When scheduling an elcs, do they take into account previous early deliveries?

[ShowOfHands]

All theoretical atm. DH and I are having The Discussion about contraception and a lot depends on whether we are planning to have a 3rd. If not, he can go and be snipped at with sharp implements. His turn. But if not, have started pondering what would happen with a hypothetical 3rd dc.

I've had two emcs after two v long attempted vaginal deliveries. I now know that I can't deliver vaginally due to the shape of my pelvis. What this means is that my waters rupture prematurely due to the head usually presenting incorrectly in the 3rd trimester. Not too early though. 38 weeks with dd, 37 weeks with ds. Seems to be when they hit a certain weight and size and obviously with the 2nd dc this was a wee bit earlier. It's extremely unlikely that I'd ever reach 39 weeks when they like to schedule an elcs for and it's probable that my waters would break slightly sooner than with ds.

Would I have to schedule it for 39 weeks and then be treated as an emcs if my waters went prematurely again?

Not sure Showy but just overwhelmed for you that you have put the trauma of DDs birth behind you and are even talking of a third. Whoohoo.
Brill news and have to say am in same boat at the mo Although on different numbers obviously. Not sure if I want DH to get snipped but do not think any more is feasible given I am almost geriatric. The coil frightens me and am still BF so am crossing fingers every month.

In my infinite uninformed opinion I would think previous pregnancies must be considered when scheduling a elcs.

Charley

How is EVERYTHING? You're not geriatric at all. You're a whippersnapper. You and that super fit dh of yours.

Honestly Charley, manning up and getting on with having another has been like a cure almost. I never realised what it was supposed to feel like having a small baby. I assumed it was always a suffocating struggle where you cried most of the day. Now I have a baby and I feel, well, like me iyswim. Just me with a baby. I didn't know how bad I'd let it get until I let it get better. And it helps to know that I didn't cause it you know? I gave it my all, 31hrs with dd and 38hrs with ds and I know now. My pelvis is wonky. I just don't want another emcs because the malposition caused a few problems for dd's neck muscles when contractions started. It's not fair that she was black and blue and in pain for days and I'd like to prevent it happening to another one.

I don't feel done though. With dd I swore never again and begged dh to have a vasectomy. This time round, I can't quite let dh go for the op. And I can't throw the clothes out as he's growing out of them.

I had a copper coil before I conceived ds. Never again. Not sure what option I'd go for. Abstinence maybe.

Hi - I'm not sure if this helps, but I had a planned CS scheduled for 39 + 1, and then my waters broke at 37+5. I never actually had contractions or anything, just leaking waters.

They just confirmed my waters had gone, everything was ok otherwise, and did the CS as soon as they could fit me into theatre. Technically it was an EMCS, but in no sense was it an 'emergency', and it seems daft to call it that when it was absolutely nothing like any EMCS I've heard about. I'm sure my swift recovery was due in part to the fact that I never laboured, and was fairly well rested and healthy, so had optimal energy to recover (and bf). DS was fine - 1st APGAR of 9, then 2nd of 10, so he was obviously 'ready'.

It can happen that things kick off before an ELCS planned date - I think the key thing is that everyone knows you don't want a 'trial of labour' or to 'see how it goes' if that happens to you. As long as you go in as soon as you think something may be happening, there should be plenty of time to bring your CS forward.

I have an ELCS booked at 38 weeks for medical reasons and they do talk to you on a case-by-case basis, not set in stone on the 39 weeks for everyone, so you would either be booked in early or very well monitored for the last few weeks. They said to me if the baby was measuring small they would probably admit me and try and give it some extra time inside, so even if it was then technically an EMCS, it would be much more organised and happen much earlier in the labour process than most EMCS.

Thanks fruitybread.

The thing is, both times before labour started as soon as my waters broke, though with ds I couldn't feel much for the first few hours (ctg confirmed labour). So chances are the same would happen again. This would be fine but I know that the shape of my pelvis caused dd some problems. The contractions wedged her head into a corner (the only way they'll fit in my pelvis) and she was v sore and needed treatment afterwards for damage caused by the contractions. With ds, it was clear I needed another cs but because he was technically fine and I was technically fine, I waited from early in the morning (2 days after my waters broke) until nearly 4pm in the afternoon for a slot. I was nil by mouth, contracting, dh's 1 week paternity leave being eaten up and I don't particularly want to go through it again.

Thank you Runner. I do have an excellent consultant team who took all of my wishes into account with my vbac attempt so maybe it's a case of talking to them if/when it happens. Good luck for your elcs.

Ah, I see the problems SOH - I guess if you can get your consultant team on board so you have a notional ELCS date, but then very watchful and responsive 'monitoring' of your needs during the last 4 weeks, then that's as much as you can do.

I know what you mean about the nil by mouth wait - I was in at 8 am, then waited until late afternoon for a slot - it kept getting bumped down the list because of a couple of EMCS, but mainly theatre being used for instrumental deliveries. It wasn't comfy and I was quite low blood sugar (i.e majorly grumpy) by the time we went in - I think that's sort of impossible to get round though. On the other hand, I was still very grateful I was getting a CS, so sort of counted my blessings to balance things out. From what I understand, scheduled CS's only happen on time if there isn't an emergency on the way, so there's an unavoidable element of luck involved.

I do totally see that a planned CS without any labour-caused problems after what you've experienced before would be hugely preferable for you and baby. I'm sure if you have a good responsive consultant team, they can respond promptly to an early arriving DC3.

Hi SOH
I'm a bit further down the line than you are at present. I get my ELCS date for #3 tomorrow, I've also had 2 EMCS, under very similar circumstances to you.
I'd like (in an ideal world) to get my elcs at 38weeks, but have been told that this wont happen unless there are actual medical reasons for it, like high BP or something else. So I'm waiting to see what they say tomorrow, my BP and pregnancy has been absolutely fine, its the birth bit that I struggle with.
Its very strange knowing that there is an end in sight though. I know that if I go into labour early, they'll just bring forward my cs, as a planned emergency so to speak.
Its taken me 6 years to get over my DD's birth, and although much less traumatic, 4years to get over my DSs birth, and decide to go for #3. This time I'm cautiously happy about having yet another cs. I am totally over the "failure" thing now.
Good luck on deciding what to do about #3,

i've been booked for an ELCS at 39w 3d. My son was a week early but no one seems bothered about that! I have no underlying medical condition though to suggest I'll go into labour particularly early, though the odds would still be something like 1:4 I think of having baby before that date. They said they'd still do a cs unless baby was ready to pop out. Don't fancy it though in the middle of the night.

Showy right back at ya.

I just feel geriatric I think 40 (cough something cough) seems ancient and life seems to be flying by. H was 2, I beg of you, 2, this week. How did that happen.

DH seems to be getting thinner and fitter whilst get fatter and slower.

I agree, manning up and getting on with having another was a bit of a healing process for me. Obviously not a cure as there is not one for what I have, but, it has helped my feelings of failure and inability to grow perfect little babies.

I am so pleased for you that you know what it is like to have that feeling of small newborn baby and feel glad about it not upset.

I bet it really helps to know that you didn't cause it. I know in my heart of hearts that I didn't cause Bs problems but you can't help how it makes you feel some days can you.

Just be warned if you do have another there are so many people who will be rude to you and ask why you are having another as you have one of each already. Some people are just bloody rude.

I have to say I am not sure if I am done but think we cannot push out for another it would be too stressful, you should hear me in a morning yelling at them to get ready I am a fishwife

I am reluctant to get DH to have the snip as I never want to say never but do not want another at the moment. Why no to the copper coil? This is my problem I really do not know what method to choose, abstinence may be my only option.

Hopefully your BF this time will keep AF at bay for longer maybe it was stress related that it came back so soon with DD. Mine waited 15-18 months hoorah!
Hope you are all okay and please sniff that lovely baby smell for me. Don't forget when you are in Sheffield pop round for a cuppa.

Oops sorry for hijack of thread. I think if you are under the same team they will be aware of all your issues and circumstances and judge you as an individual (hopefully).

I've had 3 sections, 2 emerg and 1 planned. dd2 emcs cord wrapped around her body preventing her from descending, emcs for fetal distress. I was 40+2. dd3 planned section at 38+1, I got the section that early because I wanted to vbac but had placenta previa and at 36 weeks they said it was just too dangerous. I picked the date as it was 2.5 years exactly since dd1 died (at 25 weeks) stillborn after a cord prolapse, vaginal delivery). I was very emotional and my cons who has seen me at that point through three pregnancies gave me the date. I was given a planned date for dd4 at 39+ but my waters broke at 38+1. I was v slowly going into labour and had a cervical stitch in situ, so kind of an emergency as if I went quickly my cervix would tear. Had a emcs in middle of night, no proper cons on staff, crap registrars, crap section, gave me a different scar???!!!. Dc5 due early feb but cons has already written in my notes section at 38 weeks. I kinda hope 38+1 as it's my fourth section, I'd just like it a little earlier... I'm glad my cons wrote it in my notes as I think any old dr on duty would insist on 39 weeks.