When is an elective caesarean normally performed?

[Hopeitwontbebig]

Is it 39 weeks?

I had dd by section at 38 weeks (breech baby)- Scottish hospital 9 years ago

Ds was born by section at 39 & 2 by section - English hospital nearly 4 years ago

Yes, I had to go into hospital and wait for 10 days until 39 wks for my 3rd section.

Had 2 electives and both done at 39 weeks.

Like to leave as long as possible without running risk of going into labour.

Is it your first? Electives are a doddle don't worry and enjoy.

where i live you see your consultant at 34 weeks and they set a date or refer you back two weeks later to set a date if unsure first time round... both of my friends who had electives had them at 39 weeks too.

How does one get an 'elective' section anyway? I had an emergency section after 20 hours labour, next time I want an elective. Do I have to pay, bribe or fight for one?

Saffymum I had em section with DD & have been given the option of choosing one this time if I want, no questions asked & no real pressure either way. TBH I think consultant is more pro vbac & m/ws the other way. Most of the m/ws I've seen have all just assumed I'd go for another section, 'spose it's much easier for them in the short term, altho' they still have to help you more than someone whose had a normal birth & you're in longer.
I'm undecided as yet & as there are medical reasons why I may have to have one the choice may be taken out of my hands but we'll see.
I was told prob about 10 days before EDD but I had a very short menstrual cycle so that may be why as risk of going into labour earlier is a bit higher.

Thanks for responses.

At the moment by baby is breech, I'm 34+3. I'm having a scan in two weeks to see if baby turns, but also to see size of baby.

I gave birth vaginally with my other two babies, but TBH after having DS2 I had terrible problems with my bladder which lasted for approx 4/5 years. My symptoms were constantly busting for a wee, and NEVER getting any relief when I went. It was a very miserable time in my life. My DH and I (at the worst time) didn't have sex for 6 months because of it. It was all v depressing. I do tend to have rather big babies, DS1 was 10lb 10oz and DS2 was 10lb 4oz. The problems with my bladder started not long after having DS2. I ended up - over the course of 4 years - having two laparoscopies, two cystoscopies and they even put me on Zoladex (pseudo menopause) for 6 months because they thought I might have mild endometriosis.

I guess what I am saying is, I am ABSOLUTELY PETRIFIED of going through all that again, although all the consultants I saw never 'officially' connected my problem to giving birth to a big baby . I have too much to be dealing with in my life at the moment as it is, without my health suffering too.

SOOOOOO, if the scan shows in two weeks that bubba has turned cephalic, I think I will still ask for a caesarean.

My other fear, having had big babies, and now living with the reality of someone with a Brachial Plexus Injury (DH) I am scared that giving birth to another big baby could result in the baby also suffering a brachial plexus injury. I'd never heard of such an injury until my DH suffered it in November.

I really would like to get some opinions please on all this. Am I being reasonable in wanting to go down the c section route?

Thanks, saffymum

Hi Fio, there is that to it. I have been agonising over the recovery period for a c section. The kids are that bit older, so fairly self sufficient. DH has had a bad run of things recently, mainly because of having 3 operations in 6 weeks and suffering from wound infections. We're PRAYING that the wound from his latest op heals properly, he's on antibiotics again because it was looking a bit mucky on Monday, but is looking a lot better now. SOrry I'm waffling.

I have been going over and over this in my head. I think the best plan for us, is if I stay in hospital as long as possible (and as long as I can stand!), so that I get help with someone handing me the baby and establishing b/feeding, then my dear Step Mum will come and stay for 5 days, then DH will take a week or two off. SUrely, by then, I will be sufficiently recovered to take some of the load from DH?

The main things he needs me for are dressing changes and to do his physio twice a day. But he has been managing quite well doing a lot of it himself these past two days, because I've got a stupid stiff neck at the moment.

My plan is (over the next few weeks) to completely stock up the freezer with home cooked meals that just need sticking in the oven. DH is unable to prepare meals, we'd end up eating nothing but ready meals otherwise, gag. But he is able to put things in the oven one handed.

PS, I know I'm being daft thinking this, but if I do opt for a c section, I feel like I'm cheating somehow. Tell me off.

ps, yes I'm seeing my consultant 2 weeks today.

PPS, do you think I will have difficulty convincing my consultant?

Thanks FioFio, appreciate your advice muchly. x And yes, it is hard to believe we're actually doing this again isn't it!! You've a similar age gap to mine haven't you?

I must be completely mad, this is the only one we actually planned! Wasn't expecting it to happen so quickly, I went through the first few months in a WTF have I done daze! It's all good.

Hi HIWBB! Yes, your consultant should take you seriously. If they don't agree to a C-section for you then it's their legal responsibility to find someone who will C-section you - check out www.csections.org/rights.php for more info. And of course you're not cheating - consider yourself told off I think you'll be ok after that time - I was looking after DD by myself with no problems after 3 weeks.

Thanks Tink and thanks for the telling off , I needed that! x x x

hopeit wontbebig.
explain those exact reasons to your consultant, are you seing him after your scan. i did not have any written proof that my last birth was bad as it was mostly mental and scarring afterwards. but i explained how i felt and he was great and refered me there, so i'm just waiting for my date which i get in two weeks.
he told me it was my health and at end of day as long as he agrees its my decision as we know our own bodies, so might be worth speaking to him

my sister due oct 31st, but shes having an elective c section on oct 8th, at 37 weeks!! p.s big baby!

dd1 breech elective section at 39+3
dd2 transverse+bleeding so elective section bought forward to 38+3

Hi Hopeitwontbebig i am really interested to read all this because i am feeling like you, my last baby was 10lb 12 and it was fairly hairy at the end of labour and i think my dh has only just recovered nearly 6 years on. i like the idea of an elective cs and i totally understand why you would wish to go down that route. i had to have my stiches redone, i felt mutilated and horrible for ages, what happened to you sounds much worse. there is no way that you are cheating, hope this helps!!

hotchoc