1st baby was 10 days early - when I have an early c-sec next time around?

[Lauraa83]

My first ds was 10 days early (at 38 weeks). I went into labour naturally but after 31hrs of labour ended up being given an emergency caesarean because they realised at the last minute that I have a small pelvis!
So obviously I'll need an elective c-sec next time around but when do you think they'll plan it for as I had my first baby early(ish)?
They say having a c-sec while in labour is more risky, but then there's taking the baby out before it's ready, then there's something I read about 1st babies taking the longest so what if I was to go into labour even earlier with the 2nd??? Everything contradicts everything?!?!?!

Anyone been in a similar situation?

TIA

sorry title is supposed to say will I not when I!

I went into labout at 34 weeks with dd2 and ended up having a section.
When next pregnant I had a section at 37 weeks. Would have been 39 weeks but I had a different problem.

My ds arrived at 39 weeks and 5 days. For medical reasons I was booked to have an elective with dd-the hospital booked me in for it at...39 weeks and 5 days. I complained that this was cutting it fine but the only other option was 38 weeks and 5 days-and I was advised against this as it puts the baby at a slight risk.
The consultant's attutude was that if I went into labour before the elective-I would have an emergency c-section and this would not be a problem!
For normal pregnancies it appears the thinking now is that electives should not happen before the 39th week. May be different in your area though.

39th week for both my electives

they wanted to book me for a c-section at 38 weeks but as I wanted a vbac they let me go until almost 42 weeks.

Lauraa83 - it is not obvious that you will need a C/S next time. Your pelvis may have been small for that baby because of the baby's position and size. It does not necessarily mean the same thing will happen.

However, if it is agreed that a C/S is the best way to go, then 39 weeks is the better time to aim for. Because you went into labour early last time does not mean the same thing will happen again. There are many mumsnetters that can testify to that.

There are different levels of emergency C/S as well. Many are not in the least bit 'emergency'. If you had a planned date for C/S but then went into labour before that date, you would just have C/S when you were admitted in labour. You would probably be in early stages so the risk is really not that different from planned elective.

i had an em c/s after long labour - dd was born at 39 weeks.

I had to have an elective c/s with ds but the consultant opted for 37 weeks

Hello

Thanks for all the replies. So how does a consultant choose when is best? That's probably a silly question, I know it obviously depends on the individual case but what do they usually judge it on?

with my pregnancy the decision centred around leaving it as late as possible to allow the baby's lungs to mature fully. As Mears said having a section in the early stages of labour is not really an emergency.

Thanks again for all the info so what is it that makes an emergency more risky for the Mum then? Cos if you are in early labour your insides are still contracting aren't they? Sorry just wanna know everthing

I was always led to believe that a real emergency section was the situation where either the mother or the baby were at immediate risk of harm-therefore time was of the utmost importance.
In terms of contracting before the section-some books reccommend this as it kick starts the lungs into activity I think?!

A C/S always carries a risk of haemorrhage because it is an operation. However C/S after a long labour increases the risk of haemorrhage because the uterus often does not contract well (tired). It can also be that the baby is wedged in the birth canal making the operation more tricky. When done in early labour, the risks are probably not much different than elective TBH.

thank you so much you've been really helpful
one last thing - did you learn all this from a book or something? Is there a good one all about caesareans (incase I think of any more questions!) thanks

I am a midwife Lauraa83

this might help

doh!
thanks again!

just read all that mears, thanks it was really helpful!