Elective c-section

[Frogqueen13]

How common is it to go into labour naturally before your elective section date?

Im being booked in between 39-39+5, my last baby was born at 40+2 but this one is head Down fully engaged at 35 weeks ( with an estimated weight of 7lb 2 currently ) I just don't think it's going to wait until 39+5?

So I wondered how many people go into labour naturally before there date?

I did, but I didn’t dilate at all. I had my cesarean at 36 and something.

One emergency and two planned. One at 38+6 and one at 39+1 and didn’t go in to labour with either of them. My heaviest was just a hair off 9lbs!

Should add it was discussed with my consultant what I wanted to happen if I went in to labour. They put in big letters on my notes DOES NOT WISH TO LABOUR 😂

I've been told it's rare but I went into labour with my first at 38+4 (which apparently is also fairly rare) so I'm desperately hoping this one stays put until the section date.

Was there a specific reason you were all allowed c-sections? Or are the hospitals just allowing anyone them now? I remember having my first little girl they made people do labour rather than a section. And now I hear them giving them to pretty much anyone that wants one. Not that sure which I'd prefer.

I had my first baby at 40+10 and a section with my second at 39+0. I didn't go into labour naturally beforehand.

I did discuss the possibility of this with my doctor and I had 'does not wish to labour' in big letters on my notes. If I had gone into labour before the section date, I was advised to go straight to hospital and a section would take place as soon as possible depending on staff etc

@tlnejnyr

NICE guidelines state that you are allowed to choose the birth you want.

Mine was for mental health reasons related to the birth of my first child.

@tlnejntr My first was an emergency section.

My first 2 sections were emergency, this is planned. I just wondered how it would go if I turned up in labour(and I was progressing well) would they do an emergency section straight away, or would they see how it goes. I'm pretty easy going tbh I just don't know what to expect

I am booked a c section at 39+0 and I also fear I will go into spontaneous labour. My first ds was born at 39 weeks. The consultant has assured me that there will be no attempt at labour unless I present at the hospital above 7cm. First little twinge and I will be right in there.

My waters went while I was gowned up waiting for my theatre slot
My c-section was due to breech position. My second birth was a Vbac and he turned up much earlier!

Op discuss it with your consultant. Having had two sections already I doubt they would want you to labour. It also depends on your reasons for your previous sections. For instance my cousin had her first as her baby was breach, she wanted a section second time around and was all fine but she went into labour and by the time she got to the hospital and a theatre and team became available she was already so far on they asked her if she wanted to continue with labour and she said yes.

tlnejntr are you serious? You don’t realise how ridiculous you sound?

I went in a week early as my waters broke, they kept an eye on me but it was never even considered that I would give birth vaginally. They would do an emergency if it was happening quickly or move forward the planned one to the next morning if nothing else progressed with me.

Tlnejntr you are misinformed or inferring incorrectly.

I got to two days before my (medical reasons) elcs and felt a bit heavy and twingy but luckily held on until the planned date. all went fine- hope yours does too op.

Btw my first labour (natural) was v fast so I assumed if I did into labour it would've been too late for the elcs. It would be a call to make at the time but you should discuss your preferences.

I've only had one so far but my consultant told me that the choice would be mine assuming we were both coping okay. She did add however that if I was beyond 7-8 cms, it might be out of my hands but in most cases unless I dilated really fast, I should get there in enough time to have options.

Frog you would likely be given the choice if you went in in labour, unless you have any other significant obstetric or medical issues obviously. Did they give you the option for a VBA2C?

I did!

DD was a footling breech and I had c-section planned for 38+3. My waters broke st 38 weeks. We had to dash in for an emergency c section as DS1 and 2 were fast births, DS2 less than an hour so they had to get her out quickly!

This happened to me. I was booked in for 39+2, but my waters broke at exactly 39 weeks. I phoned hospital and they told me to come in, it was a 45 minute drive and by the time we got there labour was well underway. I called my mum on the way to let her know.

When I got there they examined me, established that I was in labour and asked me when I had last eaten. I had only eaten about an hour prior as my waters broke while at a birthday party. There was some discussion around waiting a number of hours for my stomach to empty, it was then decided that the risk of my having just eaten was not as great as the risk of allowing me to labour, so I was rushed into theatre.

An hour later I was up in recovery phoning my Mum to say my baby was here. It was a shock. Wasn't expecting it at all, didn't even have my bag packed. 😂

It was my third section, all my babies were born by section.

@tlnejntr I requested sections due to fear of birth and got them. There is more choice these days, as it should be.

I was scheduled for a Monday but went into labour on the Saturday. They left me for a number of hours as I'd eaten and they were quite busy, but did do it (after repeatedly offering the chance to try full labour and have emergency section instead if the expected complication arose, on the off chance it didn't!) I politely insisted on the planned section though.

@Rockandrollwithit oh I didn't realise you could choose. I'll have a look into the options.

You have all made me feel much better. A part of me fancies the vba2c but I failed to progress with either and only got to 6 cms however neither were in good positions with my first back to back and with a forehead presentation (also 9lb 9) and my second back to back but never engaged. (9lb 5)
I asked for the section and they didn't try and convince me otherwise

I never thought about the eating thing though I will ensure if there is a hint of a contraction I will fast

@Heismyopendoor how do I sound ridiculous for asking simple questions? I was asking if there were medical reasons for the c sections or if they just asked for one and got one through fear etc! Like I said I've heard of a lot of people getting them now through just asking for one. Doesn't make me sound ridiculous at all! Your being out of order with no reason for doing so.

tlnejntr they don't just 'give them to anyone' but women are able to request the birth they want rather than just be forced/told what to do. If you think that's a better way of doing things then that's up to you, just glad you're not in the profession.