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Pregnancy

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Original poster

What happens if I go into labour before c-section date?

26 replies

SingingWren · 11/07/2020 14:45

I have a c-section booked for late next week, I'm increasingly becoming worried about what happens if I go into labour either in the middle of the night or on a weekend?
This is probably a stupid question, but say I went to hospital in the middle of the night on a Sunday and was obviously in labour, would I still get my c-section? How long do they leave you in labour before giving you your c-section?
Would I have to be at a certain dilation before they would do it?

I had a very traumatic first labour with a third degree tear, and am just feeling a bit anxious about going into labour early and for some reason not being able to have my c-section.

Would love to hear from people who are knowledgeable on the process

OP posts:

Letmegetthisrightasawoman · 11/07/2020 14:50

As far as I'm aware, they would assess you and decide whether it's safer to do a section or to deliver vaginally (that's how it works if you're scheduled to have an ELCS for a breech baby). I have no experience though, so hopefully someone else will be along with advice shortly. Could you call your midwife to ask about it?

Flowerpot26 · 11/07/2020 14:55

Following as I am in the same situation, my first was awful complicated and took a long time to recover, and he was a week early, and midwife says I can have a section but won't be till 40 weeks. So what if I go early?
I gather unless any problems it will be a vaginal birth which I'd dread due to my previous experience, good luck and congratulations!!

ForeverBubblegum · 11/07/2020 15:09

They'd do the c-section. It would be classed as a low grade emergency, so would be before people who have a ELSC booked, but lower priority then ceases where mother / baby were in immediate danger. You would wait in hospital until they could fit you in (could be a few hours), during which time they would monitor you and baby, and if the need arises would 'upgrade' to class one emergency, and operate immediately. (Likelihood of this depends on why you are booked in for ELCS).

If you didn't get to the hospital until late on in labour, or have an unusually long wait, it could get to the point where it's safer to deliver virginaly (depending on other risk factors). This is very unlikely though, and will be avoided if at all possible.

Original poster

SingingWren · 11/07/2020 15:12

@ForeverBubblegum That is very reassuring thank you. And it doesn't matter if you were to need the csection in the middle of the night??

OP posts:

treeeeemendous · 11/07/2020 15:20

I went into labour in the middle of the night before my elective section. I called them as soon as the contractions started and they told me to go in. They monitored me and the emergencies went first but I became first on the list of electives. In the end it was around 11am. I am a wimp when it comes to pain so they let me have gas and air 😁 I was very worried that they would suggest a "natural" birth but they didn't.

Dyra · 11/07/2020 15:23

No, there are obstetric surgery teams on all night. And as you'd be contracting, you'd technically be having an emergency caesarean section. But as @ForeverBubblegum said, you'd be a low priority. They'd want to be sure there's no-one around who might need to jump the queue before bringing you in.

Fatted · 11/07/2020 15:25

You ring the hospital, tell them you are in labour and they will tell you what to do. Realistically, if it's the middle of the night and you're only in the early stages of labour, they may ask you to wait until the morning.

scrivette · 11/07/2020 15:26

It happened to me, DD was a footling breech and my previous deliveries were very fast.
I phoned the hospital when my waters broke (first sign of labour) and they had a room prepared for me when I got there 10 minutes later.

Within 20 minutes of arriving at the hospital I was in the theatre where they did the C Section.

I am sure it happens often.

ForeverBubblegum · 11/07/2020 15:31

They will have a team available for emergency sections anytime day or night (they have to be ready incase a baby is in distress during labour). Wait time could be slightly longer, depending on what else is happening that night, but they'll do you as soon as possible.

sel2223 · 11/07/2020 15:33

My consultant just had this discussion with me last week.

It was agreed that if I go into natural labour prior to my ELCS, I'm to go to the hospital ASAP and, if I'm less than 8cm dilated, they will still perform the c-section as planned.

If over 8cm, it can still be done but there are more risks attached so I will decide on the day whether to try and proceed with a vaginal birth or go straight for the section (in consultation with the on duty obstetrician).

This was written up in my notes and they sent me a letter confirming my wishes in writing as well.

Echobelly · 11/07/2020 15:34

I went into labout literally 18 hours before my second c-section was due - after I'd had my final appointments the day before. End result - 'emergency' c-section at 2am rather than planned one at 10am! It was fine.

Original poster

SingingWren · 11/07/2020 16:41

Oh gosh, this os really reassuring thank you all! I had got it in my head that because it's an elective, I would only be able to have one during the day and the night time/weekends were for emergencies only. Was worried I'd be told I must deliver naturally. So this is a relief!

OP posts:

SleepyHeid · 11/07/2020 16:56

This happened to me a month ago today!

Had an ELCS booked for my due date but went into spontaneous labour in the middle of the night, 5 days early. I called triage and they told me to come in. They explained that they prefer to do sections during 'daylight hours' as there are more staff about so would send me up to the ward for a couple of hours. However, after examining me they found that I was already 3cm dilated so prepped me for theatre there and then and I had my section half an hour later.

There was no question that I wouldn't get a section, it was just a case of when. The only thing they did say was, if I got to 10cm dilated then it would be safer to deliver vaginally as the baby would be so far down the birth canal that it would be riskier to try and pull them back out. I was examined again in theatre and was only at 4cm so no issues.

If you do go into labour early, get yourself to hospital ASAP. From my waters breaking to baby being delivered it was only 3 and a half hours so things can progress quickly (and this was my first) x

sohypnotic · 11/07/2020 17:25

My waters went at 4am, 2 days before my ELCS date (maternal request - not medical). There was blood in the them, and I had tested positive for Strep B, so I went into hospital straight away. I went on antibiotics and had monitoring. I wasn't having contractions, just slight cramping. So they decided to wait to shift change and I was first on the list bar any emergencies. It was fine, is was technically classed as an EMCS - but it was still very calm.

Letmegetthisrightasawoman · 11/07/2020 18:03

A bit off-topic, but I'm surprised people were offered ELCS on their due date, as I thought it's safest to do them at 39 weeks? Might be wrong though!

Bobbybobbins · 11/07/2020 18:07

I was 40+3 and due to have an ELCS when I went into early labour. They got me into hospital straightaway and monitored me overnight. I then had a CS the next day and all was well.

The funny thing was I got 2/3 private number phone calls while I was being monitored - it was the hospital ringing me to book me in for my ELCS - I had to tell them I was already here!

Bobbybobbins · 11/07/2020 18:08

@Letmegetthisrightasawoman

You're right. I was supposed to be at 39 weeks but the hospital was so busy and I was low risk so had to wait.

SleepyHeid · 11/07/2020 18:23

@Letmegetthisrightasawoman my section was at maternal request. There were no medical issues and my pregnancy was deemed low risk. It was originally booked for when I was 39+6 but they pushed it back a day (DS had other ideas).

StarsOnAMat · 11/07/2020 19:21

I was due to have a c section at 39+6. I went into labour in the middle of the night at 38+6. Phoned as soon as I realised I was in labour and told to come in. However, by the time I got there (forty mins by the time DH came home from work and we drove over), the only surgical team on had taken an emergency to theatre. I gave birth an hour after arriving, before the surgeon had a chance to come back to me. I was only about three and a half hours from first niggle to baby being born. At the end of the day, they should try and accommodate you wanting a c section but it depends what’s going on at the time you turn up and how far gone you are.

Roomba · 11/07/2020 19:28

I was told to call them ASAP if I went into labour before my booked c section date. My consultant said they'd do their utmost to ensure I got fitted in for a section ASAP if that happened, unless it was literally too late. He emphasised to phone as soon as possible, even if I was unsure whether I was in labour, to avoid that scenario (I had a C section by preference, there wasn't a big risk that meant I couldn't have the baby vaginally btw).

Fandanglethat · 11/07/2020 19:37

Happened to me.

C section booked for 39+1. Waters broke and labour started at 37+4 (at midnight). C section was maternal request but baby also happened to be breech. Went to hospital immediately as labour started. Was assessed at 2am and triaged and sent up to the antenatal ward. Was told i'd be first in n the list for the morning unless labour progressed but they'd discuss delivery options with me in the morning. DH was sent home and I was advised to sleep (Dr described my contractions as "uterine activity" and said they weren't real labour.

5am, labour is progressing very quickly. Midwife is getting concerned and asked Dr to examine me, but dr was doing a forceps delivery. Waited 30 minutes, decided they could wait no longer, midwife examined me to find I was 10m and DD had a foot out. I was rushed to the pre theatre room where the Dr met us, also examined me, tried to pursuade me to have a vaginal delivery. Up until that point I'd been very calm, very quite. When she said that I very very firm that I would be having a c section. She agreed and I was rushed to theatre. DD was born 12 minutes later.

It was absolutely amazing!

So basically, you'll be assessed, they try and discuss birth options with you but if you know you want a c section, just be firm and keep repeating that.

Missh07 · 11/07/2020 20:03

This happened to me 5 months back 5 weeks before my due date so obviously before I reached my planned c-section date. I went into hospital at around 11am and baby was born by "emergency" c section by 2:45 that afternoon. Think it was just a case of waiting for the anesthetist to be available.

Ers77 · 11/07/2020 20:21

I had this two months ago. Section planned for 39 weeks (maternal request but also breech) and I went into spontaneous labour overnight 3 days before. I went straight to triage as my previous labour had progressed quickly - they said they preferred electives to wait until morning, but when they checked I was almost fully dilated so I was taken straight to theatre and she was out within 90 minutes of arriving. The surgeon did double check I still wanted the section and while we were waiting for the full team to assemble said, "whatever you do, don't push", as the baby was pretty low!

Letmegetthisrightasawoman · 11/07/2020 21:53

Thanks for clarifying. DS was born at 38+4 by ELCS (breech) and had a lot of issues. I am determined not to have a section a day before 39 weeks if I need/ want another one. It's good to know that there's no strict cut off point at 39 weeks, as I'd prefer to wait as long as possible.

DinoMamasaurus · 11/07/2020 22:07

My story is probably going to be only slightly reassuring but fwiw. I went into labour on the day of my planned section. Like literally I was all fasted etc. Woke up an hour before the alarm was set and it was all go! It was really fast and went they checked me on arrival at the hospital I remember them saying “oh there’s the head!” Even so they still asked me if I wanted the c section (that’s the reassuring part!) I think if you are set on it and it’s your birth plan you will get it unless the baby is literally being born already and it wouldn’t be possible/safe to do it.

I did go for a VBAC and all was absolutely fine. I just remember thinking at the time they would have had to knock me out to do a c section as I just knew I could not have sat for the spinal and I really didn’t want to have a GA. It was super fast and as much as it was quite a surprise on the day it was all good.

My first baby was an EMCS in the middle of the night. There was a whole amazing team on deck to do the surgery in the small hours and they were awesome.

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