Hospital won’t do csection before 39 weeks

[Eagtess3]

Hey everyone currently 30 weeks pregnant . I have had an emergency C-section a few years ago due to daughters heart rate completely dropping.

inhave asked to have my elective C-section earlier than 39 weeks due to the increased chances of going into labour the further I get along. I’m terrified of going into labour and the outcome being as traumatic. I also suffer with osteoarthritis so I am already struggling with pain and can only take paracetamol.

I don’t know what else to do as the consultant seems reluctant in even listening to my concerns

My hospital also had a policy of 39 weeks and stuck to it despite all my consultant-led care having agreed that I needed to deliver at 38 weeks. There are good reasons why so I do understand why they do it. However, I did find that last week of pregnancy quite fraught as I'd been told I'd need to call an ambulance straight away at the first sign of labour as there was no way my baby could be birthed safely vaginally.

There are protocols that an elective c-section shouldn’t take place earlier than 39 weeks unless there are defined medical reasons. If you have no medical factors, your consultant has no leeway here. That’s why there’s no discussion of it.

However, if you go into labour early, you’ll have a c-section done straight away. So no need to worry unless you are in early labour. Obviously make sure your bag is packed, childcare organised and you have your maternity department’s phone number.

Sorry you’re in such pain, which won’t help your anxiety. You are getting good treatment and will be well cared for when you do go in.

I went into labour twice when due a c section and had very chilled C sections twice.

If you go into labour before 39 weeks they will likely section you anyway if that is the plan as in you're booked for a section the thing is they have reasons for not putting your section before 39 weeks and it's due to the increased risks for baby .

You may find if you do go into labour you might be better off labouring and having a normal delivery. A baby heart dropping in one delivery doesn't mean it will happen again or increase the likelihood of it happening in a subsequent pregnancy.

Sorry vbac not normal.delivery, I meant as in vaginal birth. Try and let go of your anxiety, thus pregnancy and birth however it happens is separate to your previous one

Who said you can only paracetamol? Are you allergic to some meds? I was prescribed other painkillers in pregnancy.

A good friend of mine went into labour before her scheduled c-section date and the second she arrived they asked if she wanted to continue naturally or go for the section. She chose the section and they got to it straight away (after prep etc!). Don’t worry about going into labour, unless it was abnormally fast and the baby shot out like a rocket (!!!) you would absolutely get your c-section if you arrived and said that’s what you wanted.

Thankyou everyone for your replies that puts me more at ease

@CrookCrane I’ve been on codeine and paracetamol however am stopping codeine now as it has effects on the baby such as drowsiness and dependency . Gp will still prescribe it and so will consultant however they always tell me the risk and that it should be used as an absolute last resort