How early can a c-sec be done

[Mistiek]

Hi Ladies, please help I am soooo confused and dont know who to talk to who will understand...
I have a C-sec booked for the 29 March and had decided that if baby came earlier than that I would try for a VBAC but if not then would have the C-sec on the booked date.
I am now however very emotinal and scared about the rest of this pregnancy. I have about 7 weeks left and am in so much pain - I suffer from SPD and incredible back ache (cant even make myself some toast and tea without being in agony) everything hurts, standing, sitting and even sleeping...
I spoke to my MW today and asked her opinion on bringing my C-sec date forward and she says that it is up to the consultant and would book an appointment for me with him to have a chat to see what he says, but she does not think they will do it. I have had some problems already and have already had steroids - do you think it is wrong to want to ask them to bring the C-sec date up by 2 weeks and deliver baby at 38 weeks...
Am I just being to irrational and emotional about the whole thing or is it a respectable request (considering I have already had steroids)?
Please help I am so imotional and stressed about it all and no one to talk to....

Hi Mistiek

I was at 38 weeks due to health reasons. There was a thread on here a while ago that offered lots of advice and what to say to the consultant. Things such as write down what you want to say before you go in, as you may not be able to say what you really want when you get there. Will try and find it for you x

I meant to add he was 9lb 10.5oz at 38 weeks!

Here is the thread \link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1365&threadid=263124#5264224}

\link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1365&threadid=263124#5264224}

Thanks ThisTime I will have a look at the thread...

I just hope my consultant will understand and not make me feel guilty for wanting this. They all do seem to have a nack for making you feel guilty if you don't do things their way..

They have already tried that with me for wanting an elective C-sec!

38 weeks is pretty standard in US I think. That's when mine was booked.

ThisTime I have had a look at the thread you sent through and all I can do now is hope for a sympathetic consultant. I know that I can have the C-sec but as they were quite rude to me (locum consultant) about wanting a C-sec she booked it bang on 40 weeks, being the 29 March.

That was fine at the time but now I just dont think I will be able to cope till then. DS1 is on hols with my mom in South Africa at the moment for another 3 weeks which is great... but when he gets back I dont even know if I will be able to walk - nevermind look after him.

It does sound though that here in the UK they will only do it at 39 weeks... one week will better than nothing but I would prefer 2. Somtimes I wish I had the money as I could have flown back to SA with my mom now and had baby there privatly at 38 weeks... I just cant bare the pain anymore!

"They were quite rude to me about wanting a c-section" This makes me so . It's your body and your birth, why should they be rude when you are just stating your choice about how you give birth? It's not even as if you are asking for one because you quite fancy the idea, you have serious health reasons for requesting one.

I notice this consultant was a woman - I've had a lot less sympathy from women consultants about my c-sections, especially those who haven't had children of their own. My male consultant this time said with a smile "Of course you'll be wanting a c-section" and my male GP, when I told him I wanted one, said "I don't blame you". Maybe men can relate more to the fear of having your genitals pulled apart .

Rant over. The NICE guidelines recommend that c-sections aren't done before 39 weeks, but that's only a recommendation and you have good reasons for wanting one earlier. I would have thought any reasonable consultant would agree to bring your date forward.