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Original poster

Help...csection at 38 weeks, is it ok?

19 replies

pinkstar01 · 25/12/2019 23:53

Tonight I went in for the 3rd time with reduced movements, I'm 37+5 and baby was very quite initially and then picked up a bit. The doctor did a scan and my placenta seems fine too. I have an ELCS booked for 7th Jan but they've told me it's upto me if I want him out now, however have told me it's quite risky still before 39 weeks due to the lungs not being fully ready. They've told me I need steroid injections 12 hours apart and just generally made me worried that him coming out now is very risky.

Has anyone had a non emergency section at 38 weeks? How was baby?

OP posts:
kazza446 · 25/12/2019 23:55

Yes had my daughter at 38 weeks. She weighed 5lb 6oz and was fit and healthy. We had a little bit of jaundice at first but other than that nothing. She’s now 12 year old. Good luck!

Original poster
pinkstar01 · 25/12/2019 23:58

Thank you @kazza446 that's good to hear, I have decided to proceed with it and been admitted...got my first steroid injection (wow that was painful!)
I just was a bit surprised at how much they were trying to scare me, because the last doctor was ready to take him out yesterday and we decided to wait and see.

Baby was still not moving like his usual self so we came in tonight thinking they would take it seriously and get him out, however they have left it as our decision

OP posts:
fartingsparkles · 26/12/2019 00:00

I had a elcs at 38 weeks with dc2. Had growth scans throughout pregnancy due to dc2 being only little at birth, and dc2 was going the same way. (And ended up with pre eclampsia diagnosis when I went in for my pre op.) Had the steroid injections and all was fine. No need for scbu and we were out and home the following evening.

Good luck op x

VeryMerryChristmas · 26/12/2019 00:00

I had my DD at 37+2 by c-section. I had obstetric cholestasis and had a few episodes of reduced movement. Section was originally booked for 38+5, but they offered me the earlier date when I ended up back in hospital with reduced movements.

I wasn’t offered steroid injections as I was told 37 weeks is technically full term. DD was born perfectly healthy.

withgraceinmyheart · 26/12/2019 00:01

I was due a section at 39 weeks but they offered to pull it forward a week. I decided not to since placenta was fine etc.

Can you ask for regular monitoring instead?

StargazyDrifter · 26/12/2019 00:02

We had this. Section had to be brought forward for (my) medical reasons and we had that whole dilemma of letting my condition get a lot worse vs lungs/general smallness. We did it at 38 weeks in the end, with steroids, and had no adverse effects; baby in rude health all round, no lung problems, all went very smoothly. I hope it all goes well for you.

Disneymum1993 · 26/12/2019 00:04

I had my 3rd at 38 weeks he was 9lb 4oz born by c section and only in hospital 24 hours no steroids required x

Floralnomad · 26/12/2019 00:04

20 yrs ago when I had my ELCS they were done routinely at 38 weeks , my dd was fine as were all the other babies that I knew about . Best wishes OP .

Fatted · 26/12/2019 00:08

I had my youngest by elective c-section at 38 weeks because of pre-eclampsia. I was meant to have him at 39+5 weeks. For all he was 'elective', I wasn't really given much choice. My BP wasn't coming down and the hospital didn't want to wait for me to have him.

He was 8.5lbs when he was born. He did need oxygen when he came out because he wasn't crying. I had him Friday afternoon and got sent home Monday afternoon. I only stayed the extra day because I needed pain relief still. Four and a half years on, he is absolutely fine.

abitoflight · 26/12/2019 00:11

Had 2 by planned CS, 38 weeks. 21 and 17 now. All good. No steroid injections given or offered but things have obviously moved on

BeeFarseer · 26/12/2019 00:15

I had my youngest at 38 weeks, planned csection due to gestational diabetes. I had the steroid injections. Everything was fine, my DS had a touch of jaundice but that was sorted very quickly. Apart from that, we were both absolutely fine.

I hope all these stories are helping to reassure you.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 26/12/2019 00:15

Odd because lungs develop by 32 weeks iirc. Confused The pp who said babies were routinely delivered at 38 weeks is right.

anomoony · 26/12/2019 00:22

Had my firstborn at 37+6 by c-section, he was 8.3 lbs and didn't need any help.

georgialondon · 26/12/2019 00:25

Baby's full term at 37 weeks. It will be fine Smile

rosieposies · 26/12/2019 00:29

Has my daughter at 38 weeks by c section, she was 7lb15 and perfectly healthy

Original poster
pinkstar01 · 26/12/2019 00:29

Thank you everyone! I'm feeling a lot more reassured, initially I wasn't worried at all because my DC1 was an emcs at 34 weeks due to PPROM and he didn't even need any NICU time at all so I figured this time I've made it to 38 weeks so shouldn't be a problem.

I'll update this thread with any news! :)

OP posts:
rosieposies · 26/12/2019 00:30

*had

kazza446 · 26/12/2019 11:33

Good luck pinkstar01! They always have to present the worse case scenario! I think it was routine to deliver at 38 weeks by section when my ds was born 11 years ago. The guidance changed just over 6 years ago when my 4th baby was delivered by section. It’s only guidance though and they will disregard guidance if it’s in the best interests of mum and baby.

StargazyDrifter · 05/01/2020 23:40

All best wishes to you, pinkstar.

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