Elective C-Section - when to book?

[Layla2019]

Hi! I’m 37 + 3 weeks pregnant and just had a last minute change of heart and thinking about having an elective C-section (due to anxiety mainly). I’ve got a meeting booked with our consultant early next week (will be 38+2 at the time). I wondered if anyone was able to book an elective C-section that late in their pregnancy. Ideally would want to give birth by my due date which is 12 November. We don’t have any medical grounds for it and I’m worried I may have left it too late. Would love to hear any other experiences 🙂

It's unlikely you'll get choice in the date booked. They'll have an ideal date for booking you in and then find a space closest to that. Even if you're booked in on a certain day that might get postponed if emergency c sections come in.

I would go and speak to them but don't get too attached to a certain date.

Agree with Nerr. You are likely to get your CS but don't pin your hopes on a particular date. Lots of MNers are asked to go in on a certain date and are then sent home either due to staff shortages or the amount of emergency CS that day.

Thank you both for your responses! I’m not too fussy about the date, just feel mentally and physically exhausted and don’t want to go too overdue. Will speak with the consultant next week and take it from there then. But this has given me hope that they can’t give me a flat no 😅

I did this. Terrified of the idea of vaginal delivery and ds was big. I was given a date, they'll book you in straight away because of how close it is. They will aim for 39+ weeks because lung function is better from 39 weeks and breathing difficulties are more common in section babies because they don't get a good squeeze on the way out.

@Lavender14 thank you that’s very reassuring to know. I have the opposite problem where I’ve been told that baby is on the small side and the consultants scared me off saying ‘small babies don’t have big reserves’. But yet they didn’t think a c-section was essential… so just panicked in my mind and decided on a section. Fingers crossed they’ll be able to get a date sorted quickly for us 🙂

When I had an elective section they were happy to book any time after 39 weeks.