At what pregnancy week does an ELCS usually happen?

[sunriseoversea]

I wondered if anyone can tell me when an ELCS usually takes place? 38/39 weeks? Or bob-on due date? Due to circumstances with my first DCs birth, I will have the option of another VB or an ELCS, but baby is due in the Summer Holidays so I'm just trying to work out when a planned C might happen!

Thanks :)

39 weeks but be prepared to be bumped to the following day if they are busy!

Yes, mine was 39 weeks 2 days. Luckily got seen the planned day but did get bumped back til mid afternoon, understandably due to emergencies. Was challenging though barely being able to drink on one of the hottest days of the year.

From 39 weeks unless there is a reason for it to be earlier.

Bear in mind you'll be last on the list and could be sent home until the next day. Didn't happen to me thankfully, but happened to my friend twice 😩

I was booked in for 39 + 2 but went into labour naturally at 38 + 5. Was mildly annoying as I knew I wouldn’t make it to 39 weeks but they wouldn’t schedule me in earlier.

39 weeks exactly is what they usually aim
for, give or take as per scheduling constraints. With DC1 39+0 was a Saturday so I was offered 38+6 or 39+2 and went for the earlier date. With DC2 it was a Tuesday so no such issue.

I live in France and here I'm having one at exactly 38 weeks and that's in 2 weeks!

39 weeks; I was sent home though as they couldn’t fit me in so was a day later

I was booked in for 38+6 because it was August bank holiday weekend. So it was scheduled on the Friday.

What is your reason for ELCS? I ask because I wanted a vbac but was carrying a large baby after MUCH discussion I agree to have C section at 39 weeks but if I went into labour earlier I would go for a VBAC.

Correct me if I’m wrong but I recall from French SIL that due dates are calculated differently in France so 38 weeks pregnant in France is the same as 39 weeks pregnant in the UK/US?

Oh I'm not sure! You're probably spot on - how do I not know this 😵‍💫 I know that full term is classified at 40 weeks... is it 41 in UK? If so then you're right!

Mine was at exactly 40+0 but I suspect that's largely because they didn't really want me to have one. It was my choice due to a previous hideous birth, I think, they thought, that I would go into labour earlier and not have the ELCS.

@iloveburmese3 It’s been a while since I had this conversation with SIL but I think…
The French start counting from your (estimated) date of conception and add 39 weeks, but the British/Americans add 40 weeks from the first day of your last period.

Thanks so much everyone, I hadn't actually considered the possibility of being bumped!

Can anyone share how long they were in hospital for after the op?

Thanks again!

39 weeks onwards.
I’ve only ever been in hospital 1 night after all of mine.

2 nights after my emergency section and 1 night after each elective section.

They're keen to get you up and about. It feels strange to start with and you need to take it very easy but you should be able to get moving carefully.

Good luck! It wasn't exactly an enjoyable experience but at the same time they were still the best days of my life, getting to meet the babies.