Did your baby go to special baby care after section at 38 weeks?

[Mummyspider27]

I was told today my baby would need to be born (via section) no later than 38 weeks. They said he might need to go to special baby care as section babies born at 38 weeks can have breathing difficulties with fluid on the lungs. I just wondered if anyone had any experience? Stories to share etc x

Request to have steroids that will reduce the chance of breathing issues greatly

I had my second at 37 weeks via section. Was given steroids and no issues at all. Early delivery was always likely as I had my first at 32 weeks due to pre eclampsia and IUGR and my second was IUGR as well. But other than being small all was fine.

They said at 38 weeks they are currently not giving steroids, as there is little evidence of it helping at that stage and it does reduce immunity in the baby which they don’t want to do during Covid, anything before 38 weeks and they will give steroids as the benefits at that point out weight the risk x

Very strange you were told that - 38 weeks is term.

Two of my children were born at 37 weeks, no question of needing any support. One was v CS.

Unless there's another issue you haven't mentioned?

What is the case is that CS babies are often mucous-y & a bit snuffly as they don't clear their lungs out as they do with a vaginal delivery.

@KatzP how much did they weigh? Did they need to go to special baby? X

Your second post makes sense about the steroids.

It's v unlikely baby will need extra care at 38 weeks. Good luck!

Mine were born at 37 weeks and 39 weeks by planned CS and neither needed to go to any sort of special care.

@EarringsandLipstick strange, I felt the same as 37 is term. If may have been a passing comment to cover themselves so they have covered all eventualities x

My DD had this. She was "grunting." I never knew it could happen. She was in SCBU for about a day and a half, never needed oxygen.

I felt bad for having a caesarean but I had chosen that as in my opinion it was the safest option having had an emergency section with DC1.

I had another section with DC3 who had no breathing trouble at all.

DD? Healthiest person you ever met. She is never ill.

Try not to worry, I expect baby will almost certainly be fine.

DD was born by EMCS at 37 weeks (she got stuck and was distressed).She was 7'10 and needed no help breathing or anything.

Thanks, that really reassuring. What weight were your babies? Trying to decide if I need to buy smaller clothes Then newborn? My daughter was 11 days late but 6lb 9oz so being monitored for growth this time. He seems bang on average, but also know that the growth scans can be wrong!! X

I had a c-section with my first at 38 weeks. He was less than 5lb but didn't need to go to the special care baby unit. He struggled to latch initially, but got there in the end...
Best wishes to you.

Born at 38wks and no special care for dc3.

I thought 38 wks was standard for ECS and therefore, in a routine pregnancy, special care would be unlikely...otherwise you'd hear more about it.

The reason for it is that the lungs don't get squashed like they do in a normal birth.

I was told that while it's bad to end up with a "distressed" baby, it is healthy to have a "stressed" baby which is what vaginally born babies are, due to the birth process.

Why are you having a caesarean?

Very few babies at C-section at 38 weeks go to scbu but all parents are told of the risk.
Is there an underlying reason for you to have a section that means your baby might need scbu?

I think that they say that as standard. I've had sections 39 weeks and 38+3 both were fine. I think it's just they have to legally give you all the info. Like they mention a small percentage of having to have womb removal or damage, etc etc....
I asume the bo later than 38 is due to some medical reason so I guess this will raise the chances of risk of special care will be required so they have to.tell you. Try not to worry x

I would think carefully about accepting the steroids. In years gone by, steroids were only given before 34 weeks. Then there was one study (which my consultant told me was dubious research) that changed practice to giving steroid in planned sections up until 39 weeks. My consultant told me clinical practice is likely to change back to nearer 34 weeks again.
I recently had a section at 38 weeks, did not have steroids and my baby had no breathing difficulties. My baby did end up in SCBU due to low blood sugars (I had borderline gestational diabetes). If I had had the steroids, they may also have made this issue worse as they have effects on blood sugar.
I was told the chances of needing SCBU for transient tachypnoea of the newborn (newborn breathing issues) was 2% at 39 weeks and 5% at 38 weeks.
You need to discuss all this with your consultant.
Good luck and enjoy your new baby.

DD was born via section at 38+2 weighing 6lb exactly and stayed with me on the ward, no special care needed. I think they may just be giving you a heads up about what could happen rather than what will necessarily happen.

No special care needed. She was 4lb so just large enough to be able to go home. (When my first was in special care that was one of the measures along with feeding holding on temp before she could go home).

At that time I was told planed cs before 39 weeks has steroids. But can see reasons not to right now if could weaken immunity.

Plenty of babies arrive on their own accord at 38 weeks so chances of an issue are likely to be rare. Just remember the Drs have to give you the risks but it’s best to ask chances to help you put into perspective.

Both my babies were born at 38 weeks and no need for SCBU. DC1 weighed 6lb 3, DC2 was 6lb 6.

They were both in tiny baby clothes for 3-4 weeks before they fit into newborn so you may want a few smaller sets if you can get them. Try Tesco.

Oh yes also they were both sections (first EMCS, second ELCS) and both spontaneous waters breaking at 38 weeks. I wasn't given steroids for either.

Initial reason for section was traumatic birth first time ending in EMCS.
Also under consultant care for previous small baby and IVF pregnancy.
Now have total placenta previa with potential of placenta accreta (been referred to specialist in fetal medicine) so c section is not an option... it is the only option!
A stressful afternoon with a lot of information given so trying to process it all x

My son was born by section 38+4, I had the steroid injections to help his lungs prior to the section. I was warned that as it’s earlier than they like to ideally do sections (mine was due to medical need) babies may have issues breathing or fluid on lungs.

My son did have a ‘grunt’ for about 24 hours which they kept an eye on but he wasn’t put into special care and was allowed to stay by my bed. If it hadn’t improved or had worsened they would have but his cleared up itself!

My daughter baby was born by c section at 37 weeks. No special care and 8lb 4oz.

Oh and to add he was 8lb 12oz and came out screaming so no issues there