What date was your elective c section?

[snowitall]

Due august, so obviously very very early days but we have been trying for a while and I am very excited and already planning like a lunatic! If this pregnancy sticks, I will book an elective c-section. I have read enough mumsnet threads on this topic to feel strongly about this now.

I have read that c-sections will be scheduled “week 39” but wondering what that means in practice. So, I wondered if you could share what your due date was and what was your elective c-section date? And did you get a choice of dates or just given the date? If you went private did you get more choice about dates?

I know it sounds silly but one of the dates near my due date is my grandmas birthday and I would love to have same birthday for DC but sure how realistic that is!

mine was exactly on 39 weeks. But because I was due in September, the busiest month, it was scheduled at my 20 week apt

It was scheduled at 39 and 1 as hospital doesn't do electives on the day that would have been 39 amd 0. I ended up having it on 39 and 2 as they were too busy on my scheduled day so I had to come back

We didn’t get a choice , I had mine at 38 weeks but that was the norm back in the day . I would imagine going private would give you more choice it usually does .

The earlier you tell them it's what you want the quicker they can book you in- my friend decided at 37 weeks she wanted one but there were no slots (she had an emergency in the end anyway£

I had mine at 39 and 2.

Mine was supposed to be 39 weeks exactly but ended up having to cancel it due to some emergency sections needing the theatre. It was rescheduled for 39+5. I was told if I went into labour before that then I could have it then, but it didn't come to that.

37 + 6
38 + 1

DS: Due June 11th, ELCS on June 7th
DD: Due April 28th, ELCS on April 24th

I got my date for DS very late and my date for DD weeks in advance. DS was breech but DD I point blank refused a VBAC and she was booked in when I was about 30 weeks.

I think it was 39 + 3. I’d have preferred earlier but I think it was the earliest they’d do due to the weekend and the surgeon being on holiday or something. it was 6 years ago now!

I didn’t get a choice. Maybe if I’d made a big fuss I could’ve done, but they literally said you’re booked for this date this time and that was that.

ELCS was never up for debate due to complications with first birth, but the actual date was finalised pretty late. I was told it would be around 39 weeks though if everything stayed the same.

I had mine at 39+1, 39 fell on a Sunday. Booked in at 30 week appointment but only because I really pushed for this. They were happy to let me book at 36 weeks 😳 I had a lot of anxiety this time around after a traumatic first birth, and my consultant eventually took pity on me. So glad I had booked in advance. Meant I could organise childcare for my first, and by the time 36 weeks came around the consultant told me all the lists were full (September baby 🙄) and there ended up being strikes for most of that week

39+6, this one booked at 40+1

39+2, was given the date at 36 weeks and I requested a c section at my booking appt.

thanks everyone! My “goal” date (lol I am aware this is ridiculous and I will truly just be grateful to have a healthy pregnancy and baby!) is 39+2 and is a Tuesday - so fingers crossed!! I’ll push to get a date in as soon as I can once I’m in the system if this pregnancy gets to that stage. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

I really wanted mine to be 39 weeks exactly but my consultant only did surgery on a Thursday so it was 38+6.

@nurseshiv hadn't even considered strikes eek! Hopefully 2024 isn’t like this year was re: strike action (although of course I support them). Waiting until 36 weeks would be horrendous, I don’t know how people deal with that. 30 weeks much better!

39+4 booked at 38 weeks

Ended up 39+5 as they had a lot of emergency ones over the weekend and needed to clear the decks a bit

@Pollywoddles oh god and surgery days another consideration too. Unless I’m prepared to call around asking who does surgery on Tuesdays like a mad woman, it seems like I may have to unclench and leave the date up to fate! 🙏🏼😅

Mine were at 36+6 and 38+1. Both scheduled a couple of weeks before and no choice of dates.

My elective section was 1 week before my due date exactly but in the end they couldn't do it that day because of too many emergencies so it ended up being 3 days later

Scheduled at about 20 weeks I think

@Winnipeggy was that private?

No NHS. I don't know how things are where you are but I'd be very surprised if you get much of a say re. the date

If you went private did you get more choice about dates?

My obstetrician only did scheduled C sections on Wednesdays. That was her one solely private day where she did all electives and pre and post natal appointments. I expect any who do a mix of nhs and private are similar although will depend on the mix.

Was booked in for on my due date! (had to have one due to a previous emergency C-section). Went in to labour the day before so had another emergency C-section. Didn't get any say, just told to expect a text message during week 39.

Booked for 1 September at 36 weeks (ID twins, difficult pregnancy). Chose it deliberately because it would have tipped them into the next school year (they were due 1st October so it would have been the 'correct' schoolyear).

Anyway they turned up on the 1st August via EMCS