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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Csection at 38 weeks

22 replies

eggychicken · 07/12/2021 12:53

Looking for others experiences - due to medical reasons on my part I am having a planned section at 38 weeks, I have been warned there is a risk that the baby may need extra help breathing due to being early - anyone had a baby two weeks early by section and what kind of help did your baby need ?

Baby is absolutely fine and as should be tracking percentile as should be - the section is purely because of me

OP posts:

pixienewbie · 07/12/2021 13:42

My little girl came via emergency c-section at 38 weeks in October and had no issues at all.

Original poster

eggychicken · 07/12/2021 15:39

@pixienewbie ahhh that's good to read ! Were you kept in for long after ?

OP posts:

Xiomara22 · 07/12/2021 15:47

Had my baby last year 37+5 planned c section. I went and bought tiny baby clothes and he was 7lbs4 ! We were all so shocked! I had two of the steroid injections beforehand to help his lungs. He did stop breathing whilst I was being sewn up but only very briefly and they quickly sorted him with some suction (apparently very common) and he’s nearly 1 now. C section was at 10am and we were home by 3pm the next day.

Phillipa12 · 07/12/2021 15:52

Had 2 dc at 38 weeks via elcs. Had steroid injections for both and both were absolutely fine, no help required and we were home with in 48hrs.

Onehotmess · 07/12/2021 15:54

I was born at 38 weeks and I’m 40 years old now with no issues! 38 weeks is basically full term. Try not to worry xx

Just10moreminutesplease · 07/12/2021 15:56

I had a planned section at 38 weeks. They gave me steroid jabs as a precaution and everything was fine .

I was home with my baby less than 24 hours later (though this was in lockdown when they were keen to get people in and out).

Take really comfy clothes and ask someone to put your bags on a chair (it’s easier than bending down!).

Good luck and congratulations .

stackhead · 07/12/2021 15:58

DD was born at 36 weeks via section and was absolutely fine, no assistance needed to breathe.

MuchTooTired · 07/12/2021 15:59

I had a surprise elcs at 36+5 due to severe pe with my DTs. DD had a little trouble breathing to start with but joined us in recovery afterwards, both normal newborn weights and we left hospital on 2 days later.

Good luck!

TeamSpike · 07/12/2021 16:01

I had an emergency section at 38 weeks. I had HELLP syndrome so was kept in for 5 days. But Dd was absolutely fine. A tiny 4lb 11oz but had no problems at all.

Tubbyinthehottub · 07/12/2021 16:02

38 weeks is not really early. I had mine just before 38 weeks and everything was fine, we went home the same day (not a section though).

sunflowerroses · 07/12/2021 16:10

Mine was born spontaneously at 38w and we were home the same day, she was totally fine.

Original poster

eggychicken · 07/12/2021 16:36

Thank you for all the replies, the consultants have said that the risks are higher before 39 weeks so just getting some ideas - lovely to read that all babies have been okay though !

I have previously had 3 labours over 40 weeks and natural so this will be my first early baby and first csection so lots of unknown !

OP posts:

santabetterwashhishands · 07/12/2021 16:43

Had a baby born by csection at 37 weeks and she was absolutely fine just a little sleepy.
She was 9.15 so definitely fully cooked 🤣

WhenSepEnds · 07/12/2021 16:45

@eggychicken

Baby is absolutely fine and as should be tracking percentile as should be - the section is purely because of me

My baby came 6 weeks early be emergency c section due to pre eclampsia. He had to have 2 weeks in neo natal. Honestly the staff could not have been any better, from the staff doing the c section to those in neo natal. They were absolutely fantastic. Baby needed a bit support with breathing but honestly could see him improving every day and it didn't take him long to catch up with his weight etc

shas19 · 07/12/2021 23:09

Dd born at 37+2 by emc weighing 5lb5 and d didn't need any help. No steroid injections either. Born at 11am, home next evening at 6pm

mummatomason · 07/12/2021 23:21

I had a emergency c section at 38 weeks. He did need to go to neonatal for 4 days with oxygen just to help him along and hes been perfectly fine ever since.

Taenia · 08/12/2021 11:15

My baby is currently 12 days old, born by c section at 37 weeks exactly due to issues with me. Was originally supposed to be 38 weeks but my liver was not quite playing ball and baby movements were suddenly absent. Was told about all the risks and they had to ensure there was a NICU bed available before they could go ahead. They weren't able to give me steroids to help Baby but It turned out my little DD was absolutely fine, didn't need any help at all and passed everything with flying colours within her first day of being born.

I only had to stay in 24 hours. As everything was fine with both me and baby pretty quickly after that. :)

SpringheelJack · 08/12/2021 12:03

I have gone into labour ahead of my c-section date both times. Babies born at 36+5 and 37+4 respectively. Absolutely no issues. Both quite little - 5lb 11 and 6lb 8 - but zero complications. No breathing assistance needed, fed like troupers, all good. That's just my experience, but it was all plain sailing!

Elbie79 · 08/12/2021 19:41

Planned CS at 37+5. 5lb6. Had steroid injections prior. Baby developed jaundice in first 24hrs and related blood viscosity issues which necessitated a drip and time under lights. Also an infection. They insisted on formula or baby would have gone to NICU. We were in just under a week. Right as rain from day of release.

It was a complete blur. Take notes of what they tell you so you can remind yourself of the reasons for your decisions.

CS itself very straightforward. Worst pain was getting in and out of bed at home - my advice don't hook up the "next to me" to the bed until you're a bit more comfortable as it makes access far difficult.

Bells3032 · 09/12/2021 09:52

I think the breathing is more cos they don't get the hormone surge that "wakes up" their lungs. Was told by my doctor it happens in about 3% of cases of babies born by Csection at 38 weeks and about 1% at 39 weeks. If any earlier than 38 weeks they recommend steroids (but don't want that for me due to my GD as steroids can make sugars go mental).

she said not to stress and they're used to dealing with it. it may just mean they need a bit of oxygen to start with.

Bunglemom · 10/12/2021 08:41

I have had 2 C Sections both with impatient girls who decided to come at 37+5 and 37+2 and both came out screaming so i honestly wouldnt worry too much, the team in theatre are fantastic too and will tell you whats going on.

Good luck and remember big massive pants to go over your scar and stretchy leggings as to not irritate your wound 😀

Crumilicious · 26/03/2022 09:37

Has any parent had planned csec for 37 weeks and decided againt taking the steroid injections for babys lungs prior to csec. Im wondering if you did how were your babies once born. Were there any complications from not doing so or did your baby beed any additional breating support once born or were they fine? Im so worried about the new research about behavioural and learning delay issues now highlighted in literature about these drugs

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