C-Section before 39 weeks.

[Olivia199]

Hello!

So, some of you lovely ladies may have seen my post about my little tinker and her lack of perceived movements.
It's my first pregnancy following a frozen embryo transfer and she has been causing some havoc. She is breech and tucked up behind my placenta and I've not felt her move for over 2 weeks. I've been in for daily/every other day monitoring and thankfully all looks perfect.
At my last review my consultant said that we may well expedite delivery and being that she is breech and I'm having a C-Section I'd need steroid cover for this for her little lungs.
So, I'm 37 weeks on Wednesday and that is when I have my next scan and review to make the plan! I can only guess that they're considering a section sometime before 39 weeks as if it was 39 I wouldn't be needing the steroids?
So, has anyone had a section around 38 weeks with steroid cover and if so was littlen all okay? Was there anything to be aware of because it's a bit on the earlier side?

Thank you!

Hi OP, DC2 was born a bit earlier at 36+6 by ELCS due to IUGR, lack of movement and low amniotic fluid levels. I needed steroids beforehand and when she was born she required 10 minutes of oxygen (though I was only told this later on) but this was after a cuddle with her so didn't feel like a scary emergency at the time. She was 5lb 10oz and so small but soon grew into a little chunk and is now a three year old whirlwind doing very well indeed.

Good luck with everything!

@CanofCant

Hi OP, DC2 was born a bit earlier at 36+6 by ELCS due to IUGR, lack of movement and low amniotic fluid levels. I needed steroids beforehand and when she was born she required 10 minutes of oxygen (though I was only told this later on) but this was after a cuddle with her so didn't feel like a scary emergency at the time. She was 5lb 10oz and so small but soon grew into a little chunk and is now a three year old whirlwind doing very well indeed.

Good luck with everything!

Thank you for your reply and so so glad to hear your little one is all good! The consultant had said safest way for me and baby would be to induce with steroids at 38 weeks so I went in today for my final scan to check that she was in fact still breech (yep!) And went to book it. However a reg saw me and has decided to go above the consultant and tell me that I can't have one until 39+3 despite absent movements. So feeling a bit steamrollered and have called to book in with consultant Friday as reg also didn't seem keen on any monitoring for said absent movements.. he also tried to lie to me about how it worked but I work in theatres and do a lot of obstetrics so pulled him up on that pretty fast!! It's all just a lot and I'm a bit exhausted now!

But earlier than you at 31 weeks but to give you some comfort I had the steroids, DT1 was on cpap for acouole of hours, they wanted to ventilate her but she want having any of it. The second needed no help with breathing at all.

38+4 elective section (with my also IVF pregnancy ❤️)
I ended up with some excess fluid so baby was bobbing around in there, transverse/breech all over the place 😊 hospital were worried about cord prolapse if my waters did break.
Wasn't given any steroids or discussed as an issue, baby was fine and 8lb in the end!

Both mine were section at 36 weeks for pre eclampsia and consequent IUGR.

Steroids with my youngest only.
Both teeny tiny 5lb baby’s.

My eldest (36 weeks no steroids) is almost 6 feet tall, healthy as a horse, absolutely no side effects whatsoever.
The only thing with them both is they fed and fed and fed intensely, hourly, day and night for weeks and weeks. Trying to gain that weight I guess.
Both fine, healthy and no noticeable issues whatsoever.
You’ll be absolutely champion!

My Ivf DTs were born at 36+5 due to severe pe. They weighed 6lb 6oz and 7lb 3oz. They were both absolutely fine, no health issues. They’re 3.5 now and you’d never know they’d arrived early.

Good luck!

I had an emergency section at 38 weeks. He did need to be out urgently so wasn't all happy and smiley on arrival but he didn't need steroids. I think from 37 weeks isn't classed as premature anyway. 38 weeks was normal.

I had an ELCS due to placenta previa at 37+4. I had two steroid injections beforehand, but she still needed 48 hrs in SCBU due to her breathing. She was completely fine after that and is now a (very) bouncing two year old.

I had steroids with my two youngest.

Middle was EMCS at 38+3 born 6lbs3oz and no need for oxygen/special care.

Youngest was an ELCS at 37 weeks due to previous uterine rupture - born at 5lbs15oz and again needed no help at all.

Thank you all so so much for your stories. It has made me feel much better! My elective section is booked for Friday where I'll be 38+2!
6 days and counting...

My ELCS was 38+3 and DD had no problems at all! I wasn't given steroids though they did tell me that some babies may have breathing issues so there was a tiny chance she might need to be taken away for a bit. But she came out screaming like a banshee and never stopped so there were no issues there :P.

There were no problems establishing BFing either. We supplemented with formula 24hrs after the birth due to low blood sugar but things went relatively well after that. She was quite small (5.9lbs) but gained weight quite quickly.

Best of luck!! My consultant considered everything after 38w full term and didn't recommend steroids.

Not long to go @Olivia199!
My twins were born at 36+6 and I didn’t have steroids. 5lb 13 and 5lb 14.

I didn’t realise at the time that it’s common for c section babies to need help shifting the fluid (that would be pushed out during birth if born naturally). I freaked when one of mine was taken to nicu for a few days and didn’t realise how normal it was. Just saying just in case you have the same experience. Good luck!

Hi everyone
I just wanted to ask some advice really. I have a planned section booked next week at 39 weeks. I’m quite nervous as I had an injury to my pelvis with my son so I was told I had to have a c section this time and I’m a bit worried about it. Any words of wisdom?
Also my first baby was neonatal for 2 weeks which was really upsetting, I’ve heard some section babies have breathing problem's. What are your experiences of having a section baby ?
thanks everyone !

Hi Beck!

Good luck for your section! Not long until little one is in your arms. I know it's massively nerve wracking and I was so so worried about all the same things. All I can say was that it was a really pleasant experience. It felt totally relaxed and surreal from the moment I walked onto the ward. Section babies can sometimes struggle a bit as you've mentioned and this is especially true before the 39 week mark, however my daughter was born at 38 weeks and was absolutely fine. 39 weeks and beyond, baby should have well developed lungs and be able to manage just fine. Nothing quite puts your mind at rest though, I was terrified!
Wishing you all the luck. It's a whirlwind but it's amazing!