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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Wondering what to expect of a section at 38 weeks exactly...

26 replies

EliBoo · 31/10/2006 16:33

..I was booked in today, for a section at 38 weeks to the day. The reason is mostly transverse lie, and its a second baby so they don't want to risk my going into labour in case of prolapse. If she turns before then, and is in a stable cephalic lie, the section will be cancelled - but otherwise it looks like 38 weeks.

I was expecting a section, if baby stays transverse - but was hoping for 39 weeks+. Any idea on what an extra week early might mean for baby? Is she likely to need any special care? Should I be buying teeny baby clothes? Nappies? I know its full term, but...can't help being just a bit worried..any experiences welcome.

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MKG · 31/10/2006 16:40

I was induced at 38 weeks and I used newborn diapers and 0-3 clothes (ds was swimming in them though) He was 6lb 1 oz.

I think (this is only from friends and family) they do a C-section at 38 weeks because it is considered full term but early enough to make sure you don't go into labor. How far along are you now?

Original poster

EliBoo · 31/10/2006 16:42

I'm 34+4....but as I have a slightly septate uterus, and dd was also transverse, the odds of things changing are slim. I'm going for weekly apts now, so plenty of opportunity to reassess...

That really helps, re weights, clothes, etc...thanks!

OP posts:

Bibliophile · 31/10/2006 16:44

My 37 week caesarean baby was a big fat 8lb 4oz. No special care.

lulumama · 31/10/2006 16:49

my nephew was born (vaginally) at 38 weeks......he was 6 lb 3 and absolutely fine , breastfed immediately.....

38 - 42 weeks is the normal range of a pregnancy..with 38 weeks being considered full term...baby would be most unlikely to need any help after birth and with regular monitoring, any potential problems re size should be picked up on...

newborn clothes rather than 0-3 seemed to be better as did the newborn nappies

if looking to be smaller than 6 pounds, then 'tiny' baby clothes & nappies are available...don't buy too much , there will always be someone who can buy stuff for you if baby is bigger or smaller than expected!

MKG · 31/10/2006 16:50

I need to add that he was 19 inches. My sister on the other hand had her section at 38 weeks had a 7.5 lb and 22 inch baby.

Don't worry about it. Just stay positive and remember that you will get to see your baby sooner than you thought!

nogoes · 31/10/2006 16:50

I had a section at 37 weeks. Ds was 6lb 140z and did not need any special care, I did buy early baby babygros's as the newborn ones just swamped him. Good luck .

FioFio · 31/10/2006 16:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

MKG · 31/10/2006 16:55

Oh and as lulu said all early birds came out fine. I do need to add that both my and my sister ds's were both a little extra sleepy for the first week or so. My ds didn't want to eat at all for three days. He kept falling asleep before he could latch on (scary at the time, but funny as I look back) He just slept. I have a theory that he just wasn't cooked enough. If this happens don't worry and don't think that it lasts.

Original poster

EliBoo · 31/10/2006 16:59

Thanks, all of you...am now reassured, and very excited

I do remember dd being sleepy, which seemed great at first (I could sleep too!) but then scary, because she lost weight and ended up under lights. Don't think I'd worry as much second time around (she was fine after a week) but good to prepare myself.

OP posts:

lulumama · 31/10/2006 16:59

i think the vast majority all do ok at 38 weeks...would be loathe to say never an issue, but 38 is considered full term....and therefore , all should be well.....

babypowder · 31/10/2006 20:39

DD was delivered at 38 weeks by C-section, 6lb 13oz. She was a little slow to pick up breastfeeding, and lost quite a lot of weight in the first week. Soon got the hang of it, BF for 2years (liked it so much she almost bought the company!)and is now a strapping 4 year old.

fizzbuzz · 31/10/2006 20:49

Dd was born at exactly 38 weeks by section, weighing 6lb 15 oz. Very sleepy for about 2 weeks, then showed true colours, also had fuzz or fur all over her, espcially on her ears! All gone now though.

MamaMaiasaura · 31/10/2006 20:59

Emerg cs @ 38 weeks. He was 8lb 12oz, mild jaundice, also blood sugars needed monitoring and he was still furry. Didnt need scbu. Developmentally he is fine, reached all milestones. Dont worry x When is the big day?

NAB3 · 31/10/2006 21:05

My son was born by emergency section at 38 weeks. He was 6lb 12.5oz, needed oxygen, an x-ray and a heat lamp but no special care. I started with newborn nappies and babygrows but 0-1month sleepsuits were good too. He is now 5years old and 3 stone 4lb, and has no problems at all.

buktus · 31/10/2006 21:08

my last 2 setions were one at 37 weeks 9lbs and my last at 38 weeks 6lbs 9ozs, slightly jaundice so her birthweight dropped but no special care or anyhting good luck

nutcracker · 31/10/2006 21:14

I had a section at 38 weeks and Dd1 was perfectly fine, no problems at all. She weighed 6lbs 8oz.

iliketrees · 31/10/2006 21:17

DD was born at 36 weeks (planned section) and she was 5lb 2oz and stopped breathing briefly and went to SCBU for a day - fine after that, gained weight and reached all development milestones (but I did count her from her real due date for the first year just to give her the benefit of the doubt). A very bright and physical 4 year old now. DS was born at 38 weeks (planned section again) but my new consultant pushed me to 38 weeks because at that stage baby is fine to have section with much less chance of problems occuring. And true enough he was fine, still smallish at 5lb 14oz but no problems at all - and I didn't count him from due date developmentally cos close enough. I think the main prob with planned early sections is that baby is totally unprepared for birth and a small minority of babies may have breathing difficulties. But my consultant was very confident that 38 weeks is absolutley fine in that respect. It's glib to say don't worry you'll be fine but having gone through both experiences I can honestly say I really enjoyed DS birth and both me and him were really relaxed and loved up (unlike my poor DD I'm afraid Good luck and enjoy it if you can. x

Original poster

EliBoo · 31/10/2006 21:26

MNers, you are stars. Thank you. I hope my bp stays stable, and we make it to 38 weeks....feeling a lot happier about it all now

awen, the planned date is 24th November: three weeks on Friday!

OP posts:

MamaMaiasaura · 31/10/2006 22:21

Wow, so not long at all! though this was fun

womba1 · 31/10/2006 22:30

My c-section was carried out at 37+4 and my dd weighed 8lbs 10oz. All she did was eat... and eat... and eat! Everytime the midwives or doctors came round to check on me or my dd, there she was, quite happily mumching away on me. When i had the curtians pulled round my bed, they wouldn't even bother with me because they knew baby would be eating and they didn't want to disturb her!
Good luck Eliboo!

womba1 · 31/10/2006 22:31

Oops... i should have said munching.. however, mumching sounds rather appropriate!

Original poster

EliBoo · 31/10/2006 23:00

Thanks again! awen, how nice of you to post that - made me laugh, sounds just like dd1 (whose b'day is 22nd Dec). Womba, am hoping for a mumching munchkin just like yours

OP posts:

pucca · 31/10/2006 23:23

I was booked for my section @ 39 weeks, but i actually went into labour @ 38 weeks so section was done then.

Baby was ok, was a little grunty for the first 12 hrs or so, his oxygen levels were low but they kept monitoring it and they eventually came up, then his blood sugar was low too, again this came up with regular feeding so he stayed with me although there were talks of taking him to baby unit.

The size i can't really comment on as my ds was big, he weighed 9lb 6oz @ 38 weeks so obviously he wasn't fitting into newborn clothes at all.

Good luck and hope all goes well for you

Christie · 31/10/2006 23:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

amyjade · 01/11/2006 11:46

When is your section Eliboo?
I am booked in for an elective on the 17th November due to two previous caesareans.
Dd2 was born at 37+5 weeks weighing 8lb 8, she was a bit cold for an hour or so but other than that she was absoulutely fine.
Hope all goes well.

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