Elective c-section date worries

[Nicjk]

I am pregnant with my second baby and have decided to have an elective c-section after my first birth ended up being an emergency section. My due date is 14th Dec and the date I have been given for my planned section is 10th Dec. I am worried that the date I have been given is only 4 days before I'm due and the risk of going into labour before it. I'm carrying very low and when I was last measured, I was told there had been accelerated growth. I was not scanned and the growth was not recorded on my chart. My next midwife appointment is in 2 weeks. I'm really concerned about the date and not sure what to do. Anybody had anything similar?? Any advice would be welcome 🙏😊

Most NHS trusts now have it as hospital policy that they will not deliver before 39 weeks for elective c-sections if they are maternal requests rather than medically indicated. Some trusts will do after 38 weeks but most book you in for 39 weeks. The risk of complications for baby does increase with earlier deliveries if not for a specific medical reason, even mild things like jaundice are much more likely if baby is delivered before due date. I have a medical condition that means it could be life threatening for me to go in to spontaneous natural labour and even then my baby was booked in for 38+1. I managed to persuade them to go earlier for my youngest who was 37+3 but the result of this was that she had such bad jaundice we were in hospital for a week.

I would advise that you get in touch with your midwife about your concerns about growth and ask if you could have another scan, if baby is measuring very big they may consider bringing your date forward a few days. However it will depend on availability.

It is medically indicated as she has had a previous section.

Your do due till mid dec so no rush. Just wait till your next appt and ask how it can be brought forward. It's no biggie we do this all the time. You'll be due to see the consultant at 36/40 anyway no?

Big girl pants on, and advocate for yourself. It's your birth your body and your baby.

I don’t think this would count as medically indicated though, it would be recorded as “maternal request due to previous c-section” or similar. It is still a choice, VBAC also an option. What I mean is that there’s no reason baby is being delivered early due to maternal medical condition/IUGR/medical problems with baby.

I think that’s very normal, although I can understand your concerns. As far as I’m aware, as had been mentioned above, most trusts stick to 39 weeks or later for elective csections. My child was born by C-section two days before my due date, I felt the same as you but it was absolutely fine. I was always reassured that I would still get my C-section even if I went into labour before the planned date.

Thanks for the advice. I saw the consultant 2 weeks ago which was when they booked the section and measured bump. The only other appointment I have now is with my midwife on 4th Nov. After that, the next one is thr section on 10th Dec.
I agree though... I need to speak up about my worries 😟

@Nicjk my waters broke before my section and I was just put on the emergency list but as a low category emergency. My waters broke at 5pm Saturday, I stayed in overnight for monitoring and was prepped for the section at 1pm Sunday. It was busy so I had it at 9pm however on a weekday wouldn’t have waited this long.

You will likely still have a section if you go into labour before date. Like above my waters broke a few days before my maternal request c-section date (1st baby, no medical need) They went at 4am and I was in theatre by 11am, once any emergency sections had taken place. Voice any worries, but labour starting shouldn't prohibit your desire for a section, it just no longer gets categorised as elective.

Ask to be tested for gestational diabetes

If you go into labour early you should still get the c section