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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

C section at 39 weeks

20 replies

Beck1991 · 09/08/2022 08:01

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 !

OP posts:

Houseofbloodymen · 09/08/2022 08:02

My most positive birth was my section. In fact it was my only baby out of 3 that came out crying. X one was born blue as swallowed meconium and the other had his cord wrapped.. I'm having another section for this one too x

Loulou1712 · 09/08/2022 08:23

C sections don't squeeze the fluid off babies lungs in the same way as vaginal births which is why they say they sometimes need more breathing support ....however at 39 weeks they're very unlikely to need NICU.
Does your trust offer a gentle csection? Have a Google and ask the question, this can bridge the gap as baby does get more of the squeezing to clear their lungs x

Original poster

Beck1991 · 09/08/2022 08:27

Thanks both for your messages. It’s so helpful just to hear other peoples experiences and advice x

OP posts:

ColinRobinsonsfamiliar · 09/08/2022 08:33

I’ve had 2.
Really positive experiences.
Mine we’re still 36 weeks, and 37 weeks thpugh because of preeclampsia.
Both were 5lb baby’s. I was home in less than 24 hours with my baby after section number 2.

Calm, radio on on the corner and the staff seemed as excited as we were!
Skin to skin almost straight away. Lovely lovely experience altogether.
39 weeks, you will be absolutely fine.

Original poster

Beck1991 · 09/08/2022 08:38

@ColinRobinsonsfamiliar that’s really useful as I’m now 37 plus 3 and keep having tightening on and off and generally uncomfortable thinking it could start anytime now. But my consultant talks about how risky it is before 39 weeks which has worried me if I go into labour naturally before then. So it’s lovely to hear positive stories !!!

OP posts:

MsFrog · 09/08/2022 08:47

I've had two, both incredibly positive. Both babies absolutely fine afterwards, had immediate skin to skin and breastfeeding within like 20 mins! Recovery was fine too, very sore the first few days but as long as you're careful, I've found I felt back to normal after a couple of weeks, definitely by 6 weeks.

Good luck 🙂

boymama82 · 09/08/2022 08:48

I've had 2 sections, the first was a very scary emergency where we thought we might loose him but the second was planned and much better, though my spinal failed part way through and I felt it, they drugged me up quickly so I was on cloud 9 by the time he came out! 🤣

lillyrabbit · 09/08/2022 08:52

I had a section at 39 weeks with my second, was a lovely calm experience! As they don’t go through the birth canal, c section babies often have a bit of mucus to get rid of - my little boy was sick quite a few times in the first few days with lots of green mucus in and seemed a bit snuffly, but it didn’t really bother him and once that was cleared he was fine! Didn’t have any breathing issues.

Hugasauras · 09/08/2022 08:54

I've had two, one at 40 weeks exactly and the other at 39 and both babies absolutely fine. DD1 was quite mucousy but didn't have the same issue with DD2 (and that was EMCS v ELCS).

Bindayagain · 09/08/2022 08:57

Two at 39 weeks, no breathing issues, straight in with me, breastfed (adding that as some people have worries about feeding).
It's natural to worry but I am sure it will all be absolutely fine

bombombo · 09/08/2022 09:02

I had an EMCS at 41 weeks so not the same but DS was perfectly healthy at birth, not congested or anything, no problems establishing breastfeeding. Recovery really wasn't that bad either, I was up walking around and holding baby no problem the same evening.

Good luck with everything

hellosunshineagainx · 09/08/2022 09:07

My boy came out crying-definitely nothing wrong with his lungs!

webuiltthiscityonrockandwheat · 09/08/2022 09:11

My planned c section was an incredible experience. Very healing after my emergency one. DD had no issues with mucus after which DS really suffered with. If I ever had another baby I wouldn't hesitate to have another section

Chdjdn · 09/08/2022 09:15

They told me that because c sections don’t squeeze the fluid off a baby’s lungs in the same way that when they’re first born it’s not unusual for them to need an extra rub or a tiny bit of help in the room but it was more of a don’t worry if that happens type comment and my baby boy was fine. I’ve had two c sections and my planned one was such a postive experience. Baby was placed on my chest very quickly after

bathorshower · 09/08/2022 09:15

I had a planned section at 39+1, and DD was fine, no breathing issues. I was actually hospitalised at 37 weeks because labour would have been really dangerous for DD, and my consultant explained that the delay in delivering her was to minimise breathing issues.

MsFrog · 09/08/2022 10:22

Forgot to say, mine were at 38 and 39 weeks respectively, and both were the picture of health 😊

Original poster

Beck1991 · 09/08/2022 10:51

Wow thanks everyone. So glad I posted. I’m feeling so much more positive after your responses. I think sometimes doctors and consultants have to give you all the facts and sometimes it just freaks me out a bit so it’s nice to hear some first hand experiences. I have 10 days to go so starting to feel excited now. Thank you e everyone ❤️

OP posts:

Hiddenvoice · 09/08/2022 23:26

I had my dd 16 weeks ago via c section. The whole experience always very positive and calming. I was incredibly nervous but there was no need, everyone was so supportive.
DD was healthy and we got home the next day.

Eek3under3 · 09/08/2022 23:31

I’ve had 3 sections. 1 emcs and 2 elcs. 1st elective at 36+6. One twin needed 2 days in nicu to clear fluid off his lungs (because it doesn’t clear in the same way as a vaginal birth). 5 days in hosp in total. 2nd elective last week at 38+1, we were home the following evening. Both were beautiful, calm experiences.

Good luck!

Goodnewsday · 10/08/2022 00:06

I had a c-section last year, I had prepared myself that he might be so ‘shocked’ he wouldn’t cry at first and I’d warned my husband of this so he wouldn’t make a huge deal in case they maybe had to give a bit of oxygen etc as I’ve had friends who have needed to have that during a c-section and baby ended up completely fine. In our case luckily he cried the second they cut into my womb I think 😂 could hear him before we saw him! I cried instantly and didn’t think I would but I had built everything up to prepare myself and not get my hopes up too much that I think it was just a huge relief. He made some funny little noises the first week or so and they said it was most likely because he still had some mucus on his lungs from being a section baby. He was absolutely fine though and had no issues.

it was genuinely the best experience ever and I’d recommend it to anyone 🥰

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