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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

c-sections & consultants. help.

23 replies

Rebecca1608 · 12/04/2015 15:05

I'm almost 29 weeks pregnant with identical twins and have been getting fortnightly scans & consultant appointments. By around 24 weeks pregnant I decided (after thinking about it long and hard throughout my pregnancy) that I wanted a c-section as I feel it would be the safest way to deliver, which apparently would have been recommended anyway as my girls are sharing a placenta & are always in a breech/Transverse position in every scan. However, I've never been able to see the same consultant. The first one wanted to try and push me to 37 weeks. The second said I'd probably go in around 36-38 weeks and the third one told me around 35- 36 weeks but I might not make it that far as its a complicated pregnancy and anything could happen between 30+ weeks (not filling me with much hope)

Most appointments have included having a feel of my tummy, listening to heartbeats etc but every time I bring up the c-section or getting a date they say they will discuss it with me around 34weeks.
I don't want to be told a week before I'm going in and would like some sort of plan And the last consultant put the shits up me making out I might aswell get my hospital bag ready now. Feeling anxious.

OP posts:

2015isgoingtobeBIG · 12/04/2015 16:41

You might want to re-post this on the multiples thread in parenting as you'll get more twin responses. I'm pregnant with DCDA twins and have found like you that nobody wants to discuss the birth until much nearer the time. It hasn't worried me as much because I'm less of a risk than you but it has felt a bit like I would suddenly be asked to make a decision without time to weigh up all the facts if twin one was head down. It was actually only when I spoke to my twin midwife that I got all of the facts I wanted so I now feel more informed. Could you try the same as you don't seem to have much luck with the consultants? If you know all the facts you will the feel confident to say what you want whichever consultant you meet.
Good luck

Carrierpenguin · 12/04/2015 17:38

I think discussing the date for a section is standard to be done at 34 weeks. That is when I will be given the date for mine too, they don't book in advance of that i don't think...

wonkylegs · 12/04/2015 17:50

Even if they know you are going to have a section - the actual decision isn't usually taken til about 34 weeks. I am recommended to have a section for any future pregnancies due to physical disability and the consultant for my last (unfortunately unsuccessful) pregnancy said at each appointment that she would review and make arrangements at 34weeks even though she knew I was anxious as DS turned up at 36weeks (emergency section after failure to progress) and they said they thought it would be likely to happen again. I'm not sure about twin pregnancies but i would guess they too would follow protocols.
My friend had a section at 34 weeks for health reasons which she knew about in advance but they were still being pretty flexible about things as they wanted to balance the strength of her health against that of the baby so were monitoring up to the end point.
Next appointment spell out your concerns and see if they can offer anything more re-assuring.

poorbuthappy · 12/04/2015 17:56

My section date was decided at 30 weeks for 36 weeks.
I went into labour at 34 weeks and had an EMCS.
Best laid plans and all that.

It does depend on how the pregnancy is going, how the twins are growing etc

bonzo77 · 12/04/2015 18:02

Sometimes in a complicated pregnancy they won't give you a date. They want babies to stay put as long as it is safe to. As soon as they think it's about to become unsafe they'll get you in. I was in a similar position with a singleton. There was no expectation I'd get to term, and I had Ds2 by cs at 35+5. I'd had just over 48 hours notice (with a warning to come in earlier if I was concerned).

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 12/04/2015 18:02

I didn't have twins but they left booking mine really late as they kept wanting to check things. Even though there was nothing to check, it was full on pancake grade placenta praevia and wasn't going anywhere after scan at 33 weeks. It never did get booked in as I gave birth at 36+1 via emcs. I think they would've booked it for week 39 at my 36 week appointment, although I'm guessing it might happen earlier with twins.

ChatEnOeuf · 12/04/2015 18:34

It's standard not to book a section date until much nearer the time - especially with complex pregnancies where you can have a date but it means nothing if you end up delivering sooner. No point planning (and blocking) a date that you're only half sure will be used. I'd be more concerned that with MC twins you're not getting any continuity from the obstetric team. Either way, you probably should have a bag ready for each scan appt...just in case.

Original poster

Rebecca1608 · 12/04/2015 19:08

Thanks for all of your replies. I just wanted reassurance really that it was normal for them to put it off and ideally I would like to see the same consultant and each letter I get has to see the same one but when I get called in its always someone different and although they have my notes in front of them I end up having to tell them things I've been through time and time again, which isn't a problem as they need to know. It is a problem however when they contradict one another.

OP posts:

2015isgoingtobeBIG · 12/04/2015 19:41

Are you sure you're seeing different consultants or different doctors? My appointments would always be with the same consultant but there was a line on the letter that said "but you may be seen by one of their team." I suspect you may be being seen by a registrar or clinical fellow who works for the consultant. I'd ask whether it is possible to only see the consultant but be prepared this may mean you have to wait around a bit more.

Tranquilitybaby · 12/04/2015 19:57

It's standard to not have a section confirmed and booked until 34 weeks (it was 36 weeks with my second section).

Babiecakes11 · 13/04/2015 01:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

muddylettuce · 13/04/2015 09:15

I'm not having twins but am 34 weeks and have just got a date for my section, actually I have only just been told I need a section so that was a bit of a shock! I think they usually aim to deliver at 38 weeks so a discussion at 34 sounds about right. Don't worry. X

Partyringer · 13/04/2015 09:22

Your hospital will have a protocol for delivery of multiple birth so at your next appointment ask to see it, or ring the consuktant's secretarty and ask for it to be emailed.
I'm guessing they're all fairly similar but for MCMA twins mine said scans every two weeks and planned delivery at anything past 34 weeks unless extra complications, like TTTS. Term for twins is 36 weeks but 50% are delivered pre term and that's more likely for identicals, so you're right to ask about delivery options.
(I had DCDA twins by planned section at 36 weeks, all fine.)

WrappedInABlankie · 13/04/2015 09:29

Sections are booked in for 34.

Unfortunately you'll have to pack your bags and just wait for a date, everyone has to they're booking mine in at my 34w appointment and he's said they're ring me and give me a date, it could be any date I'm not twins so they've even said to me it can be on 42 weeks. If you go into labour early you'll be at the hospital so ofc they're have people there to do the section for you.

You'll be seeing members of his team, unfortunately the consultants can usually be ridiculously busy, emergencies cropped up I didn't see My consultant last time due to a lady going in and needed to be admitted so he stayed with her and then his team took his case load.

Partyringer · 13/04/2015 09:35

Everyone's saying you don't get a booking till 34 weeks - it's different for twins. Roughly everything is brought back by 2-4 weeks depending on the type of twins.

Number3cometome · 13/04/2015 09:38

Everything really depends on the hospital - I am having a single baby, but I am not due to be given a date until 36 weeks, despite being told at 16 weeks my only option is a c-section under a GA.
It's very frustrating, but unfortunately that is the way.

Just rest assured if you do go in to labour, you can immediately ask for your c-section and it will be done.

Flugdrachen · 13/04/2015 10:06

It's not always booked at 34 weeks.

My first section was an emergency, my second elective & booked when I was 32 weeks, my 3rd was booked at 30 weeks & my last section was booked straight after my 20 week scan. I was consultant only though - never saw a midwife - very high risk (sections were done at 36/38/37/36 weeks).

I don't see the rationale of making you wait to discuss it as it is obviously a complex case ... seeing someone different each time doesn't help either. I was very fortunate to have the same consultant for my later pregnancies.

Original poster

Rebecca1608 · 13/04/2015 10:59

They were definitely consultants cause they introduced themselves to me and also the stamp I had on my notes of the names of the first and second was scribbled out and stamped again by the third.
After going through my notes my MW has put week by week- bloods etc and at 36 weeks put give birth. I know, if I go any earlier of course I'll go into hospital and I'll just have it done but the fact everyone has drilled it into me from early pregnancy how much higher risk this pregnancy is due to there only being one placenta, I would like a date in the next couple of weeks or so. Thanks partyringer, I definitely will.

OP posts:

cathpip · 13/04/2015 11:11

Obviously I can't comment on twin sections but every hospital seems to have a different system for booking elcs. At ours you are phoned and given your date in your 37/38th week, damn annoying for sorting out child care and they will not budge on this rule!

poorbuthappy · 13/04/2015 13:10

They do work on the basis that the babies are better off inside than outside unless there are further complications.

Original poster

Rebecca1608 · 13/04/2015 13:23

Yeah this is true. I'll just have to wait and try to relax and just have a bag ready lol!

OP posts:

Number3cometome · 13/04/2015 13:47

I do understand your frustration, I don't get why they cannot book me in now (with a future date for 38/39 weeks) when it's inevitable I will be having a c-section!

loveandsmiles · 13/04/2015 16:40

I've had 2 natural births followed by 3 sections and will need a 4th. The 1st was an emergency, the 2nd and 3rd booked at 28 weeks with a date for section at 38 weeks. I am currently 22+ weeks with an appointment at 28 weeks to book the section. I am in Scotland. Don't know if different health authorities have differing regulations. I appreciate with babies that anything can happen but think it makes sense to book things where possible so you can make plans.

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