C -section

[Cfcmum1888]

Hi can anyone tell me the earliest I can book my C-section for? The hospital offered me the 3rd of May as that's bang on 39 weeks but I was hoping to ask at my next appointment for a few days earlier as the 3rd of May is my oldest sons birthday and I don't want to miss it 🙈 will they do it before 39 weeks? It will only be 3days off.

Very unlikely. They'll push it back if you ask, but not earlier. Nice guidelines (and all others) state 39+ as optimal and without any other reason, they won't bring it forward.

Mine is booked for 39+2 and they said they wouldn't book why earlier than 39 weeks if not absolutely medically necessary due to possibly complications with baby's lungs. Xx

I had mine bang on 39 weeks. My hospital would not consider doing any earlier without a v good reason, not that I wanted it earlier. Prior to 39 weeks they give steroids to help baby's lungs as a precaution. They would rather go a few days later than earlier than 39 wks.

Unlikely, I've had 2 and when I asked about a 3rd, I was told that despite the fact that I consistently go into labour on or before 39 weeks, I'd still have to wait until at least 39+1 possibly later depending on the day of the week.

Mine is booked for 38+6 - primarily because 39 is a Friday (and no one wants to have surgery on a Friday with a weekend cover on a postnatal ward!). I suspect she didn’t suggest any later because I had a traumatic EMCS with my first so don’t want to risk going earlier than my date. As per PPs. Nearly all are booked 39+ as standard unless there’s a medical need.

I’ve been booked earlier because of my medical history but it’s unusual for it to be before 39 weeks unless there is a good reason. Could you ask for 7 May instead as that is after the bank holiday weekend and means there is still a bit of a gap between potential birthdays. If you go into labour beforehand, just call the hospital and they can arrange for you to have an EMCS.

As everyone else has said I’ve been told it will be from 39weeks. I was told the research shows, if i remember correctly, 10% of babies born at 37weeks require some respiratory support at birth, 5% at 38 weeks and only 1% at 39 hence it being safer for baby in the 39th week.

Wouldn't it be better to book it for after his birthday anyway in case you don't get to come home straight away?

My due date was 12 November 2018. The earliest they could do it was 5th November. I did ask for the 2nd November as i could have shared the same birthday as my DD but was told planned c section can be at the earliest a week before the original due date. I was given a choice from 5th November to the 10th.