C-section at 37-38 weeks - your experiences please!

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Hello all

Have been having a back & forth with the hospital over how to deliver dc4 for some time. I have several issues, rare vascular condition, previous embolism (on clexane) plus more. Hospital have been insistent on C Section for some time (dd1 & 2 VB, dd3 CS) but I was determined to have a VBAC. I have massive vulval swelling (sorry tmi!) which was suspected to be varicosities. It now looks that it could be linked to my vascular issue which originates in my pelvis/groin.

I saw several people at hospital today after my 2nd growth scan (34w) and I was very strongly advised to opt for a C Section as the risks of vaginal delivery are huge (had severe rupture in 2006 & lucky to be here ). They are better equipped to control bleeding & monitor me more closely if I have the section. So I reluctantly agreed. I hated my last section and harbour a lot of anxiety as my embolism was 3 days after it.

HOWEVER...they would like to deliver at around 37 weeks as soon as I am term as the swelling is getting out of hand now and is set to get much worse. I argued that I was concerned about baby facing breathing/bf difficulties being born so early, and managed to push them up to 38 weeks. I still refused to set a date and have agreed to go back at 36w to have the situation reviewed.

So my question is, has anyone had a section at 37 weeks and if so, were there any complications with baby??

Any information would be great, very worried about this now .

I can totally understand your worries. However, I'd go with your consultant's advice. I was on clexane throughout both pregnancies, and this time was delivered early because of risk of cord prolapse. After much discussion my cons made it clear that firstly breathing difficulties are not a given just because you deliver early and secondly the risk to me and in turn the babies was far greater. I had my twins at 36 weeks by elcs, and they were both totally fine, pink and healthy! I however had a whopping PPH and was told it would likely have been even worse if the pregnancy had gone on longer.
Very best of luck x

I had one at 36 weeks, perhaps not typical of what you want to know, as it was an emergency after induction due to IUGR (baby's heartbeat went down during labour). Ds was absolutely fine, looked a bit skinny with tiny legs and enormous balls- but then he did have IUGR apart from the 36 weeks. APGAR score no problem, breastfeed without difficulty and started piling on weight without problems, left hospital as soon as I was ready to leave, no concerns about him.

Dd was born vaginally at 37 weeks (IUGR and induction) and already looked like a term baby except that she was covered in fur like a baby chimp. BUt again, no need for any particular care.

DD was delivered at 37 weeks. She was perfectly well and has remained that way.
We were in a pretty third/developing world country. It was a normal straightforward CS and she is alive and well.
Do take your consultants advice, I truly doubt they would try to steer you wrong and it costs much more to have a CS than a VB.
Good luck to you and your new baby.

DD was born at 39+2 by CS after failed IoL from 38+2 (I had PE and OC). DD really wasn't ready - had to be forcepped out as she was so high in me and came out covered in vernix. She had feeding difficulties and fluid on her lungs/stomach (due to being dragged through fluid by forceps) and spent 3 days in SCBU.

She's my first though and big, late babies run in both sides of the family, so I think she was "meant" to be a big 42week baby, hence why she came out looking early at 39 weeks. As you're on your 4th, this probably isn't an issue for you.

And anyway, after a tough initial 2 weeks, she's done great and has been ebf with no top-ups since about 6 weeks old.

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences. My main concerns are without doubt the potential breathing and feeding issues. No concerns re weight as my 3 have all been big, and DD was a dash under 9lbs at 39 weeks so I'm sure I'm cooking an equally healthy dc this time too !

Your reassurances are so helpful, it's easy to worry myself sick and I agree that the consultants wouldn't deliver and put baby at risk. Just a little bit that baby may be here 5 weeks sooner than I was expecting (was prepared to go to 42w!)

My earliest was emergency cs at 35+6 - she didn't have breathing problems but required tube/cup feeding for 3 days & had a few days for phototherapy for jaundice - it was harder to get breastfeeding going because she was sleepy from the jaundice but after the first couple of weeks there were no problems.

My others have been between 37+6 & 38+2 (elective sections) and have had no problems at all - breastfeeding, breathing, jaundice, keeping warm etc. My latest one is booked for 37+2 & I'll be having steroids a couple of days before hand as a precaution - it's risks/benefits, sections are usually booked for 39 weeks here but this will be my 6th & I have a clotting disorder so higher risk of the placenta failing. Neither the consultant nor I am happy to go much beyond 37 weeks (even without the previous sections 38 weeks is the absolute latest that I feel safe(ish) with them still inside).

My dd was delivered at 38 weeks by elective C-section. I was already in hospital due to polyhydramnious (from 36 weeks) but the consultant wanted to wait until 38 weeks to deliver. They thought she would be on the large side (was 9lb 4) and mentioned that bigger babies occasionaly struggle more than smaller ones with being born early.

However, as others have said, they wouldn't deliver early without a good reason and I would go with the consultants advice.

37 weeks it is then, they were assertive about it and I argued as I was convinced earlier=inevitable problems, but from the great advice here I feel much more at ease with it. Find out the date at 36 weeks so will have about a weeks notice...better get everything ready then!!

Ask your obstetrician for steroids to help prepare your baby's lungs for the early delivery. The Royal College of Obs and Gynae have a new guideline (out this year)which advises this for women having an elective section before 38+6 weeks.
Good luck

My twins were born at 34&3 and had no breathing difficulties and both were under 6lb, we came home after 5 nights (emcs)
I would follow your consultants advice.

I had DS by EMCS at 37 weeks. He was absolutely fine, no breathing issues at all and weighed slightly more than full term DD!

Hello, i had an emcs at 37+6 and my friend had one at 34 weeks ans both babies thrived. Mine needed a little help with breathing when she first emerged, as it were, and developed jaundice but was fine. I generally found that she was quite congested for about 8-10 weeks but I think that is typical of a c-section?? Good luck with it all, as long as you and baby are safe you'll be great x

Well the good news is I went back thurs to see the consultant and managed to push them up to 38+5!! So 3rd May.

I know it's only about a week more but it's a week longer for little one to cook. That said they did say that if anyone who was booked for ELCS on 28th April delivered before they would be getting me in! They wanted me in then but the theatre list is full so mine had to be put back by 5 days.

However I have to see my consultant AGAIN this Thursday so they can check me over and monitor me. .

We shall see! I have a friend who demanded an ELCS for her first baby 3 weeks ago as she had SPD and she can't believe I dont want an earlier date!

Me? I want as much sleep as possible before dc4 arrives!!