Planned C-Sections going ahead?

[LondonGirl83]

I had my first DD via an emergency csection and as a result the NHS had agreed to a planned csection for my current pregnancy as is fairly standard.

Given many hospitals are cancelling all non-emergency surgeries so they can convert operating theatres into ICU beds and generally free up other resources, I was wondering if planned NHS csections are going ahead? Has anyone had theirs cancelled?

Ta

No. It is not like they can tell you to come back in six months and they’ll do it then. C-sections will go ahead.

Of course they would have to go ahead. When do you think they could be delayed to?

Not delayed, cancelled obviously. A planned c-section is elective not emergency surgery. They could simply insist that everyone goes for the VBAC option unless complications arise during labour.

Things like low placentas etc would obviously go ahead but not for those that simply opted for a c-section because they didn't like the risk profile of VBACs for themselves personally.

I'd like to hear from pregnant women in the same position as me to understand what is actually happening at the moment in hospital...

A lot of planned c sections are for medical reasons rather than choice, eg the baby is breech. Mine was because they didn't think my severely growth restricted baby would survive a natural delivery, despite that being what I wanted. They couldn't be postponed. It's possible that truly elective sections might be pushed towards trying for a vaginal delivery instead to free up theatre and bed space I suppose.

I asked earlier this week and they said there was no change to policy.

It would seem to be crazy to cancel them in situations like yours where there is a higher chance of an attempted vaginal delivery ending in c section - surely better to actually plan for it and fit it around the anaesthetist's other duties than risk you needing an emergency one.

(in case it's unclear - I'm in the same boat in that I have asked for an elective and had it agreed. The person who reassured me was the obstetrician at my 20 week appointment)

Pregnancy care especially c sections and labour aren’t something that can be delayed. All time essential medical care will be provided. Babies have their own timeframe and can’t be delayed due to what’s going on.

Of course they'll still be doing csections!
Think about what you asked OP, they can not close maternity operating theatres to change them into intensive care units, they'll still need them for emergency csections!

I had my vbac appointment a couple of days ago. The midwife I spoke to sounded very confident that I could have a c section booked for 41 weeks if I wanted to.

I see what you are asking OP. There are some absolute contraindications to vaginal births but as you say with elective c sections there is a spectrum of risk, from those that would be definitely advised for a c section and those that would make a decision based on risks and benefits, as in your situation for a VBAC vs ElCS.

However forcing women to attempt VBAC when this could lead to an emergency section at 2am as opposed to a planned section at 9am would not seem sensible planning. I don’t think they will do this so don’t worry!

Midwives and obstetricians will still be working in maternity. Anaesthetists will have elective ops cancelled so that means that they can either be redeployed to ICU, emergency surgery or maternity.

It’s worrying times expecting a baby right now but I have faith that we will be looked after.

AmputatedSoul please read my post clearly. I know emergency c-sections will go forward obviously and have said so repeatedly.
eurochick I'm aware that not all planned c-sections are elective and already caveated that (i.e. low lying placentas etc). That is not what I'm asking about.

I'm talking about elective c-sections vs VBACs. If you don't understand what I mean by that please don't post patronising comments about how birth works and babies not being able to be delayed etc...

The NHS will be trying to reduce all operations it can. The less surgeries they perform the more they can redeploy anaesthetists to operate ventilators in ICU (its part of the emergency cover-19 planning). Hospitals will keep the minimum operating theatres open they need to deal with emergency / non-elective surgery and all other theatres are being converted into additional ICU beds (this is also a fact). Hence my concern about elective c-sections potentially being deprioritised.

UnrulySavlia and MsChatterbox thanks for posting, that's really reassuring. Are you in London? The hospitals here are already overwhelmed even with the contingency efforts being deployed so different parts of the country may adapt different approaches as the situation evolves.

singme x-posted with you but yes, thank you for understanding my post! I hope you are right and the current thinking continues to hold!

I think it would end up causing them more issues as it would lead to more complications and emergencies.

A friend of mine is due inMay and was told this week her planned section will definitely go ahead. She had a dangerous VD for her first

My hospital has said that planned c-sections (and a few other operations) will go ahead as usual.

Hi London! Yeah this has crossed my mind, that they may try to get everyone to go for a vb unless an emergency section is needed. Thinking it over though, surely it wouldn't work? I had a traumatic birth and this time I've elected for section due to fears of another, and for other mental health reasons too. Surely it would do more damage and cause more issues if mums weren't able to have the elective that they need.

@LondonGirl83 I would imagine this will vary from hospital to hospital, so the only way you will know is to ask your midwife - no-one here can tell you! Good luck and I hope it all goes well :)

I signed my elective c section consent form on Tuesday with my consultant. They said all elective sections will be going ahead. She said they may need to change the dates, for example, bring them forward a little bit if possible due to the current situation and staffing etc. She said that it maybe that they call the day before and ask me to come in the next day. My section is booked for 38+1 however due to GD baby is predicted to be 11lb+. I've had steroids etc so they can bring it forward to 37 weeks if need be. She said they won't go before term unless baby/mother are unwell.

Hope this helps

You might find this helpful. www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/coronavirus-covid-19-infection-in-pregnancy-v3-20-03-18.pdf

No suggestion of elective c sections not going ahead. If you show signs of Coronavirus they might consider if the c section could be delayed, and if not they will follow all the precautions for anyone else having a c section with suspected/ confirmed Coronavirus.

I have wondered this myself, currently 32 weeks and having a planned section after a terrible failed induction with my first resulting in a EMCS at 230 in the morning because baby was In distress.
I'm hoping they will just continue as normal.

To be honest, after my two experiences (long natural traumatic birth of several days (needed surgery six months after) then follow up planned section (due both to the trauma of the first birth plus low-lying placenta)...

... I must have used up FAR less resources, staffing and surgery time with a planned section. It was quick, organised and predictable and I needed FAR less post-care. I think for those predicted to have difficult births of any kind, planned sections would be more manageable from a hospital point of view?

I'm on a c-section support group on Facebook and so far everyone with an ELCS booked in has gone ahead...a few people have had the date pushed back but that's fairly typical anyway as emergencies obviously take precedence. Hopefully this continues for you OP. I'd be worried too.

When my midwife called me yesterday I asked this she said c sections are still going ahead .

In my Trust we are continuing to plan for elective sections including on women who are Covid positive. One operating theatre will be dedicated to urgent operations on Covid positive patients. This will include c sections.