Chances of ELCS before 39 weeks?

[ColdMeatPlatter]

Hi I would appreciate some thoughts. I'm due to get a date for my ELCS @36 weeks (4 weeks time). For my previous section (my 2nd) the consultant seemed very keen to wait until at least 39 weeks. I didn't question her and had DS2 at 39+2.

I wonder how amenable a doctor would be to section at 38 weeks or closest to it when there is no medical reason as such. My DC are 4 and 2, and being in NI the school holidays are due to start 4 days after my due date. I live very rurally with no public transport within walkimg distance and the thought of being stuck in the house for 6 weeks of the summer holidays not being able to drive is making me feel a bit sick! Summer camp registrations are starting to come up for DS1 and I'd love him to be able to attend. DH will only be able to take a week off. Are there strict guidelines on this or is it at the consultants discretion? A week earlier would make a massive difference to us.

DS1 was born at 37 weeks by emcs and had no complications.

I had mine at 38 and 4, but only because I really pushed for it to be moved early. I was having a horrible pregnancy and ended up miserable and depressed. I had to burst into tears on a hospital floor for that to happen though!

You don't have to not drive for 6 weeks. I was driving locally at 2 weeks post section with my GP's agreement.

I would have thought practically no chance. They operate on medical grounds only, so think you might need to make whatever practical plans you can to make life easier. In my experience they are not willing to consider earlier than 39 weeks without very good (medical!) reasons. Hope it all goes well.

There are higher risks of breathing difficulties for the baby the earlier they do an elective, even a week earlier than 39 weeks makes the risk higher. To minimise this risk it is recommended that the baby is born as close to 39 weeks as possible.

I was induced for medical reasons at 38 weeks but ended up with emergency c-section. The first week was rough but I was driving with consent after 2.5 weeks and felt fine. Nobody knows how it will go but don't automatically write off the whole holiday.

I don't think they will bring it forward for convenience.

They can give steroids for an earlier section which addresses the small risk of breathing problems, so if you do get it moved OP ask about that.

It's rcog national guidelines. Of course a Dr can go against national guidelines if there is a reason to.

However I have personally known an otherwise healthy baby be born by elective section at 38 weeks plus a few days who developed Respiratory problems and subsequently died.

Of course there will be plenty of babies born by section at earlier gestations who have been fine (though emergency sections are very different as labour is thought to activate surfactant production which won't happen in an elective section). But the guidelines are there for a reason because the evidence and research shows that there is a big difference in outcomes between babies born at 38 weeks and 39 weeks.

I was driving 11 days after my section. It could have been earlier but my insurer wanted a GP letter and that was the earliest appointment I could get.

I wouldn't want an early baby if it wasn't medically necessary.

Thanks everyone I didn't realise the risks were SO much higher prior to 39 weeks with 37 being considered full term, obviously it's the safety of this baby that is paramount. I also didn't know that about labour and surfactant activation. I got fully dilated after spontaneous labour on DS1 at 37 weeks so that is interesting as he was a little mucousy but nothing out of the ordinary.

With the laSt 2 sections I genuinely didn't feel able to drive safely until around 4 weeks later so I assumed this would be the same particularly with leaning in and buckling car seats and seat belts etc. I sound precious I know! I also have a lot of family support if I need it I just usually like to be independent! I'll put it to them but won't push it. Who knows I could end up in labour a little early again.

Just pray for good weather for me lots of picnics and games in the back yard!

Good luck.

I had a section close to the summer hols and it wasn't that bad. Maybe I was lucky as I had friends come and take the two older children off my hands most days.

My OB had to justify to the hospital board any ELCS before 39 weeks. So you had to have a good Medical reason.

Its supposed to be at least 39 weeks due to the risks.

A report earlier this year found many hospitals were doing it earlier though. The result is there is a drive to crack down on it pre-39 weeks.

I'm having a timing issue with elcs too my DS is due to start school when I'm 38 + 5 if I could go in at 38 I would most likely be at home for school starting its going to be a nightmare at 39 weeks. I'm already terrified of giving birth without the extra stress but think they might tell me to piss off tbh

It really isn't worth risking breathing difficulties.

What is the actual statistics does anyone know? I've read 2.1% risk at 39 weeks and 5.1 a 38 weeks??