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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

‘Forced election at 39 weeks’

45 replies

XjustagirlX · 03/01/2025 18:53

I am having my second baby soon. For my first baby I had very early preeclampsia so had to have a cesearean.

for this baby, I’m being monitored for preeclampsia but no signs yet. I would like to try a vaginal birth but book a csection for around 41 weeks. Obviously if I get preeclampsia my plan will have to change.

I was told at my appt today that they ‘won’t let me’ go past 39 weeks. But they encourage induction from 37 weeks.

this seems ridiculous to me. I explained that provided I have no preeclampsia signs then I should be able to go to 41 weeks to see if I labour naturally before my due date.

has anyone experienced this before and got any advice on what to say to the consultants.

edited to say the title should read - forced csection at 39 weeks

OP posts:

52for2025 · 03/01/2025 18:59

They can’t make you have a c section. Well they can with a court order but as your child doesn’t legally exist yet that isn’t going to happen.

The staff can and should tell you the potential risks of each option.

It’s worth speaking to the labour ward and asking if they have a PMA midwife you can speak to and if not ask if the most senior midwife will speak to you. You will probably need to wait for them to call you back but maybe able to help you.

DragonFly98 · 03/01/2025 19:01

Nobody can force you but there is nothing ridiculous about medical advice that could potential save your life and your baby’s.

Greybeardy · 03/01/2025 19:06

is their advice more to do with the increased risk of uterine rupture in labour with a post-dates pregnancy?

DPotter · 03/01/2025 19:06

How far are you along now X ?

ChickpeaPie · 03/01/2025 19:07

I don't see that your history of PET is an indication for early birth. They definitely can't make you do anything. I would ask to seek a second opinion, or a consultant midwife discussion. Or ask them to provide the evidence that informs this recommendation.
If it's truly the recommended plan and you choose to decline then that's still fine, but would be advisable to have extra monitoring in place

Original poster

XjustagirlX · 03/01/2025 19:07

@DragonFly98 i asked why the risk of still birth goes up after 39 weeks. He said he couldn’t give me the data or the research.

i also asked for a vbac provided I had no signs of preeclampsia. He said that they would still do csection at 39 weeks in case I got preeclampsia.

my point is that why can’t I just do vbac with section at 41 weeks and if I start to show signs of preeclampsia then obviously I will reconsider an early csection. Why not just let me see if I deliver before 41 weeks. They say they support my choice but they aren’t actually giving me time to go naturally.

OP posts:

CharSiu · 03/01/2025 19:10

You would be foolish to not listen to the advice.

LouiseTopaz · 03/01/2025 19:15

Why won't they let you, what are the risks?

artfuldodgerjack · 03/01/2025 19:16

What seems ridiculous is that you are ignoring advice from a medical professional who wants the best for you and your baby.

jellybe · 03/01/2025 19:19

They can't make you do anything but they can advise you. Does your hospital have a consultant midwife? Request a meeting with them to discuss the dr's plan vs what you want. He should be able to give data/ evidence to support his plan and they should be able to come to a compromise with you which supports you whilst at the same time doesn't put you or your baby at risk.

Esssa · 03/01/2025 19:22

Induction after a section is usually avoided due to risk of rupture. So scrap that idea. I too see no reason why you can use expectant management and see how your pregnancy progresses. If you have signs of preeclampsia then obviously reassess. Tell them what you want to do. If they aren't listening get an appointment with the head of midwifery to tell them instead. They should sort it out for you.

Esssa · 03/01/2025 19:26

artfuldodgerjack · 03/01/2025 19:16

What seems ridiculous is that you are ignoring advice from a medical professional who wants the best for you and your baby.

I'm sorry but I call bullsh1t. The medical professional is more worried about litigation. They have no regard for the op's wants which are valid. Op isn't saying vbac at all costs, they are saying vbac up to 41 weeks if possible. From what they say I can't see why it can't at least be discussed instead of streamrollered.

Original poster

XjustagirlX · 03/01/2025 19:28

@Greybeardy they said that was a risk but they are happy for me to vbac (but only before 39 weeks). They said they wouldn’t be happy for be to vbac if I had 2 csections due to rupture.

@DPotter im 32 weeks now.

OP posts:

SatinHeart · 03/01/2025 19:30

How old are you OP? The not wanting you to go to 41 weeks might be to do with your age as well as /instead of your medical history.

Original poster

XjustagirlX · 03/01/2025 20:21

@SatinHeart ive just turned 35

OP posts:

Original poster

XjustagirlX · 03/01/2025 20:22

I specifically asked why the risk and he said ‘in case I get preeclampsia’. Surely it’s more logical to see if I actually get it.

OP posts:

Viviennemary · 03/01/2025 20:23

DragonFly98 · 03/01/2025 19:01

Nobody can force you but there is nothing ridiculous about medical advice that could potential save your life and your baby’s.

Absolutely. Do you want to get pre enclampsia and then have to have an emergency C section. Of course not. So heed medical advice.

UndertheseaPineappleHouse · 03/01/2025 20:24

Maybe it’s because of how early on you had preeclampsia last time OP?

justasking111 · 03/01/2025 20:29

XjustagirlX · 03/01/2025 20:22

I specifically asked why the risk and he said ‘in case I get preeclampsia’. Surely it’s more logical to see if I actually get it.

My DIL showed no signs before hand natural labour proceeded. Then she began seizing. It was a dash to theatre. She was very unwell afterwards. Because of this preeclampsia she had an elective c section the second time.

We nearly lost both of them. So no I wouldn't risk it.

Bunnybear42 · 03/01/2025 20:36

I had an elective c-section 2nd time around at 39 weeks even though my baby wasn't breech (like my first). I'd been gently advised it was better as risk of uterine rupture is more common than you think so you could go through all your labour and then end up with emergency surgery anyway and with much higher risks and consequences. I'd like to think the medical professionals are suggesting the safest option for you and baby based on your previous pregnancy it seems sensible to me?

AuntieMaggie · 03/01/2025 20:41

I developed preeclampsia 2 weeks post birth having had no symptoms beforehand. It can develop really quickly in my experience so in your position I would absolutely be listening to their advice to avoid a possible emergency situation if it did develop.

Original poster

XjustagirlX · 03/01/2025 20:45

if I show signs of preeclampsia then I’m happy to reassess. I’m being heavily monitored due to my last pregnancy. And I’ve shown no signs yet.

I also had an emergency csection last time. to be honest I’m happy to try vbac upto 41 weeks and if I need an emergency csection then I’m happy with that risk. To me the benefit and personal choice outweighs the risk to me personally. And I know they are just following hospital policy but it’s frustrating that they won’t listen to my preferences which I think are quite well considered.

OP posts:

parietal · 03/01/2025 20:53

Ask them how quickly the preeclampsia can come on and what symptoms you should watch for. The worry is that it can get bad very quickly, eg in the middle of the night when you aren't in hospital and that would be very dangerous for you and your baby.

amispeakingintongues · 03/01/2025 21:07

Demand to see the data and research so you are able to make an informed decision because at the moment no medical professional has explained why they are forcing baby out before they are ready when you are perfectly healthy.

Ask for a second opinion or consultant if they don't provide you with the evidence.

As you know, they can't force you to do ANYTHING.

Also follow kemibirthjoyjohnson on instagram who knows firsthand how fucked the NHS system is and how they sabotage birth every damn day.

Stay strong. Listen to your intuition. And congratulations!

Aligirlbear · 03/01/2025 21:43

They can't force you but maybe they have assessed the risks (based on medical training / experience rather than Mumsnet views) and believe that an elective management is a safer option for both you and your baby.

When things go wrong they tend to go wrong very quickly and spectacularly and can't always be appropriately managed / are the right staff available in that exact moment or are they already managing other emergency situations.

Have you read many other MN threads where sadly things have gone horribly wrong and sadly what should be a joyous event has become an indescribably tragic outcome.

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