38 weeks elective csection - how was your baby?

[Nearlyamumoftwo]

for various reasons hospital have suggested elective csection at 38+1. I know it’s classed as full term and they wouldn’t have any concerns about long term risks but instinctively I want the baby in as long as possible (and for elective I know this is normally only a week later between 39-40).

one short term risk of being born 38-39 is a trip to SCBU as their lungs might have trouble adjusting. Any stories worth sharing about elective csection at 38 weeks? (At least with emergency their lungs are ready as labour has normally started so hoping to hear about elective).

I was originally due to have an elective at 38 weeks but this was adjusted to 37 weeks due to dips in my blood sugar. Had a perfectly healthy baby girl with no issues and no need for SCBU. Was home after 3 nights .

I had an elective c section at 38 weeks and DD was perfectly well. Lungs fine and an excellent size. They are fully developed at that stage and my obstetrician said not to worry at all.

My now 13 month old was born last year at 37+1 via elective. She was booked in at 38+5 but they suspected I had an amniotic fluid leak. She was born at a great weight (over 7lbs) and all was perfect, lungs included. She did develop jaundice and had to go in under the light therapy for 48 hours at 5 days old, it worked very quickly and she was well very soon after.

38 weeks elective here and they have me the shot for his lungs. He was perfect and all very smooth.

I had an elective at 37+1 as couldn’t cope with the pain and discomfort any longer. I’m 5ft, suffer from lympho-lipoedema and was the size of a house with elephant cankles. Had steroid injections for baby’s lungs as part of the consultant’s conditions for reluctantly agreeing to it. Weirdly, my lumbar pain improved considerably afterwards.
I was so scarred (cs#3) that I was on the operating table for 2 hours being slowly unpicked and lost 2 litres of blood.
Baby came out at 10lbs with an APGAR of 10.

DD was born by elective at 38 weeks, totally fine. Currently pregnant and looks like plan will be the same for this baby

I had an emergency c-section at 37 weeks due to my baby had stopped growing. He came out healthy and no lung concerns

I had an elective at 38 weeks.
He was all good, no issues and was home the next day 😊

I had an elective at 38+2 for GD but as it was during the height of COVID they didn't do the steroid injection. She did have lung troubles but was only in NiCU for 3 days and has been fine ever since. I think with steroids she would have been fine, she was 7lb 11oz.
I did have in 2018 for my 39 week ELCS & he was fine even though he was much smaller (6lb 5oz)

I had to have C section with my youngest son. I was 37 +1 day and my blood pressure went through the roof and they said he would be a large baby. He was absolutely fine. No problems with lungs. 1 night in Scbu for observation then back to me. He always breast fed really well. He was almost 9 lb born and midwife told me he'd be over 10 1/2 lbs if full term.

It was a long time ago but my DH was an elective at that, he was breech and they we trying to time the section around Christmas so it was earlier than usual.

He needed oxygen and an incubator for a few weeks (so he wasn’t home for Christmas after all) because there was fluid left in his lungs. It can be a rare risk associated with c-section as the fluid doesn’t get squeezed out in the same way as vaginal births.

Can confirm that he is fine now and has always been very sporty, competing at a high level so no damage done but it was very upsetting for his mum at the time as he had to be sent to a different hospital to her (they probably wouldn’t do that today).

Have you been given the option of steroids and would that make you feel better?

8 month DS was delivered at 38 +6 and was fine but I know the risks are increased

I had GD and needed a section. They suggested 38+0. I knew I would only be 37+2 and didn't have a good feeling about it. At my request, a paediatrician came to speak to me and I was categorically assured there was no benefit in staying pregnant longer. I had the steroids and the section by all accounts was a success. However, DS still had to go to SCBU because his lungs weren't fully matured. He was fine after about 48 hours and has suffered no lasting effects. I'd say trust your instincts (I am not at all woo but I fervently believe in maternal instinct).

I had ELCS at 38 weeks due to placenta previa. Baby perfectly fine, we were home the next day.
Second baby was also ELCS at 38 weeks, this time due to stopped growth, also perfectly fine and we were home within 16 hours that time.

I had an emergency c at 38 and baby had no issues - straight into my arms and home in 24 hours

I had a c section at 36 weeks and 4 days due to waters breaking. Baby was healthy, no extra help and was home the day after.

DD was 38+6, I didn’t even realise that counted at early, 39+0 just fell on the Saturday so they offered 38+6 or 39+2 and I chose the earlier option because who wants to be pregnant for 2 more days! Slight bit of jaundice but otherwise healthy.