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

[Halleberry]

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?

All of these replies are very positive. I feel like 5 days won't make much difference at all ... (I'm praying it won't) and that for my mental health it is imperative that she gets here as soon as healthily and physically possible. I pray to God my baby girl is ok. It's only 5 days shy of 39 weeks anyway. Maybe I shld prepare for the worst anyway ?? xx

I had elcs at 38+3 due to transverse breech baby. There is some evidence that shows that babies are more likely to have breathing difficulties if born by cs before 39 weeks so I was given steroids (last lot at 2am of the day of elcs).
Despite this he did have breathing difficulties and spent his first 2 days intubated in NICU and unable to breathe alone. However I now have a very healthy 21 month old who hasn't had any breathing issues since - not even a chest infection.
Currently pregnant again and will have another ecls but due to paranoia I will insist on waiting to 39 weeks. In reality I have no idea whether the extra 5 days would have made a difference or not, but for me I'd rather wait!

There's been some articles lately that say they are thinking of categorising babies born at 37/38 as early term and 39+ as full term. There can be lung problems, although rare, and also brain size increases rapidly in the last few weeks. The baby gets immunity from mother in the last 4 weeks and they also build up iron stores during that period. Feeding difficulties are also more common the earlier the baby. I had a 36 weeker myself which I know is officially premature, but there were some women with 37 weekers having problems when I was in.
It should be fine though OP as your health is very important too and it's a balance between the two of you. If you're sure of your dates it should be fine. They recommend 39 weeks due to the reasons above but a lot of women deliver before with no problems, hope all goes well.

My DD was born bang on 38 weeks - because of my medical needs - I also had the steroid injection as it was recommended to help with her lungs - she was and is perfect - so please don't worry. If it is best for you that she comes quickly, it'll be best for her too. Recovery was swifter than I had expected and I'm grateful I had such a relaxed, easy happy birth - fingers crossed yours goes as well

My situation is very similar to yours. I've had a very positive experience which I will tell you about, but I will go on my laptop to do it because my phone is a pain, so just place marking!

Thankyou for all replies and look forward to hearing your success story Coast girl xx

Dd was born at 38 weeks exactly. I had placenta previa, so 38 weeks was the best compromise between leaving her in as long as possible, and not risking me going into labour.

I had steroid injections the week before. She was 6 lb 11, perfectly healthy, and is currently snoozing her way through her bed time feed at 100 days old today!

I found t he birth very positive and recovered much faster than I expected

Thanks so much for all replies. Think I have decided to stick with the original date of the 14th. My anxiety levels are through the roof and I know all that can't be good for her either ?? the quicker she gets out the better for me and her ((hopefully)) x

Sorry it's taken me so long, I completely forgot!

Right. I have severe anxiety, and during pregnancy it worsened and developed into severe depression too. Although my mental health had improved at around 6 months pregnant, it started to worsen again right at the end. I've always been terrified about childbirth, and my fears were getting worse and making me really anxious. I was dithering about asking for a c-section but felt like I shouldn't. But then I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes really late in my pregnancy and that tipped my anxiety over the edge. I became more terrified about things like shoulder dystocia, and also knew that I'd be induced early, meaning I'd be more likely to have an assisted delivery or emergency c-section. At this point I told the consultant that I was terrified and wanted a c-section. He talked through all the things I was scared of, and risks, both in relation to a vaginal delivery and a c-section, realised I knew what I was talking about, and straight away offered me an elective c-section. He felt that it was the best thing for me and my baby, and my mental health was very important. Things had been so bad during the pregnancy, nobody wanted things deteriorating again. My c-section was booked for 38+6 and I was told I'd need the steroids. They are standard practice now for any planned delivery before 39 weeks.

Things then changed even more. I developed a severe PUPPS rash, and was tested several times for obstetric cholestasis (all negative). On one of the occasions I was at the PAU being tested, my arms were itching so much I was bleeding from scratching. At that point the midwife who was seeing to me had me seen by a consultant and they decided I couldn't be left any longer. So I was admitted that day and given the steroids, which helped with the itching, and they brought my c-section forward a few days to 38+3.

All the medical staff involved (that's a lot!) were of the opinion that it was fine to deliver my baby at 38+3, particularly as I'd had the steroids. My mental health was taken very seriously. It's my belief that baby needs a happy mum, and a few days can make a big difference. For me, the itching was making things intolerable. A few more days would have resulted in me having a new born baby after several weeks of no sleep. As things were, I'd had a few days respite from the itching due to the steroids, but it was starting to come back, so the c-section was at the right time. I'm now the proud mummy of a six week old baby boy, and my mental health is better than it's been for a very long time. I don't think I'd have been feeling anywhere near as good as this if I'd waited longer, or been induced. I definitely think I'm a better mum because my head is in such a good place.

Good luck! Sorry for the essay. I got carried away. Sure it's not all relevant.

my three elective sections have been at 38 weeks (x2 - though dd I think was earlier than that) & at 37 weeks. All fine & lovely, babies fine no breathing/feeding problems at all. With ds2 I had steroids at 36+4 but nothing with the others.

In my case 38 weeks was the absolute latest anyone was happy leaving them in & I was massively relieved that they brought the last one forward to 37 weeks.

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???

Halle I had serious mental health problems relating back to a teenage rape and pregnancy. I had an emergency section like you with my first. I wanted to have a section with my second but baby arrived before the scheduled date and came too quickly for a section to be done.

I have to say I was terrified of giving birth vaginally was sure I couldn't do it etc. but when I did (assisted with ventouse) it felt like an enormous accomplishment, I was so empowered.

Why does your mum feel natural labour would be too traumatic for you? If there are physical reasons, can anything be done to allay them? Or if there are mental health reasons, is there anything can be done to support you?

I'm getting lots of support - but it's not working. Every day is a constant battle from the second I open my eyes (that's when I actually get any sleep) until I manage to fall over to sleep. Racing thoughts, deep deep depression, ocd, feelings of despair and doom. I can't really describe it except to say it's HORRIBLE! There are no physical reasons I can't give birth naturally. I think my mum just believes that because of the way I am it would be better to know when she was coming, prepare myself better, no trauma from the pain of labour. But now you have suggested I could feel empowered it's making me wonder if I will regret not having tried ... I'm really torn about what to do xx

Try to follow your instincts would be my advice.
Also have you considered having a Doula?
Google "doula international" to see if there are any near you.

I replied to this yesterday on my phone but it didn't work!

Just wanted to say that my midwife was of the opinion that giving birth would empower me too, but I just think that I was too unwell for it. My fear would have made it a really difficult experience for me. The way I see it, is there's nothing to stop me trying for a vbac in the future if I feel better/differently about things. Now I've had a c-section though, I think I'd probably have another. I had a really positive experience, was home the next day, and I'm sure it was right for me.

Good luck. I really hope things go well for you. Do what you have to to make yourself as mentally well as possible.

I have not read all the replies but my dd was born at exactly 38 weeks by elecevtice section. Do not worry about not experiencing childbirth. I was traumatised after a forcep and suction delivery on first born and became ill after so doc said section for next one. It was a doddle in comparison . Just make sure you have loads of help..

I requested demanded my elcs (1 previous emcs and 1 elcs) at 38 weeks. I am only 5ft and suffer from lymphoedema, which basically meant I was a waddling bag of water. I was also measuring over 40 weeks pregnant by the time I was 34 weeks and rather uncomfortable in agony to say the least. I showed him my cankles and his face was a picture and I pretty much said I would break my waters myself if he didn't agree to it! I was required to go in for steroid injections though - he really was reluctant.
Dc3 came out at 38+1 weighing 9lbs so I knew I'd called it right, plus I'm convinced that my dates made me further on than I had been told at the 12 week scan.

Can't remember exactly but first was just before 38 weeks due to breech and second ten days before due date and was a repeat c due to my first. Both absolutely fine and good weights. Don't worry OP, it will all be fine.

My DC was born by elcs before 37 weeks. Had the steroids and apart from 4 days in special care all was well.

I had by DS2 4 weeks ago by ELCS at 38+2. My first was also ELCS.
I had steroid injections this time round, and my little one was fine. I was worried that I would regret not having a natural birth too but as my friend who is a midwife said 'You are pregnant for the baby not the birth'
I won't be pregnant again as I was sterilised at the same time too. Good luck xx

Thanks so much to you all for sharing your success stories with Me. This has helped ease my mind a bit. I do feel like I have just as much chance of being traumatised by a natural labour as a section. My mum had an emergency section with me (recovered fine) and a natural with my brother and spent a year in and out of hospital due to problems down below because she had been stitched on a nerve. So I guess even natural births don't always go nice and smoothly. I'm definitely going to go for it now. 18 days and counting until my princess is here. Praying daily that she comes nice and big and healthy. Taken away from my mental health anyway, I can barely walk some days with the back and pelvic pain. I'm not sure my body could handle going 40 weeks or possibly over. I'm sure I'm doing the right thing for me. And when I had section with my son I never felt like i didn't bond Aswell with him because I had a section (something else someone suggested could make me bond less with my child because it wasn't a natural birth or what "God intended" I think were the words used ?? some ignorant people out there x