Hospital overbooked elective sections

[MerlinsBeard87]

I've been booked in for an elcs for Friday 20th for many weeks now. My hospital only schedules electives on Tuesdays and Fridays so my choice was either the 20th or 24th so obviously I was going to go for the 20th! I've got 2 other dc so didn't want to be in hospital on Xmas day, plus I haven't had an easy pregnancy so desperate to get the baby out ASAP.

Had a call at 7 tonight from the hospital saying they have accidentally booked in too many ladies for Friday and will I consider changing to the 24th? Luckily she didn't tell me I had to so of course I said no way! My childcare is all arranged for Friday and I wouldn't be able to have help on 24th. I'm so sick of being pregnant I've been counting down until Friday.

Now I can't calm down and I'm worried I'm not going to get my section on Friday after all. Hopefully one of the other ladies will agree to move (although who is going to want the 24th?) but I'm dreading my phone ringing back.

Have the hospital only just realised their mistake 4 days before? My antenatal care there has been a shambles, most of my appointments have been messed up one way or another. It really doesn't fill me with confidence!

If no one will move how will they decide who to bump off the list? Or if they try to squeeze extras in will we have poor care if staff are stretched? I dont want to wait around all day if I'm low down the list, and if an emergency comes in I might not be done that day anyway.

Dh has told me to chill out and it will be fine on Friday but I'm so mad at the hospital for worrying me so close to the event!

Oh no that sounds rubbish! It is really hard to say because as you've said, even if they weren't overbooked there is a chance emergencies will need to be prioritised, so I have no idea how they manage or decide when they are overbooked or why that would happen in the first place

So sorry I'm not helpful but I totally get why you re worried now. I wouldn't be pinning all my hopes on the 20th, just in case :(

They haven’t rung back...so assume it’s still all on for Friday

Good luck

What part of the country are you in?

Herefordshire. I'm about 45 mins away from the hospital which has been pretty annoying when I've turned up for appointments that haven't been properly booked. So glad this is my last baby.

Really hoping the phone won't ring back tomorrow. It probably won't make a difference but planning to get there nice and early Friday in the Hope I'll be put near the start of the list

😊 don’t answer....

OP just don't answer your phone! If they can't contact you they're less likely to rearrange your section. Particularly if you've already said no to changing day!

Just a word of warning, electives can be bumped on the day if there's an emergency.

This has happened to me a few years back. They will definitely prioritise any emergencies over electives. I was classed as an high priority, mine was still cancelled on the day. Best of luck.

You need to prepare that it may not happening that day anyway. My elective got bumped as they were short staffed. Or you could get bumped because of emergencies or any other common reason! - weather etc

I know a Christmas in hospital seems awful, but it's only one year. I was in over Christmas and it was lovely and quiet.

Good luck with it all and hopefully you get your baby on Friday

Thanks everyone. I know I'm not guaranteed to get it Friday anyway if there are lots of emergencies. Fingers crossed though. I know everyone else will be in the same boat hoping to be home with babies before Christmas.

That happens a lot I'm afraid. My high priority elective was meant to be on 2nd June in the morning and ds was born on the 3rd. Hope your section goes ahead on Friday.

Are you having the elective in Hereford? I’m finding out a date for my section tomorrow in Gloucester Royal and I’m terrified their going to book me in on the 24th!

Gosh, that does sound stressful for you. I hope you manage to get the slot you want but I guess it's a lesson learned for us all that you might not get the slot you are originally booked for. Mine is booked at the beginning of January so no pressing dates, but I, like you, have the date fixed In my mind so would also be disappointed. Let us know how you get on

I am booked in for the 30th when I will be 39 weeks and am also stressing out about this! My hospital have been so difficult to even get to this stage, trying to deter me at every appointment and trying to book me in for after my due date! I had a section last pregnancy and have known since the beginning this is what I want, however I don't feel supported in my choice or like I will be a priority. I understand that emergencies will of course, need to be done first but when you are anxious and emotional, it's really stressful. Crossing all that you get your surgery on time xxx

I don’t get why it’s so difficult for them to give a date either.

I have to have my DD as close to 37 weeks as possible but they don’t want me to go beyond due to some complications and she’s very small.

But twice now I’ve been to growth scans and told I’ll be getting the appointment date at those appointments and never have, they always say I’ll get a date at the next one.

Well I’ve got another scan today where I’ve been told they’ll give me a date. Not sure whether to be excited or nervous or none and not get my hopes up that I can finally start counting down days rather than be in the unknown.

35+4 today so they can’t leave me hanging on much longer surely?!

I don’t get why it’s so difficult for them to give a date either.

Staff shortages and emergencies, they will leave things as ling as possible

Electives can get added at short notice,for example some one near their due date with breach presentation,very large baby ,first signs of eclampsia.
This happens all year round not just Christmas as these services have the same staffing/theatre availability all year.

Found out how true PP post is.

Went for my weekly growth scan today. They originally had my c section booked for 31st December but now I’m going in this Thursday. I’ll only be 36 weeks, hoping baba will be home for Christmas!