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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Any mums had successful scheduled c-section at 38 weeks?

46 replies

Halleberry · 22/04/2015 09:56

Due to my mental health severely deteriorating my specialist psychiatrist has discussed with my doctor that I have baby at 38 weeks so I can get on medication and the road to recovery as soon as possible. I had my appointment yesterday and she was reluctant to do it before 39 weeks but agreed on 38 weeks and 2 days. Now I'm torn - I could hold off for the extra 5 days but I'm desperate to have my baby here as soon as possible. Is there really much difference in waiting 5 days? If I go in on the 14th of May will that make much difference to the 19th? Anyone any advice on this? I'm so scared now, but I really want her here as soon as possible. Any advice would be much appreciated. Was your baby born healthy at 38 weeks? How much difference can 5 days really make?

OP posts:

lordsandladies · 22/04/2015 10:01

At 38 weeks you are considered "Full Term" I believe. Most babies come in the 2 weeks before or after due date.

In my family of 10 grandchildren 5 were born between 35 and 37 weeks and all were absolutely fine. Home and well same as a baby born at 40 weeks.

If your MH requires it I can't see a reason to be worried

PatriciaHolm · 22/04/2015 10:03

Mine were both born by elective sections, one at 38+3 and one at 38+6, with no issues. If all is developing normally, 38 weeks should be absolutely fine.

Original poster

Halleberry · 22/04/2015 10:05

Thanks for replying. My mental health definitely requires baby to be here as soon as possible. But there's only 5 days between the scheduled date and the date the doctor originally said (19th may). They only do c sections between Monday - thursday .... So if I waited it would be the Tuesday instead. I keep thinking that those 5 days could mean the difference between her being ok and not. If I thought that baby would be ok for sure I'd stick with having her on the thursday. But really is 5 days that much of a difference? X

OP posts:

Original poster

Halleberry · 22/04/2015 10:06

Why were your elective sections at 38 weeks? Was it your decision for those dates? X

OP posts:

TranmereRover · 22/04/2015 10:09

yes - it was an elective because of a prior emergency, and that's when they book electives in for - pretty standard to go a little early when you're technically at term. Baby was same size as the first who was 42 weeks, had no feeding or breathing issues. Best thing for baby is to have you functioning as well you can, so go earlier and get back on your meds so you can enjoy it all.

Redlocks28 · 22/04/2015 10:16

Mine were all elective at 39 weeks. My consultant wouldn't do them any earlier than that.

StoneBaby · 22/04/2015 10:18

I will have an elective at 38 w due to health reason. My first born was an emcs at 38w due to failled induction and he was fine

Original poster

Halleberry · 22/04/2015 10:26

She wasn't going to agree to any earlier than the 19th but i think she could see the pain in my face at having to wait even a few days so agreed to 38 and 2 days. I've to go in for steroid injections on the Tuesday and Wednesday before hand. I just can't get out of my head if it would be better to wait those 5 days and wondering how much of a difference 5 days will make. At the same time I could wait those 5 days and Somehinf could be wrong and I could be wishing I had gone earlier ?? x

OP posts:

Micah · 22/04/2015 10:30

My first was born by EMCS at 38 weeks and was fine :)

2nd was ELCS at 38 weeks (didn't want to leave her longer due to the issues with DC1- placenta failed without warning)

Also fine.

My friends baby was born at 36 week, naturally. Home the same day.

38 weeks is full term. I don't see why you'd need steroid injections? The lungs should be perfectly fine. I'd query that.

Are you in the UK?

pocketsized · 22/04/2015 10:32

I was induced at 37+5 (due to my blood pressure) and my baby was absolutely fine. Anything after 37 weeks is considered term, and baby is not considered at any more risk than one born at 40 weeks :)

lordsandladies · 22/04/2015 10:33

You will always worry any of your decisions could hurt baby. You have to trust your Drs. They've said it's fine. It really is so go for it.

Baby needs a stable mum too x

hazeyjane · 22/04/2015 10:38

38 weeks is full term. I don't see why you'd need steroid injections? The lungs should be perfectly fine.

There is a higher risk of breathing difficulties in elcs anyway, and that risk is higher each week before term - A nearly fourfold increased risk was found at 37 weeks gestation, a threefold increase in risk at 38 weeks gestation, and a doubling of risk in infants delivered at 39 weeks gestation. (Science Daily)

I think most consultants will recommend as close to term as possible, unless there is a medical reason that it would be safer. I guess they are suggesting steroid injections to minimise any risk.

PatriciaHolm · 22/04/2015 10:47

Mine were elective at 38+3 because DD was breech and low on fluid; they wouldn't try to turn her as she had no space, and the Drs said she was better off out as they had no idea why the fluid was low, and at 38+3 she was definitely fine to come out. She was 6lb 7 and fine.

Second section was elective because I didn't want to give birth vaginally, I have a phobia/fear of birth and was extremely relieved not to have to do it first time! I explained this and the Dr said no problem, 38+6 was actually their suggestion to reduce the risk of my going into labour naturally. DS was born 7lb 6 and entirely healthy.

I think in your case I would take the earlier date. There are zero indications that the 5 days will make any difference at that gestation, and your own health will benefit. Sections at 38+ are routine, honestly.

(I don't understand why they are requiring the steroid injections either. These are normally for babies in danger of delivery before 37 weeks, which is considered term in the UK, not 38+. Have they any reason to believe your dates aren't reliable?)

Original poster

Halleberry · 22/04/2015 10:50

Yes she said its to help strengthen babies lungs ?? I'm so torn about what to do. 5 days is nothing. I know I could hold off ... But knowing that they are willing to do my section on the thursday could be to tempting. I'm dying to meet her and have her here. I still can't wrap my head round how there is such a big difference in 5 days (baby health wise) x

OP posts:

PatriciaHolm · 22/04/2015 10:51

Aha cross post with HazeyJane!

Original poster

Halleberry · 22/04/2015 10:56

No reason to believe my dates are wrong. My ob is an advocate for natural birth and I don't know if perhaps it was a scare tactic?? I also have a major fear of natural birth. I had an emergency c section with my son at 36+4 and he had a slight heart murmur (which thankfully healed) and is a thriving 10 year old now. But I don't have any regrets regarding that ... He was ready to come and he was breech and in distress so u had no choice about a section. I never really thought about the fact that the earlier I go the less chance there is of going into labour myself and having to endure natural labour so I guess that's a plus to having her at 38 weeks. I was also wondering if any mums feel that a c section helped them in regards to mental health? My mum personally feels that a natural labour would be to traumatic for me. And a friend of mine has said that it may help my mental health by pushing her out and making it feel like more of an accomplishment??? X

OP posts:

Spotsondots · 22/04/2015 11:03

It is nationally recommended obstetric practice (from the royal college of obstetrics and gynaecology) that antenatal steroids be given to mothers when an elective Caesarean section is planned prior to 39 completed weeks gestation. This is due to the known increased risk of respiratory distress in babies born out of labour before this date. The steroids help babies' lungs to cope better with delivery and the resulting adaptation. Previous posters are right in that they are usually used in preterm deliveries and that at 38 weeks you are term, but caesarean at less than 39 weeks is a second scenario in which steroids are known to benefit baby.

The majority of babies delivered at 38 weeks by LSCS (especially with steroids on board) will be fit and well. A small number may require some initial breathing support in the operating theatre, and a smaller number still may require ongoing support on the neonatal unit.

Good luck with your delivery whatever you decide and with your following treatment.

littlesupersparks · 22/04/2015 11:05

Not what you asked but I had my twins on Sunday after starting the induction process at 38+2 - they are perfectly healthy and gorgeous. I'm sure it will be fine x

Floralnomad · 22/04/2015 11:10

When I had my dd by ELCS 15 yrs ago it was scheduled for 38 weeks ,I think it was the norm then - absolutely no problems at all .

Original poster

Halleberry · 22/04/2015 11:26

Thankyou for all kind replies. How did you all feel after your sections. I felt fine after my first, but I often wonder if that was because I had no choice at all. I'm not sure how my mental health will cope. It's my mental health that has gone dramatically down hill in the last few weeks promoting an earlier delivery. (The sooner she is here the better I will feel in regards to starting medication asap, and adjusting to life with her here as quickly as possible) I also have slight spd and my feet are so swollen I struggle to walk. So for all these reasons it's better for her to come early. But with this being an actual choice as opposed to being told I need to have one ... I'm afraid I will regret never having "given birth". This will be my very beey last baby ever ever. Infact they are happy to sterilise me straight away so I can't fall pregnant again because of how bad my mental health has been and it wouldn't be advised to put myself through another pregnancy. X

OP posts:

TranmereRover · 22/04/2015 11:53

felt absolutely grand afterwards. WIth the additional issues you have walking, it all sounds better to go early.
I have never had the tiniest shred of regret about not giving birth, and have regularly and frequently thanked my lucky stars for the straightforward procedure of both the emcs and elective. The hours leading to the EMCS gave me flashbacks / terrors for months afterwards, and there's really no badge of honour to put yourself through that. With a fragile mental state, make it all as easy for yourself as you can; a healthy happy mother is a great thing for a baby. Don't struggle over some notion that "giving birth" is a noble thing to do; it's no less giving birth doing it out of the sun roof.

Number3cometome · 22/04/2015 12:12

DD was born at exactly 38 weeks (37 by my dates)

She was jaundice and had a reflux issue with her stomach which quickly resolved itself.

I again, am scheduled for a c-section at 38 weeks (37 by my dates again) but have argued to be pushed forward to 39+2 (38+2 by my dates)

I am yet to see if this request will be agreed with.

First DC was born at 40 weeks exactly (EMCS) after a long labour, so doc is not keen to allow 39 weeks incase I go in to labour early (I am GA only)

Number3cometome · 22/04/2015 12:13

Also should say recovery for both my c-sections were fine, and this time and hoping to be going home within 24 hours

ArcheryAnnie · 22/04/2015 12:21

I had an elective C-section at 38 weeks because of obstetric cholestasis (you have to get the baby out before the end of preg), and my DS was totally fine.

I was very ill, but that was more to do with my allergies to everything and my rather drastic response to surgery, not anything else. My DS was very healthy, and not even small!

Number3cometome · 22/04/2015 13:11

ArcheryAnnie Same as my sister, DN was born at 37 weeks weighing a healthy 7 1/2lb.

Both absolutely fine (despite the horror and worry that is OC)

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