Your experiences of going into labour before planned C-section date?

[marchpoppy]

OK, I have a c-section planned for the first week of July BUT my DS1 came early and my body does seem to be 'gearing up' so I wouldn't be surprised if I go into labour before the date. I have made very clear I want a CS (after EMCS with DS1 following very long, difficult labour) and hospital agrees unless my labour goes very, very fast and more risky to do c-section (unlikely).

I've been advised to get myself to the hospital at first signs of labour, so c-section can be arranged. I am anxious about this as have to get there under my own steam (single mum) and will have DS1 in tow if it happens at night, until I can get hold of babysitter.

My question is: have any of you gone into labour before the planned c-section date and gone on to have an EMCS? (I don't know if I want to hear about stories of going into labour before planned c-section and having VBAC as it's my worst fear - no horror stories please!). Was it OK? Anything you recommend?

My anxiety levels are pretty high, could do with a bit of reassurance....though I know it should all be OK in the end.

Thanks...

BUMP if I may

Hi March,

I had an EMCS a whole 12 weeks early after my waters broke at 27 +4 and I picked up an infection (DS delivered at 28 weeks exactly). I have to say that had it not been for the whole fear of DS being born so early (which you obv won't have, given that you're not mega early), the EMCS went fine.

It was all a bit 'exciting' understatement , as they made the decision and DS was out just 15 minutes later, which I think is the target they have for emergency sections, but honestly, it was totally manageable. I actually think that I'll probably have a more nerve wracking time this time around if I make it to the date of my planned section (end of July) as I'll have time to think about it and worry about what's going to happen.

Obviously they do all the same stuff they would do in a planned section - consent forms, prep for theatre, insert epidural, put up sheet between you and incision, just really, really quickly! They still had the radio on though... It was a very surreal moment to be listening to Katy Perry's Firework and seeing them pull DS out when just 20 minutes earlier we'd had no idea we were about to meet him!

Thanks snowboarder !

Hiya

I had dd2 by EMCS as she was breech and my waters broke before my ELCS date. All went fine.

Waters broke at midnight, my parents came round to look after dd1. Went into hospital and she was born at 2.22am. It was all very relaxed for me. Contractions had started but not too intense. There was talk about waiting until morning as there are more staff on but luckily the doctor just got on with it and all very calm and relaxed. I think providing you're not labouring too quickly and no issues you won't be that rushed.

Good luck

I know this sounds odd, but its sort of my ideal scenario! I had a dramatic 2nd stage CS last time, want a CS this time, but want to book it for as late as possible and quite like the idea of the baby starting it off so I know it's its time! plus my MW says that even if you only labour for a short while before a CS the baby gets that squeezing and lung stimulation which helps mitigate a bit against not getting properly squeezed in the 2nd stage

I dunno if I'm missing something vital, haven't spoken to the consultant about it yet, just the MW. I don't want a scary dramatic EMCS after hours (days) of labour... but I think I would like to start labour then go and have a calm semi-emcs

I did, only 5 days early and nothing happened that was unexpected. I wasn't sure I was in labour but was ordered to the hospital by NHS24 and they confirmed I was. I had to wait a little longer than you will as I have a complicated medical reason for the CS and the surgeon wanted to talk to my consultant at a different hospital first (there was only one experienced with my situation, who was not in that day). It was technically an EMCS but not the slightest bit traumatic and even with the complications I presented they weren't going to let me get very far into labour. I was checked up on often and not made to feel silly for being there at a stage when most women would have been sent home to wait. The ELCS/EMCS distinction is fairly arbitrary, just because it is short notice and technically an emergency doesn't mean anything bad is happening or going to happen.

I'd get your bag ready now, and try to find someone to be on-call for childcare, much the same as a natural birth. You will probably be added straight to the EMCS queue, not get to choose to have it at x o'clock once things are sorted. Good luck!

I did - it was fine! Waters has gone but nothing much else happening so had the afternoon and evening to sort out someone coming over to look after dd. Consultant asked if I was sure I wanted a CS rather than have a go at VBAC. I assured him I wanted a CS and had a lovely experience that eveing. Couldn't recommend it highly enough!

Thanks all so much for your reassuring replies!! Monkeymama I do know what you mean about the baby choosing its time and that would be one advantage of going into labour, plus the squeezing and endorphins of a bit of labour. I suppose I am just really worried about it all being a rush, but it doesn't seem from the ladies above that it will be!

I really thought things were kicking off yesterday - I had some upsetting news and a stressful, tearful day, and think that stimulated a lot of really strong BH contractions. I saw the midwife and she said head is engaging, baby is very big and she thinks it will be early (as do I). So I'm just trying to prepare myself! Have someone on call to mind my DS and bag is packed - maybe I'll still be here in 3 weeks but I think it could be sooner