Can I specify when I would like ELCS and where I am on the list due to M.E./CFS?

[CrapBag]

My hospital do it at 39 weeks, which I will be next Wednesday. They do ELCS on Thurs, Mon and Tues. They have said it will either be the 3rd, 7th or 8th. Obviously the 3rd is the day after I am 39 weeks. The 7th and 8th are 1 and 2 days before my due date.

Baby is breech, although I know she went head down and engaged on Tuesday, then that night she popped out and turned back to breech again.

My DS's birthday is 31st Jan and I would like a slight gap (stupid reason I know), plus it may give her more chance to turn (ECV failed). If they phone me and tell me they are booking me in for the 3rd, can I request that they wait until the 7th or 8th or will they go with what they want to do?

Also they do 3 a day, 1st one is at 8.30, last one is around 1.30. I have M.E. and if I don't eat regularly, I get very very weak and shake like mad and feel quite ill (as I did when waiting for my ECV after having nothing after cereal at 8am and ECV was done at 1pm. I don't want to feel like this just before major surgery and for the recovery after. Can I request that I am first or even second on the list? I know I am going to feel sooooo ill if I have to sit and wait around until 1.30.

Not sure I get the bit about being close to ds' birthday given his birthday is 3 days before the 1st possible date for the ELCS.

You can certainly request the first slot & would need to be first in in the morning, you have a legitimate reason, but it's always possible you'd get bumped by an EmCS, so no absolute guarantees.

Thats the problem, all 3 women who are having ELCS have to be there at 8am regardless of where you are on the list. Sitting around at the hospital for hours and not being allowed to eat is going to make me feel pretty ill. I hope they can take it into account (obviously EMCS can override this).

You would be nil by mouth anyway, whether in hospital or not. You could always request the earliest slot when you go for pre-op assessment, and ensure you are there a bit earlier on the actual day just to reinforce your first in queue status I was about 40mins late for the 7.30 check in - which they knew about in advance - because of childminder/nursery drop off (so can be accommodating ime) - but was still in theatre by 10am.

Nil by mouth will be a lot easier from the night before though, if I can get the first slot, rather than having to wait until 1.30. I forgot about the pre op assessment. I certainly will ask then, thanks.

How many days in advance of the op do they do this? And do you know whether they will let me choose the later date? I am still hoping that the baby will turn again.

I'm having an Elcs and don't get a pre-op assessment. We just turn up on the day and hope for a short cue! The do 4 a day here - a friend of mine had to be in a 7am and didn't take her down until 5.30pm! Desperately hoping that doesn't happen!

But you still might not get in there until after lunch if there a lot of emergancies?

If no pre-op, ask at next consultant app, if you have one, they have to book you in at some point.

Not sure you can specify either tbh. Think you could probably make a request explaining your reasons. However, there may be women with greater medical need than you for the first slot such as insulin dependant diabetics or a woman whose baby/ies is likely to need SCBU in which case they may be considered greater priority (aside from any ECS).

If they won't commit to giving you the day and time you want, maybe you could request some IV fluids while you wait to help you remain hydrated (they can add glucose) and on an even keel blood sugar wise?

sorry aside from any EMCS*

For the date, as you want one of the later ones then if they schedule you for the 3rd just say you won't go in. You might be better off saying that you want to wait longer to give the baby more chance of being full term rather than saying about your DS's birthday. That should be easy to do as they're not going to book you in if you tell them you won't turn up.

Not sure whether you'll be able to get the time slot you want, it probably depends what they've got free when they book you in, but fingers crossed for you.

Oh I wouldn't tell them about it being close to DS's birthday. I know I am being daft about that (and DH doesn't understand it).

I will say about wanting to give baby longer to turn but I wouldn't say that I won't turn up, they may remember and make sure I am messed around and last on the list when I ask for an early slot. Don't want to piss them off really.

Ask for a fluid drip. I had a semi-elective cs due to failed induction and kept getting bumped by emcs. Ended up being nil by mouth for about 30 hrs but insisted on a drip and was fine (I have Fibro and get migraines).

If you don't want to go in on the date they offer, tell them you're you can't make it as you'll be otherwise engaged.

What are they going to do, turn up at the house and drag you in?

2 good points there.

I will ask for a drip (if I can't get one of the first appointments. The thought of having to sit around waiting drives me insane though. I have had to do it up that bloody hospital quite a few times recently and I end up feeling sooooo exhausted, and this is when I am not nil by mouth.