Can I ask refuse to have a CS before, say, 39 weeks?

[Hopefully]

Completely hypothetical question (am not pregnant), but I'm going to be having a planned CS for next delivery after mahoosive tearing last time round.

Anyway, last pregnancy was almost 42 weeks, and not for a moment did I consider that 'overdue'. I never felt that DS was ready to come out before then iykwim, and although he was massive, I felt perfectly happy that he was meant to be a long pregnancy - my placenta was much admired by MW for being so perfect after such a long pg!

That sounds really silly, and there's no particular reason a second baby shouldn't be ready sooner, but I feel that having had a long pregnancy first time round, popping number two child out at 38 weeks would be really early.

So, long and short, if I'm lucky enough to fall PG again, can I INSIST on not having the operation before I'm 39 weeks? Or will I have to take what I'm given? Can they threaten me with a proper delivery if I don't do as I'm told?

They usually try not to do CS before 39 weeks anyway so you probably wont have one any earlier if everything is OK.

Agree ith Chyna, they really push for at least 39 weeks.

I had emcs after induction with DD1 at 42+2.

2nd was a planned section - originally for placenta praevia, then they realised the scan was wrong so in the end it was my choice, no medical reason.

Was booked in for CS at 40 weeks no problems - like you I felt my DCs like to "cook" for a while and they were fine with that. Obviously if I'd gone into spontaneous labour before the CS date I'd have had to go with the flow, so that's the risk you take there.

Goos luck with TTC

39 weeks-ish is standard for an elective section. I was booked in for 39+5 initially, but ended up having complications and delivered at 38 weeks. This also felt ridiculously early to me, as my first child was born at 42+5. He weighed 10 lbs 2 oz, so I was used to big babies and quite scared at the thought of a tiny little baby, but in the end, she was 7 lbs 2 oz, so hardly titchy.

37 weks is full term, so I wouldn't worry too much, but yes, you can certainly say 'the later the better'. It usually all comes down to when the consultant can schedule you in, anyway!

Round here they seem to book everyone in at 38 weeks, but good to know that 39 is perfectly normal. Thanks for your comments!

I was told they wouldn't book an elective cs before 39 weeks. I think these are the NICE guidelines now, because babies born before then can have breathing problems.

Don't assume that just because your first pregnancy was 42 weeks your second will be as well. I was 11 days overdue first time around, but went into labour naturally while in the hospital waiting for my elective cs at dead on 39 weeks second time around. I got the section, by the way!

Mine was 39 weeks. The consultant rattled off some info about recent studies showing breathing difficulties dropped considerably of the cs was delayed from 38-39 weeks.

Fab, all very reassuring!

Tutti I live in fear of something like that happening! Luckily I expect I would go into complete panic shut down at the thought of a second birth as traumatic as the first and labour wouldn't progress, so I'd still have plenty of time for my CS

Ah, but that's what I thought, Hopefully! You can't get a much less relaxed atmosphere than a hospital corridor, but it didn't stop the onset of labour. Don't want to worry you though - it's so unlikely, and they will do the section anyway, but I think 39 weeks is a good compromise.

They will only do it before 39 weeks if there is a compelling reason to do so. My elective was 15th of the month, EDD was 20th of the month.