Requesting a CS but not moving into area (Oxford) until about 32 weeks

[PenguinArmy]

I am in the US atm and we're due to move to the UK at 29.5 weeks. However we're assuming DH will take a few weeks to find somewhere for us to live, in the interim I will stay at my parents in Essex. Assuming we're moving to Oxford bar any better job offers magically appearing.

I want to request a CS, but heard somewhere they like to schedule you around 30 weeks. Also not sure how long it will take to register with MW and get consultant appointment.

Anyone want to set my mind at ease?

Why do you want a section? They aren't usually done on the NHS without a medical reason I'm afraid.

In my experience the mode of delivery is discussed earlier on in the pregnancy but actual decisions about it are not made until around 36 weeks or so. As long as you book with a midwife as soon as you move you should be given a consultant appointment fairly soon I would have thought. There are quite a few mumsnetters from the Oxford area so hopefully someone who knows the hospital there will come along to help you out soon.

With DD I had a third degree tear and still suffer some consequences so obviously want to avoid further damage. DD was born in the UK

My section with DS wasn't booked til I was 37 weeks, carried out at 39. Your GP should refer you to a midwife etc.

Thanks I just had a random panic moment (as you do)

It can take a while for a standard consultant referral from a GP to come through... mine have been done at 5 weeks pg and the appt for a consultant at the JR (hospital in Oxford) has come through for 12 weeks. So, as soon as you know the address you'll be moving to in Oxon, you should phone and register at the local GP surgery, and explain to the receptionist how far along you are in pregnancy and ask to see a mw urgently. A midwife should be able to fit you in within a week or two for a "booking in" appointment, as will need to do a set of notes for you etc..
At that appointment the midwife will discuss birth, and could do a speedy phone call to book yo in with a consultant. Oxon community midwives are generally very pro homebirth/anti intervention, but just be clear about the injuries you sustained previously.

Hi there, I had an em previous section at the John Radcliffe, Oxford and am hoping for an elective there this time round.

I have had one consult appt so far (think it was about 16 weeks if I remember, but could be wrong) - was a bit of a non event, just pointed me towards some info. Next see the consult at 37 weeks to make a decision (I assume). I would imagine in your circs that getting a consult appt quickly wouldn't be a problem - my midwife just rang up whilst I was there to book my appt.

If you do get a section at the JR my experience with the staff in the operating theatre was brilliant - can't praise them highly enough. Post natal care on the ward was pretty rubbish - will be trying to transfer to the midwife unit near my home asap if I do have a section. Good luck, hope it works out for you.

Hi. I'm a JR mummy too. Two previous vaginal (with intervention) births. Due to previous intervention/"almost" em cs/cervical issue, I'm referred to the ob. Seeing someone at his clinic at 22 weeks. Referral from GP was done at 11/12 weeks on the paperwork he filled in then. Had booking with mw following week.(As mentioned pro natural/homebirth/etc) Not sure if it was GP's ticking of the relevant box or the other cervical stuff that flagged me up for my ob appointment (or a mixture of both)
The theatre staff ARE fabulous( my almost em cs was a lovely experiance)
I'm sure that as soon as you know which part of Oxon you'll be based, the mw team will whisk you into the system quickly. Perhaps I'm naive, but IMO a cs can be suggested at anytime up to delivery so if a need arises at any point you can prob see a ob. Hope what I've typed makes sense!

Don't know about Oxford specifically but moved area at 19 weeks. Even thought I started trying to arrange booking in etc at 16 weeks it took a long time to get things sorted out and only just got my 20 week scan sorted in time. Contact your GP/mw team as soon as you know what area you're going to be in to try and avoid delays. Get copies of the relevant bits of your notes from your current HCP's and take them with you.

I had a section booked at the JR at 39 weeks, I wouldn't think it would be a problem. A friend of mine who had a third degree tear had some difficulty convincing the consultant that she wanted another VB the second time round, he was very keen on cs (again in the JR), so hopefully you wouldn't have to argue your case.

Second the theatre staff being brilliant, and post-natal care not quite so brilliant.. all midwives were lovely though, just overstretched.

Thanks all,

We will live near the Churchill, do most people give birth at the JR or is there a choice? I'm hoping there is a MW team, so if I know the area but not exact address I can register with them still?

the Churchill doesn't have a maternity unit does it? never heard of anyone going there. You'll be at the JR I think.

Not sure of the logistics of registering before you know the exact address you'll be living at, but am sure if you ring the GP practice in the area of Oxford you know you're going to be in, they'll be able to help. With the University etc I can't imagine you'll be the first in this position.

The Churchill doesn't have a maternity unit. I live in Wallingford and was offered the JR or the hospital in Reading (not sure of name - Royal Berks?) but living where you do I think it woudl just be the JR.

Definitely would go through your GP-to-be in the first instance. You would probably then be referred to the MW team at the JR.