No c sections available

[RunningAlong]

My partner is 35 weeks pregnant and due to gestational diabetes has been told that the baby has to come out by 37 weeks. The baby is breach and we requested a c section right at the start however none was booked. When we saw a consultant yesterday we were told there are no dates available until February which would put my partner at 43 weeks. What happens now? We are getting no answers from anyone.

I had an emergency non-emergency c-section. As in it wasn't life or death emergency, but I went into labour with a breech baby and had to have a c-section, it happened 2 hours after getting to the hospital. I hope you can have similar? Sorry this is happening to you.

Sorry - just saw update. Congratulations

That is a lovely update @RunningAlong, congratulations to you all and I hope your partner and baby are recovering well- fingers crossed he will be ready to come home soon! Great to hear they were well looked after as well.

Congratulations

Congratulations!

Oh what a nice update. Congratulations 🥳. I knew it would all be ok in the end but the worry must have been terrible.
Enjoy your Christmas baby!

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

So glad things have worked out okay. However i think it is appalling that you were left with the thought that potentially you would have no option but to wait for an emergency c section or go to 43 weeks for a planned one. I would write to PALS and also Royal College of Midwives . The service appears to be in crisis , more so than a lot of other NHS provision and as usual it negatively affects women more than men.

There are 4 category of c-sections:
1 - emergency immediate risk to life
2 - emergency - there are problems putting mum and baby at risk but not in immediate danger
3 - baby needs to come out earlier by c-section but no risk to mother and baby
4 - c-section can be performed when it suits mother and doctor (elective)

Having laboured beforehand has no bearing on if it is an emergency - I had a cat 1 emergency c-section with no labour with my second due to severe pre-eclampsia that was missed a few times. I think the main difference between an emergency and an elective c-section are that it's a far calmer, relaxed experience with better outcomes for healing and PND when it's pre-planned, and also that obviously when it's an emergency there are generally other things going on that affect the health of mother and baby. The hospital will be aware of the previous histories though and they won't allow this woman to go to 43 weeks as others have said, they just won't be able to book the c-section in.

Flapjack I'd totally disagree there are obvious issues and in this case one poor doctor but our experience in the end has been amazing and the staff have not only been professional, hardworking, efficient and quite clearly knew their jobs inside out but they also took the time to be caring and friendly.