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Original poster

C-section planned, what happens if you go into labour before section date?

21 replies

Klambert30 · 18/03/2007 20:11

I have had a previous c-section and originally wanted a VBAC homebirth but for various reasons decided to go for another c-section. What happens if I go into labour before the c-section date?

OP posts:
mummytosteven · 18/03/2007 20:13

I think you go to the labour ward asap, and end up having one as an emergency - i.e. when you can be fitted in on the list that day, depending on what other sections might have higher medical priority

lulumama · 18/03/2007 20:13

call labour ward and get to the hospital ASAP...

just out of pure nosiness, why hace you decided to go for an elective..big jump from a HVBAC..... no need to answer if you don't want ...

Original poster
Klambert30 · 18/03/2007 20:23

Thanks lulumama. I saw the consultant and went into wimp mode, he was very loud, disapproving and scary which at first made me very angry and then on the same day I came home and saw a message and a link about scar rupture on here. I sat and read,and cried about, all the stories about scar rupture and looked at all the pictures of babies that had died due to rupturing and although its rare, it was awful looking at this whole site devoted to scar rupture. Also I thought it would be easier for my partner to sort time off and for child care to be sorted and I was worried about it being a baking hot June!!!

OP posts:
PestoMonster · 18/03/2007 20:28

I had booked an elective C-section with dd2 as advised my my consultant, for medical reasons. I was scared I would go into labour before the c-section date, but they told me if that happened I was to go straight in and they would then do an emergency section instead. Fortunately, I didn't and DD2 was delivered safely on the planned date.

lulumama · 18/03/2007 20:29

sweetheart....sorry you got so scared

yes, rupture is a real and possibly fatal risk...but it is rare..really rare...

caesarean site... has great info re VBAC, HVBAC and planned c.s

might be worth a look....

look, i had a VBAC, and as oyu know ,it is a topic close to my heart...at the end of the day, it is your decision, but i would hate to think you went for a c.s due to being frightened and not having a balanced view of the odds

NICE guidelines are clear that a trial of labour should be offered and vaginal birth is preferable where possible

it is hard , when you are faced with a consultant, who presents you with the 'your baby is at risk of dying if you do this' , as you cannot make an informed decision about it....

i asked my obs, how many ruptures he had seen, and he went quiet.....it is a risk, it is rare and it is rare that a uterus would rupture without any warning

don;t want to look like i am talking you into anything, or telling you to ignore the risk, but if presented in a more balanced manner , maybe you would have made a different decision?

NotQuiteCockney · 18/03/2007 20:29

If this happens, you can play it by ear. You can say 'I want my section' and they'll give you one, or you can see how it goes.

I wanted a VBAC with DS2, but had a section booked for 41+3 or something (they wouldn't let me go over by much, as DS1 was 9lb6oz, even though I knew DS2 was smaller). I didn't go into labour, but my waters broke, there was meconium, and DS2's giant head just wouldn't engage, so we went in, and they offered induction ( - it's not advised for a VBAC). We just had a relaxed section. It was good - DS2 was absolutely ready to come out, and if they're coming out by the sun roof, better to let them get as big as possible first, they'll feed less often, etc etc.

uptomyeyes · 18/03/2007 20:40

Hi,

3 elective c-sec's. All babies transverse so no chance of a vaginal birth.

3rd section booked for 39 weeks but waters broke at 36 weeks, called labour ward and they called me in immediately. I was assessed and had a c-section next day. All calm no panic, they kept me on the labour ward, monitored me over night - I was having very mild erratic contractions but all went well.

If you went into labour early and wanted to give a vaginal birth a go, I'm sure you would be able to as long as everything was progressing as it should. If you feel unhappy that you have been pushed into a planned section go back to the consultant and say that you've changed your mind.

octopussyintummy · 18/03/2007 20:45

Can I just ask - how do they know if your scar is about to rupture? I am about to embark in vbac no.2 and was monitored constantly with vbac1 - can they predict it happening or just wait until baby shows signs of distress?

Klambert - I would go straight in

NotQuiteCockney · 18/03/2007 20:50

I was told that you get pain on the scar before rupture. I'd think that a second VBAC wasn't very risky, as the scar has already been through labour, and is old and unlikely to be stiff.

lulumama · 18/03/2007 21:10

Mary Cronk's thoughts re scar rupture

eidsvold · 18/03/2007 21:12

I am about to have my third section on Friday and I was told if I went into labour early ( although I am 38 weeks) I should go into the birth suite and I will have an emergency section.

However I think as someone else said - it is up to you - if you feel you can cope with a VBAC - why not see how you go before you rush in for an emergency section.

octopussyintummy · 18/03/2007 21:15

Thanks lulumama - lots of monitoring then! I found that really difficult to read btw - must be my pg brain.

pucca · 18/03/2007 21:18

This happened to me in Aug last year, i was booked in for 11th Aug for a section, but i ended up going into labour on the 6th Aug, the section was done within 3 hrs of me going to labour ward.

hth

lulumama · 18/03/2007 21:22

octopus......CFM does not necessarily change the outcome, and as the article says, good close observation by a midwife can be key...intermittent monitoring can be just as effective...the clues to possible rupture do not just lie in the baby;s heart rate

FWIW, if i had another baby, (which I AM NOT!! ), i would have a HVBAC , without a moment;s hesitation...

octopussyintummy · 18/03/2007 21:24

I was hoping to use water, birth ball etc rather than being flat on back and they could monitor me like once an hour or two - can they just use the hand held thing or will they need to do a full monitor - have history of babys heartrate dropping.

octopussyintummy · 18/03/2007 21:38

I also meant to say my sister had an elective section after an emergency one - under no circumstances was she to go into labour - long terrible story so don;t ask - they booked her in for 38 weeks and she spent from 35 weeks worrying about it - but all went well in the end and it all went great She thinks I'm completely bonkers for having a vbac again!

lulumama · 18/03/2007 21:43

sounds like a good plan ! water is great for a VBAC, supports the uterus

octopussyintummy · 18/03/2007 21:46

will pack my goggles

lulumama · 18/03/2007 21:48
Grin
Loulee · 19/03/2007 17:03

Pucca - same happened to me in Aug 2 years ago! I went into labour the night before i was due to have my section - had section within 3 hours of going into to hosp. - no probs.

Hayley17052014 · 27/02/2021 19:16

My 1st was emergency section placenta abruptness 32 wk. My 2nd was induced due to reduced movements at 36 wks. Started me off broke waters. I kept telling them there was heavy ripping like pain in section scar area. Ignored me. Ended up baby wudnt move and had another section. While in recovery surgeon came to me and said of we had waited another 10 mins or so I would have bled out,as my inner scar had already started to tear! So now awaiting my 3rd section for obvious medical reasons. I'm 2 weeks away but have been told if go in to labour go straight to nearest hospital and it will be classed as emergency section .

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