Under what circumstances could I have an early-ish c section?

[Thesmokingcarriage]

am 36 wks with a breach baby. Due to have c section at 39 wks and before if I go into labour. I am so uncomfortable. I can't breathe. I can't sleep.

What sort of circumstances/symptoms would mean they'd take pity and let me have a c section earlier? (say 37 or 38?)

Very few now. Diabetes and ore eclampsia.

They probably would prefer not to, evidence shows that baby's lungs aren't as able to cope as well after a section before 39 weeks, anytime before, they would want to give steroids.

If you or the baby's life was at risk.

I had my son at 38 weeks. Unplanned emergency section. Baby wasn't well for a while. If your baby is fine and it's just you suffering I'd advise waiting.

Only if you or your baby's life is at risk.

They would only do it earlier if you or your babies life was at risk.

I don't mean to sound snarky but lots of women are uncomfortable in late pregnancy, it's just part of the parcel of being pregnant unfortunately. Sorry.

As Simon says, generally only if the baby's life was threatened or your own. You'd probably struggle to be delivered in a week or two and see baby in SCBU, or even just 'minor' difficulties with feeding, regulating temp or sugars, more prolonged jaundice, etc.

Mine was scheduled for 38 due to placenta and vasa previa - I couldn't have gone into labour with serious risk to us both.
38 is about as early as they'll go unless specific criteria are met - unfortunately feeling shote isn't one of them. Not meaning to trivialise how you feel, mind. By 38 weeks I was in a lot of pain. Ds was tiny and I felt irrationally guilty when I saw how delicate he was...
It's crap. Rest, feet up, see if you can bob around in a pool to unwind.