Dilating....how far is too far if you're due a c-section?

[MissusRabbit]

Forgive my ignorance but this is bothering me somewhat!

I'm due an elective section (have had 2 before and don't fancy a vbac for lots of reasons). Anyway, have had a couple of scares re: early labour which have amounted to nothing and been sent home. First DC came early and no-one thought i was in labour....same with other DC (got to 4-5cm without knowing), as I wasn't really in any pain, but could feel amidly annoying tightening. Last week i had contractions (5mins apart) but had not dilated. I have been told to come in when it gets painful - but it never has been painful in the past and i have been dilating then.

SO the questions is - how dilated can you get before its too late for a c-section?? Don't want t be sitting at home thinking its nothing then find out i'm "too far" or do you have to be almost at the 10cm for it to be a problem??????

Sorry for rambling!

I don't know about elective sections (although if you were already in labour I guess it could count as an emergency one) but I was fully dilated and pushing when I had a section. When are you next due to see your midwife? It might be worth raising with her?

I was fully dilated and had been pushing for 3 hours when I was whisked off to theatre whilst having DD. And with DS it was agreed that I would have a trial of labour and if it became obvious that it wasn't going to happen naturally, I'd have a section. So I don't think there is a case of being "too far". But as Happy said, best have a talk with your midwife.

You can still have a csection if 10cm dilated, but if the baby has begun to descend then you may have to take the hint and deliver naturally. It may be too late for csection. I was taken into theatre for emcs at 10cm dilated because baby was stuck and pushing was ineffective, so it is not the amount of dilation, but whether baby is on the way down the birth canal. I think.

I asked this of my consultant a couple of weeks ago - why they chose to use rotational forceps for DD rather than C-sec (emergency and had been rushed to theatre). She said a c-section is harder once fully dilated if the baby has started to descend. Something about needing to pull the baby back UP again to get it out.

Am sure it's possible but you sound like you might want to head in earlier rather than later if you dilate silently.

Thank you - you have put my mind at rest! I'm seeing my consultant next week (if i get that far) so will mention it too him also.