Waters breaking before planned section?

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Just wondering if this happens what the usual protocol is? Do they go ahead with the section as planned, or do you / are you persuaded to try a vagina birth?

This happened to me 10 years ago with my first (planned section for breech) and they told me to make my way straight to the hospital for the section, which was then classified as an "emergency" (albeit only technically). It was actually handled in a very calm and unhurried way. But then there was no question of delivering vaginally as my local NHS trust made it quite clear they didn't have the expertise to support natural breech deliveries.

My waters broke prior to a planned section. It was during the night so I did have a unplanned trial of labour as they wouldn't do the section until the morning shift was on. They did ask if I still wanted the section. I said I did and that was that. If things had deteriorated they would have performed the section straight away.
Disclaimer: this was with my daughter who's now 18. Things may have moved on.

I had a planned section, went into Labour early. Basically I was told when on the way that they’d check me when I got there and start prepping for my section once that had been done. I was examined and was at something like 7cms and baby was not in distress so I delivered him vaginally no pain relief 😅 thing is I was down for a C-section more because of a previous birth rather than an issue with that pregnancy, so it may be a different procedure if it’s booked in for the health of you or the baby.

I started labour (contractions) the day before my elective c-section. Waters didn't break but they never did naturally with my previous vaginal birth either. I went into hospital at 4pm and the c-section was carried out in the evening, it was called an emergency c-section but it was very calm and planned etc. My c-section was medically necessary due to gynae history so a vaginal birth was never suggested. This was in 2018 so not too long ago.

You'd go into triage to be assessed and either have a cat 2 or 3 section. Or if you change your mind and it's safe to do so, have a normal delivery.

Depending on the reason for your section you won't be prioritised over other emergencies happening on the unit and may have a bit of a wait.

I guess it depends on why you are having a section, DS2, nearly 17 months now, was breech. My waters broke at home in the middle of the night, I went in maybe 45 minutes later, they did scan to check baby was still breech, I assumed to give a go at a vaginal birth if he'd turned. He hadn't so I had an emergency section, but it was really relaxed and chilled. I even drove myself in to the hospital while DH waited on our childcare arriving!

I had this happen last week! I called up the hospital and they said to come in and they'd examine me, and then have the section if I was in labour (as for me labour started, rather than my waters going). As it turned out, my labour progressed incredibly quickly and I ended up having an unplanned VBAC - but like some others, there was no particular medical need for me to have a section, they'd have rushed me into theatre if there had been.

I went in to labour a few days before planned c section (waters didn’t break). Went to labour ward when it was clear I was in labour, they examined me, gave me the option of continuing if I wanted to or having a section. I said section, it took place an hour or two later.

Same here, 7.5 years ago. Breech, planned c section, he started coming early overnight. They put me in a bright room, I believe to try and slow the labour down, while we waited for the “A” team to come on shift at 7am to deliver him! So it was classed an emergency but actually just a reschedule really.

Happened to me in 2020. Waters broke 3 days before planned c section. Went in , examined and confirmed labour was imminent (started contractions about an hour later) just had me wait for the theatre to become available as it was a Sunday. Got me in and had my c-section about 5 hours after waters broke.

I had a lovely experience , on paper it was emergency but didn't feel like that at all.

I was booked in for planned cesarean and they said if my waters went then I would be an emergency.

My friend was having a planned section and ended up delivering vaginally.

Thanks very much, everyone! I am having a section due to a previous EMCS. I really am a bit worried about a vaginal birth so just want to know where I stand so to speak.

This happened to me, ended up emergency cs in the middle of the night. Everything was fine.