What if you go into labour before planned c section date

[JKD1982]

Hello ladies

Sorry I am having a freak out. 35 weeks pregnant and not due to see my consultant for another 2 weeks due to appointment timings. I have an elective c section booked for 5th June. What if I go into labour earlier than that? What do you do? I assume as soon as you feel contractions or water breaking you just go straight to hospital?

It’s my first so I’m a bit unsure. What are the signs of them arriving early? Is there something I can look out for in the day’s leading up or can it just happen?

Thank you for the advice

Hi OP. This happened to me with both my boys!

First time my waters broke - phoned maternity triage (number will be in your notes) and they told me to head in. They were able to take me in for section straight away but I had eaten so had to wait a few hours. Baby was born

Second time I started with contractions. Phoned and they said come in - they kept me fasted all day in the hope that they would fit me in. They kept checking if I had dilated and did offer me a natural but I declined. I hadn't dilated at all so at one point they did say they didn't want to operate early

Oops pressed send

They didn't want to operate early unnecessarily which had me really upset - I had contractions and it wasn't my fault there wasn't any dilation. Anyway they said they wanted to keep me in overnight and monitor. Next morning I was ready to kick up a fuss but when a doctor came round (one I hadn't met before) and asked to check if I had dilated, I said there wasn't any point in checking as I probably wouldn't have done. I think I got a bit upset - she was lovely though and said I would definitely have the section that day but she needed to know how to prioritise me. They examined me and there was no dilation but when they put me on the monitor, baby's heart rate was v low so they rushed me in straight away.

So overall one very positive and one not so positive experience. The actual sections were fine though.

My advice would be that if you do go into labour earlier then be firm (if you still want a section)

Good luck!

It will depend when you go into labour and what your reasons are for the section. I was due to have ELCS following a third degree tear with my first. Waters broke at 36 weeks, went in and was told as there was no medical need for the ELCS that they wouldn't do it before 37 weeks. Contractions started later that day and DC2 was born vaginally. If the ELCS had been for a breach baby then they would have done it as soon as my water broke, but because there was no risk to the baby for a vaginal delivery a c section pre 37 weeks was deemed too risky.

Similar situation here to @inthethickofit19 - my waters broke at 11pm 38+1 so I went into the delivery suite and was asked if I still wanted my section (hell yes) and they said as I wasn’t contracting they’d keep an eye on me and put me first on the list the next morning. Kept an eye on me and baby overnight and I was taken down to theatre first thing and she was born about 8.30am. There was no pressure for a natural birth, they literally asked me if I still wanted them to operate, I said yes and they shoved some surgical stockings on me and told me to wait until morning.

It depends on why the section was planned. If it's because your baby won't survive labour, you'll have an emergency section. Promptly. If it's less urgent, e.g. your preference after a previous c-section, it'll depend on space in theatre and how fast you labour.

This happened to me - my waters broke and DH drove me the 30 miles to the hospital and I had an 'emergency' CS. 5 weeks earlier than planned. Just as a bit of an aside - the consultant who did my CS made such a stupendous job of stitching me up I had nurses continually coming in to have a look at my scar. it is now completely invisible.

Just one extra bit of advice on top of what's already been said - if you think anything might be happening that would mean having your CS early, don't eat anything! Unless it's a life-threatening emergency or you're labouring too quickly to wait, most anaesthetists will want to wait 6 hours after any food (or drinks that aren't clear fluids) for safety. Water or clear isotonic drinks are fine.

Thank you so so much for all the info. Massively appreciated

I should've said my first was breech

Good luck op! Exciting times!