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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Elective C section at 39 or 40 weeks?

30 replies

iwantitnow · 15/02/2009 19:23

Consultants are suggesting that if I have an elective it will be at 39 weeks - are there any advantages/disadvantage for the baby in letting it "cook" for another week. If I go into spontaneous labour they will probably section me anyway.

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WowOoo · 15/02/2009 19:28

I wondered about this too.
Is their concern about scar rupture at 40wks?
WWhy would they give you a section if labour is spontaneuos?

bodiddly · 15/02/2009 19:35

I think they like to book it in at 39 weeks if you are having an elective so as to avoid the possibility of you going into labour.

AtheneNoctua · 15/02/2009 19:47

Depends on so many things?

Why are you having a section, is going into labor dangerous?

How far are you form the hospital? Could you get there in a hurry if yo did go into labour?

Do you trust them to still give you a section if you go into labour? I would be afraid of the NHS changing their minds and saying oh well why don't you give it a try. We're busy. (but then I'm a dreadful cynic anywhere the NHS is involved)

BlueCowWondersSomeMore · 15/02/2009 19:58

I had my first as elective c/s at 38.5 weeks (breech position). She was only 6lb 4oz and I keep wondering if she'd have been a better weight if I'd held out for another week, or even a few days more...

V much depends on reason for caesarean, I think.

tiggerlovestobounce · 15/02/2009 20:09

I agree with Athenes questions.
Do you have any other children? If so when were they born? I found that the baby I had as a 39 week elective looked very small and 'undercooked', compared to her sisters, who were a much better weight and looked ready to be born.
If there is no reason why waiting would be risky I would leave it till 40 weeks. If you need a section then you will get one even if you arrive at the hospital in labour (and if that happens then at you know that the baby was ready to be born )

MrsMattie · 15/02/2009 20:13

They are usually trying to avoid you going into labour spontaneously if you've booked in for an elective. No other reason, unless you have some sort of complication (I had OC and had to have a section at 38 weeks - had a 7lbs 2oz, perfectly healthy beauty, and it felt much better than my first section after a lengthy induction at 42+5 and a 10 lb 2 oz baby!).

thisisyesterday · 15/02/2009 20:19

why are you having it?
i think if it were me I would rather go to 40 weeks

Original poster

iwantitnow · 15/02/2009 20:21

Baby keeps flipping to breech at 35+ weeks but not the only reason. The odds are stacked against me in having a successful VBAC for many reasons - I really don't want to go through a long labour and then EMCS again however, although the chances of me going into natural labour are slim but who knows and I am refusing induction, they do offer it for VBACs at my hospital.

10min drive to the very busy hospital although I think its a shortage of midwives for VB where they have problems not in getting a section. DD was 40+5 and over 9lbs she was definitely ready to come out at EMCS. It would be weird to not have a large baby to be honest, she slept and BF very well so tempted to go to 40 weeks.

OP posts:

samsonthecat · 15/02/2009 20:34

My elective section for DD2 was booked for 39+3. However my waters broke and I went into labour at 38weeks exactly. I went to the hospital and had my section that day but I had to wait cause I'd foolishly had breakfast before we went incase we had to wait around too long. No problem in getting my section when I was in labour as it was already booked for another day anyway.

estobi1 · 16/02/2009 20:11

Mine was booked for 39 weeks and I went into labour at 38 weeks - it was such a relaxed calm experience by contrast to a natural delivery. If you are offered it grab it with both hands! My dd2 born at 38 weeks was one pound lighter than my dd born at 40 weeks plus one day and both are absolutely fine. Relax and take it as it comes (hard though isn't it!) good luck

Meglet · 18/02/2009 14:13

My consultant told me that by waiting until 39 weeks for a planned cs the number of babies admitted to special care plummetted as they were nearly all 'cooked' properly. Whereas babies whipped out at 38 weeks tended to have more breathing problems.

however he said if babies decide to appear sooner than 39 weeks and are taken out by cs then they are all usually fine at that late stage of pregnancy.

shakespeare · 04/03/2009 09:21

I think the reason they don't want you to go into spontaneous labour is in case there are complications with the c-sec and you need a GA. Chances are that you would have eaten something within the 24 hours before hand, which can pose a risk if having major surgery. Although the risk of having a GA is small (and can happen even if having a natural birth), I think that if they are planning surgery, they would prefer to the person to be nil by mouth before hand if possible.

Carrie06 · 04/03/2009 09:49

The risk of breathing difficulties in babies requiring admission to NNU is slightly less at 39 wks vs 38 wks - think it's something like 1.4% vs 4% according to the booklet I received on elective sections from the hospital. Cx

Original poster

iwantitnow · 04/03/2009 10:53

Thanks CS now booked for 39+3 rather than 39 as that would be Friday the 13th. If I go into labour naturally before then may try for a VBAC but I know high risk of emcs. Only 12 days to go...

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2Helenback · 05/03/2009 12:11

They offered me my elective on my due date! I was freaked out as they told me would probably be at 39 0r 38 and I'd got that into my head. I was being monitored for growth due to age and weight, but I think they now think it won't be a monster form the deep so I can keep going as long as possible.

They offered me April 1st as well. Erm, no thanks.

FruitynNutty · 05/03/2009 14:27

Ooh iwantitnow You're section is 2 days before mine! Booked mine this morning. I'll also be 39+3 and I can't wait!

Wheelybug · 05/03/2009 15:33

Fruity - what happened to the VBAC (nosey emoticon ??) ?

FruitynNutty · 05/03/2009 16:42

haha, I've copped out big time

Baby is breech and in a very peculiar position. I don't want an ECV either. Seems quite barbaric!
So, this morning I booked a c-section (and that doesn't seem barbaric? ).

I wasn't going to get my dream water vbac and I certainly wasn't going to get a HB.
I've just sort of given up hope.
Having spoken to the consultant this morning we both agreed it was best to book a c-section.

Having had one before (emergency) I sort of know what to expect - went very well. I'm hoping it will be even easier this time as it's planned

MrsJoeMcIntyre · 05/03/2009 16:44

FruitynNutty - I did exactly the same thing as you. I had my section for breech dd at 38 weeks.

Wheelybug · 05/03/2009 16:49

Oh don't be embarrassed fruity - I wasn't judging you, just wondered what had happened. Can totally understand where you're coming from. I could have been having an elective tomorrow (39 weeks) and part of me thinks it might have been the best course of action as I can see a lot of positives ! At any rate I am fairly open minded that it might end in elective or emergency c-sec anyway.

So, when you having it ? 18th ? I have until 23rd but I think DH and I have decided to book c-sec for 20th if I have the choice so I'm in hospital over the weekend as that would be easier for dd.

MammyINeedAWee · 05/03/2009 17:04

If I hadn't had a c section at 39+6 I would have probably gone overdue again - DD was 10lb 10oz and 17 days late and DS was 9lb 14oz - imagine what he would have weighed 17 days late!!!!!!
I had a pretty horrible, painful and yuck labour firat time round and was over the moon to have had the c section this time. yeah I have a tummy smile but I'm a happy Mummy!!

uptomyeyes · 05/03/2009 17:15

I've had three elective c-sect at 35, 36 and 37 weeks, only my 37-weeker needed any help breathing and my 35 weeker was my heaviest at 6lb 10.

FruitynNutty · 05/03/2009 21:08

Thanks Wheely It's on the 18th March. A day after Paddy's day, I've warned DP he's not to go out drinking! (he's not Irish anyway but any excuse!)
What made you decide against having an elective c-section? What was the reason for it? - You've probably said already but I seem to have misplaced my brain!

Original poster

iwantitnow · 05/03/2009 21:32

My baby was breech until last week and I was sort of glad that a section again looked like it was going to happen. However he turned at 36+4 weeks. However, there are other complications that means a section looks like the best option and the consultant agreed.

Wheely good luck with your VBAC but a word of warning if you want to book an elective at the last minute that you often can't choose the date as they are either too busy with other electives/inductions booked up or some hospitals have only some assigned days that they do electives. I couldn't get the 12th March so I went for the 16th. I wanted the Thursday so it would be easier for my DD too and my DH's paternity leave but they were full.

OP posts:

Wheelybug · 05/03/2009 22:34

Fruity - a number of reasons really. Practicalities - being back on feet quicker (although was pretty quick after emergency c-s) and driving quicker esp as my DH has been seriously ill the last 6 months and isn't really driving either. Its not the end of the world given we live in London.

Also, I was in 8 nights with dd (3 before, 1 during, 4 after) and I hate the thought of having to stay in for any length of time.

And probably the main reason is curiosity/stubborness/wanting to give it a go. I don't at all feel that c-sec is a failure (and can see many positives) but I'd like to try.

My reasons for an emergency c-sec last time were quite specific - dd had to be induced 3 weeks early as she had IUGR (hadn't grown very well) so she wasn't ready at all to come out/ possibly didn't have the strength to go through labour. I don't have these problems this time so I feel I have a relatively good chance of VBAC.

That said, if they turn round to me and recommend a c-sec at any point I'll have it no question.

Thanks for the tip iwantitnow - I'll have to go with the flow and see what happens re dates. Fingers crossed I won't be worrying about it.

Good luck both of you - hope you have really positive experiences, which I'm sure you will. Look forward to seeing the birth announcements.

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