Elective date - fed up

[Kindersuprises]

I just need to vent. I need rant how pissed off I am.

DC1 was a EMC. DC2 I tried for VBAC but a cat 1 emergency under general anaesthetic. This time I’m pregnant with DC3 all midwives saying it needs to be an elective section - fine.

I’ve been saying for weeks and months it needs to be week 38 date as I went into spontaneous labour both previous times at week 38 and I can just feel it in my body each time that I don’t go to full term week 40. I was reassured at every point I could have a week 38.

Cue my birth choices appointment being cancelled 3 times and moved weeks and weeks along. Just had it and consultant happy to book me in for week 38 (and agrees this is by far the best option as I went from 0-9cm in less than 2 hours last time).

AND NOW THEYRE FULLY BOOKED FOR weeks. Want to give me a mid week 39 section as this is the only one date left in the calendar. Apparently all other women needing sections have already been booked in while I was still waiting for my cancelled birth choices meeting over and over again. I’m just so angry and fucked off. Consultant said don’t worry you can just come in as another emergency section again. Fucking great.

I know I sound princessy and spoilt. i just feel led down the garden path with so many promises of ‘it will be different this time/ it will calmer/ you will 100% get an elective / we will look after you.’

but another chaotic emc. With 2 older children needing childcare. With a dangerous birth last time where dc2 almost died. All because they couldn’t be more organised with their calendar and also read my notes properly.

im so so frustrated.

Sounds very stressful, sorry you are in this position. Can you ask your midwife to speak to the booking team to put you as high priority for cancellations? I work in obstetric theatres/recovery and we often have cancellations where women have either gone into spontaneous labour beforehand or for many reasons a c section has been brought forward.

Hope you can get an earlier date.

Thanks that’s a good idea, thanks for replying

I’m so sorry! I second asking to be put on the list for a cancellation. I had similar - though not quite as stressful - with my first section. I was booked for 39+ 6, but a couple of weeks before the consultant said they recommended no later than 39 weeks. Due to a previous placental abruption in labour they didn’t want to risk me going into labour naturally. I was given the details of the c section booking coordinator and liaised with her. Eventually, when I was 38+ a few days, a slot came up for 39 weeks exactly. It was a bit of a scramble with childcare (found out just before the jubilee weekend!) but it worked out. Very best of luck, I’m so sorry that it’s all so stressful.

I would recommend having an appointment with your midwife asap and telling them that this is really affecting your mental health. They should take it seriously.

The NICE guidelines are that you should be booked for 39 weeks, even if you labour earlier; and if you go into labour again, your section is done then.

I had exactly this, this time round. A serious complaint later and the NICE guidance has changed, so it doesn’t matter what a consultant wants (mine wanted 37 weeks), the schedulers will book for 39 weeks.

Mine ended up coming at 36+6, so it was the faff about 39 weeks didn’t matter anyway, and the consultant and his secretary and the four senior midwives involved were all adamant they hadn’t yet been told about the change, but all they could do was put in requests for the gestation they wanted - which are ignored now, it seems.

I was really scared, and advised to talk to them about how much my mental health was being impacted, but that now just leads to a perinatal mental health referral, not a faster date.

Interesting - I was booked in for 38 weeks exactly this time (second section). Same reason - placental abruption in previous labour meaning I shouldn’t go into labour naturally - but this time the consultant didn’t want to risk waiting until 39 weeks. So at least some trusts do book them for earlier if there is a clinical reason.
Edited to add that my second section was 6 weeks ago, so very recent. With the first section, 3 years ago, the consultant was happy to wait for 39 weeks.

How far along are you? I was in the exact same position (EMC, attempted VBAC with Cat1/ general anaesthetic) and was told elective caesarean from the get go. It was booked in really early on, iirc, so I had my pick of dates! (Although I couldn't have my first choice as they didn't do electives on a Friday). Really surprised it was left so late that they can't get you in?! Definitely ask to be put on a waiting list for cancellations, or even try arguing with someone again to book you in an earlier day, as they always leave some space anyway for emergencies on the day. Good luck!

So I’m 35 weeks. I want a week 38 section. They’ve definitely left it too bloody late.

im so glad you were looked after and booked in really early. I wish mine had just booked me in at like 20 weeks, I don’t understand all this waiting? As if anything would change?!

They’ve booked me a 39 week section so they’re covered their arses with nice guidelines but medically they’ve put me at risk as I’m not supposed to go into labour and I will. I won’t make it to 39 weeks.

another emergency c section here I come :( :(

Bloody hell that is so infuriating about it saying mental health leads to a referral rather than them actually pulling their finger out and helping you

Both my c sections were booked in when I was around 24 weeks pregnant and that was under two different trusts. I needed them for medical reasons so there was no question as to whether or not I needed them and the consultants simply booked me in there and then. As it happened, I went into labour a week before my c section date and I was put on the emergency list for that date. It was still a calm and controlled environment rather than a true emergency, but I appreciate with your history an emergency for you is a true emergency.

I have no idea why they book them in so late when there’s no question as to whether a c section is needed. Sending you good wishes OP. Hope it works out.

Update: having contractions at exactly 38 weeks and admitted overnight. Likely c section in the morning or during the night.

feeling reassured now and in the right place. And slightly smug that I knew a week 39 section was a bit ambitious!!

Good luck, hope it goes smoothly!

Baby is here!!!!! 38+1. Went into labour with v mild contractions and was admitted. A very chilled day waiting for a slot to come up on the emc list and just had a category 3 emc which was nice and calming :) thanks for all the replies to this thread

Congratulations! Hope you get plenty of support!

congratulations