Can i request an early c-sect?

[TheBreastmilksOnMe]

I'm booked for a c-sect anyway but not had the date yet as im not due to see the consultant until I'm 34weeks. Now I'm huge, people are always commenting and expressing shock when I say I've another 7 weeks left but I was the same the last two times. I feel so self-conscious, like a freak and I hate going out for fear of more comments and looks and my hips/pelvis are playing up so I'm paying for a chiro which helps a bit. The physio I was referred to never even touches me, I just get a list of what to do/not to do which I already know but obviously with 2 children already I can't just stop being a mum! So what I'm wondering is if they will let me have a c-sect at 37 weeks instead of 39-40 which is what they do at my hospital I think.

Well you can but ask, but why you would want to expose your baby to a higher risk of things like RDS just for the sake of a couple of weeks as well as the SCBU time that comes alongside stuff like that. Honestly I'd suck it up, so you're big, it's not like you're concerned about pushing the baby out of a small exit, if that was the case I could vaguely understand but it seems as though you are prioritising your own vanity above the health of your baby.

As far as I'm aware term is 37-42 weeks so I don't believe that I'd be exposing my baby to unnecessary risk, and actually the reason I'm having a c-sect is just that, I am traumatised from my last two experiences of childbirth, so yes, pushing a baby out of a small hole, as you put it, and everything else that comes with it, has been the reason for this c-sect. It's affecting me in a negative way. I really didn't see it as being 'vain'. But thanks for that.

I think you need to take other people's comments out of the equation. They're (presumably) not medical experts, right? Lots of us get the "I can't believe you're not due yet!" remarks towards the end and they're annoying but they're not a good reason to push for an early c section!

The physical pain is another thing though: does it prevent you from daily tasks? Interfere with your life to an unsupportable extent?

If I were you I'd wait. But if the pain is unbearable I might consider an early birth.

Nothing to stop you from asking of course, but it seems unlikely they'll agree. The usual is 39 weeks, some hospitals will go to 38 I think. Before this would only happen if there is a serious medical need eg baby's growth has slowed/mother has GD etc etc. One of the reasons is that although 37 weeks is full term, the longer the baby is in the less chance there is of breathing difficulties - which there is a higher risk of anyway when baby is born by CS. Try to hang on as long as you can, every extra day will be beneficial to your baby and it's only a couple of weeks in the long run.

I had DD at 36 weeks (induced due to complications) and she spent no time is intensive care. In fact, we were both home within 16 hours of giving birth!

Sorry I was being snappy. But I think although 37 week is term it also comes with a higher instance of respiratory distress syndrome in babies born by elective section which is why many trust give steroids to try and combat this, a section is different to induction as above as your baby will not get that natural squeezing of fluid from the lungs . I think it would be worth reading up on. And the vain comment? Sorry that was uncalled for but it seems as though you'd rather have a section earlier than indicated because people keep telling you that you look big.

I had my last baby at 38+2, ( lmp date but 39+2 scan date) hospital deeply unhappy even though she weighed 10lb+. They have told me about this baby that irrelevant of if I have gd they will not section me till my 39th week. Not happy is an understatement, as I had all the comments that you are getting.

You need to try and ignore the comments. Someone said to me - seven months pregnant with my first - good god look at the size of you, you'll never push it out, you'll need a c-section.

That kind of rudeness is breathtaking, especially for someone having never given birth before. It terrified me. But you've been there, you know you are having a section, you need to try and ignore the comments about your size.

There are a lot of studies that indicate that babies born at 39 weeks statistically have a much better outcome and fewer complications than those born at 37 or 38 weeks, which is the reason why most elective c-sections are scheduled at 39 weeks. Obviously it doesn't apply to everyone any many babies are born early and are healthy but why risk it for vanity reasons? Here's one link but if you search, I'm sure you'll find several articles with results of those studies. www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=154728

Thanks all for your input I do feel particularly sensitive and hormonal, my kids are driving me bonkers today and my pelvis is SORE so I apologise if I sound a bit touchy holidayarmadillo. People can be a sooo rude when you're pregnant and the thought of another 7 weeks of hobbling around and getting looks and comments daily just makes me want to jump off a cliff. Of course I want the best for my baby and I know the longer she's left to cook the better I just can't help my feelings on days like today. It's wearing me down.

Late pregnancy can be SO long and uncomfortable so I definitely understand and the kids tend to know exactly what to do to push buttons, especially when you feel the worst. Hugs.

Awwww Thebreastmilksonme late pregnancy is SO hard :( I only have one so I can't imagine how hard it is with two children already. People are rude, they don't think about what they're saying and they seem to think a pregnant woman is public property to comment on.

Poor you :( Can you at least try and submerge yourself in a nice warm bath tonight, after the children have gone to bed? Poor love, it's not easy

Please don't be kind to me I might start crying! Im going to take your advice, and go and wallow in a nice deep bath. Thanks mrscd and zebra x

Hope you are havin a better day today. I have asked if they will do my ELCS at 38 weeks and have been told outright no, they will plan it for 39 weeks and if labour starts naturally before then they will just do c-section immediately.

My reason for an ELCS is a very traumatic birth with my DS which included shoulder dystocia and a 4th degree tear. My waters broke at 38+1 and my DS was 8lb 2oz so not small and was 'fully cooked' with no vernix or signs of being early. I'm hypermobile and at a slightly higher risk of waters breaking early, so combine with my DS's weight i am concerned about going into labour naturally early.

I too am getting comments and the look of shock on peoples faces when i say actually i'm only 27 weeks so still got 3 months to go is quite fun to watch.

You've had quite a traumatic time havnt you craving, poor you. I'm hypermobile too, I wonder if that's why we have larger than average bumps? Our ligaments are overly stretchy.

I've had 3cs's. The most recent was scheduled for 39wks (as per hosp guidelines). This was brought forward to 38wks because my spd was so bad i'd been unable to walk for the previous 3months. There is no way my cons would have done it earlier unless my baby was ill and required it.
As it was i needed steroid injections (statistically, if you deliver prior to 39wks, babies are more likely to suffer lung complications) to try to prevent lung issues. I reacted badly to the injections.
Dd was transverse and i looked big felt & looked like a bloody whale.

Good luck with getting through the next few weeks.

Sorry, forgot to say dd did arrive safe and healthy. Nothing wrong with her lungs!

Seeing the physio (6 mnths later) as still have difficulty walking. Making slow progress.

While it sounds horrible to be in pelvic pain and like the next few weeks are limping along, it really is best to leave the cs for as long as poss.

A friend had first cs at 39 weeks. 9.5 pound baby. All well.

Second was scheduled for 38 weeks because she wanted a specific consultant, which with hindsight she regrets. Baby fine now, and was a fret weight at birth (9 pounds). But she had a pretty stressful time in hospital,a for about 4 days because his blood sugar levels were all over the place and he was grunting a fair bit. She said while he was big, he just wasn't cooked. But he's fine now.