Planned c section

[babyt2020]

I have a few questions re planned c sections. I had a very traumatic birth in June last year, 15 hours of induced labour followed by a cat 1 section. I've just (shockingly) found out I'm 18 weeks pregnant! We had no idea as I'm on the mini pill! I would assume it would be a planned c section, given how quickly I've fallen pregnant again and the trauma of last time. How far along do they let you get before a c section, would it be around 38 weeks?

I've not had any pre natal care obviously as I've just found out so no chance to ask questions, our boy was 10.5lbs too so I'm hoping they'd do the section early!

@babyt2020 hi hun. Congrats on the surprise. Lol. I had natural with my son and planned c sec with my daughter. After they induced me she was in breach position and weighed around 9. Something so c sec was planned. They say baby can breath etc at 34/35 wks I think. I had mines around 36-38 cant remember as I had it for my daughter and she now 3yrs.
Was ur first child natural. What cat-1?

I had a very traumatic emergency c section with my first and they had initially booked me in for a planned c section at 39+5 but due to other complications I had a planned one at 37+1 and it was honestly an amazing experience compared to my first, so healing!

I had an emcs with my first (cat 2) and requested a planned csection from my first midwife appointment. Had a phone consultation with the the consultant at 28 weeks and it was booked at 36 weeks. There was a paperwork mix up as the midwife tried to book the date earlier but the consultant hadn’t put the correct bit of paper in my notes. It was booked for 39+1 and DD arrived at 38+4 via vbac as I changed my mind!

They don’t like to do sections before 39 weeks unless there are other problems. Babies born before 39 weeks by c section are at greater risk of breathing difficulties and an nicu stay than c section babies born after 39 weeks.

I am asking for a planned section after a cat 1 emergency. I have a consultant telephone appointment at 22 weeks and then a face to face at 36 weeks. I am told will be booked in for a elective 39 weeks.

Congratulations on your surprise!

Obstetrician here. Congratulations! You can absolutely request an elective caesarean this time given your previous traumatic emergency caesarean, but expect to have a chat about the pros and cons of c section vs vbac so you can make an informed choice. As per posts above, we wouldn’t book an elective caesarean in for before 39 weeks as there is an increased chance of babies having breathing problems and having to go to the neonatal unit, regardless of the size of the baby. However, if you were booked for a planned section and your waters broke or you went into labour early, we could always do the section for you then if needed.

If your not an early labor risk they go to 39 weeks to allow the lungs to fully develop. If they deliver earlier they give steroid injections to speed up development.

I had our twins at 38wk and was given 2 steroid injections in the run up to surgery.