bringing section forward

[Hopex3]

hi all,

I'm booked in for a c section next Tuesday at 39 weeks. I have suffered severe anxiety this whole pregnancy. most recently yesterday when we ended up in hospital for reduced movements and possible waters breaking (false alarm but have to be checked as breech presentation). I know a week does not sound long at all and we have another growth scan on Thursday but I'm starting to really suffer with panic attacks as I have not been helped with my anxiety. do you think there is anyway they would bring it forward say to this Friday (38+3) if I told them how much I was struggling and more so who would you even contact to go about doing this? is there any risk to baby coming the 4 days early. I'm not really sure what to do and whether or not to just try hold out the week!? just really struggling :(

thanks all x

Hey OP. I don't know anything about your medical questions, but I'm sorry to hear you're so anxious. Ring the midwives straight away to get advice from them I say. All the best to you and your baby

Full term is 37 weeks so although earlier, you'd not be 'early'. I had ELCS for breech & PPROM 11 days ago at 37+2 and DS is fine (but skinny but no other issues related to the gestation).

I'd try and contact head of midwifery in the first instance. They'll be able to put you on touch with the right person. Good luck!

They Probably won’t bring out forward as it is safer for your baby to be left inside as long as possible unless medical needs indicate otherwise ie baby not growing etc
Good luck though all will be well x

I have just messaged my midwife to see her opinion on it. of course, if there is a massive difference for baby health wise in waiting until bang on 39 weeks of course I will battle through and try to get to that date but this most recent episode of movement issues has seriously knocked the confidence I had started to build up beforehand and has triggered my panic attacks to start again. I just dont want to be selfish though if the health implications are greater to the baby. plus, I'm not sure how sympathetic doctors and consultants are to mental health vs physical health issues. as someone who has struggled with anxiety a lot I do think there should be more support as the battle I am currently going through in my own mind is so so hard but j will see if she replies. not sure if my midwife even works mondays I can only ever seem to get hold of her on a Friday. I just feel so guilty cos I know its not a physical medical reason x

OP, mental health IS just as important!!! The only reason I can think that might make them reluctant is shuffling schedules. Seriously, 4 days at this gestation is not the same as 4 days at say 35 weeks. Your baby needs you to be in good health and that includes mentally too. As I said in my first post, go straight to the head of midwifery as they will be better placed to advise than your community midwife.

it's been really tough and the last few weeks I had started doing really well again, had great movement every day was starting to feel a lot more relaxed and now this incident yesterday even tho everything was thankfully okay it really has just put me back and those horrible thoughts are starting to creep back in. probably doesnt help being on maternity leave and being on my own all day today after yesterday. would the head of midwives be the ones at triage? x

Every time you have reduced movements call the labour ward and insist on getting checked out. 3 episodes in a short period of time is usually the point at which they’ll consider moving up your section early.

thanks grumpy - I've actually had 8 in total over this whole pregnancy (anterior placenta and baby in awkward position which she is still in) however yesterday is the only one I've had since being full term the other times were all before 37 weeks. as luckily shes always been okay which I of course am not complaining about I do have a funny feeling they're not gonna be interested and think surely she can wait another 7 days. which really doesnt sound long and to people who dont have the anxiety etc. probably seems like nothing but to me it feels like a mountain when my anxious side rears its head on this level :( trying to give myself little goals in between, like next one is get to Thursdays growth scan x

Ok so keep a close eye and everytime you have any doubts from now on call them and ask them to monitor you. It’s okay to ask them to keep monitoring the baby - all midwives would rather do that than risk problems for either you or the baby

@Hopex3 there should be contact details on the hospital website.

Keep calling every time. I'm having my ELCS at 39 weeks and one of the reasons is reduced movements. I spoke to a consultant last Thursday who offered me induction last week or ELCS at exactly 39 weeks. As baby is measuring so big I said I'd rather wait for the section. They put me on additional monitoring. I was up on Saturday and again tomorrow and they made it very clear that if movements changed again then I was to go again.

There's a website op called CBT4Panic it's online it's free it's so good honestly have a look because your anxiety will only continue after you have had the baby it's best to get it sorted now because you do not have to live like this at all. X

thanks gumdrop, I'll have a look now - it's such a challenge to try get it under control. I tried counselling a few years ago for OCD as they said that was the one they wanted to get under control first. but that helped for a few months then crept back in as the anxiety hadnt been addressed :( I did mention it to my midwife quite a few times during this but for some reason nothing got provided for it x

I am sorry you are having this worry - it is so stressful and there are so many risks in pregnancy and birth etc. Completely get your worry.

Just wanted to say the reason they suggest to wait until 39 weeks for a section is because of the respiratory morbidity risk. It is significantly higher pre 39 weeks. At 37 weeks it is recorded at 12%

www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/gtg_45.pdf

But of course 4 days prior 39 weeks is not that far, every case is different too and anxiety from the mother has its own risks to baby too. That is why my Dr persuaded me to stay on my anxiety meds during my 3rd pregnancy