weeks. They have told me just to call up and go in the moment contractions start if I go into labour before 39 weeks and they'll do the section then. Slightly concerned as we're going away this week (35-36 weeks) and will be hours away from our hospital. She'd better not make an early appearance!