C section at 38 weeks.

[LBNM19]

Has anyone else had a section at 38 weeks?

This is my 4th c section and I'm at risk of uterine rupture so my consultant decided it would be best to deliver at 38 weeks, which is on Monday. I'm booked in for steroids on Thursday and Friday this week. Has anyone else had steroids this far along?

Feeling very nervous now, my last baby was born at 28 weeks and it was a big emergency so it's made me so anxious this whole pregnancy.

Your 38 weeks now which is considered full term. I'm surprised you're even having steroids as they often don't give them for babies born after 37 weeks. But see it as a bonus! You're going to have a full term baby in your arms soon so try not to worry. My twins were prem so I know the worries but this is completely different and as I said your full term baby will be with you soon. Enjoy! x

I had DD be ELCS at 38 weeks - I think back then 38 weeks was the standard point at which they did ELCS. She was absolutely fine, if a little small (6lb). I'm surprised they are doing steroids so late as my understanding was the baby produces enough surfactant by that point that its lungs are mature enough to breathe at birth anyway.

Good luck, I hope all goes well. ELCS is much better than EMCS.

Thankyou both.

I no, I do feel it's unnecessary but they said that because he will come out unexpectedly he could have some respiratory distress. I'm under St George's in tooting an unsure if other NHS trusts do this to. I had steroids last time which I was obviously fine with as my son needed them.

My trust has just changed their guidelines on steroids. Used to be not after 37 as they thought lungs were developed enough, but very very recently (last month or so) they have changed to under 39 wks as it can have such an improvement on baby’s lungs and reduce NICU/SCBU admissions. Not sure you would qualify if you went into labour naturally post 37 weeks but as I am booked for caesarean at 37+1 they are giving me steroids, like you say it’s the unexpected aspect of delivery.