What’s the earliest they’d do a planned section?

[EXA1912]

Would they do one at 37weeks? I’ve had 3 sections already and was advised my scar was really thin at my youngest daughters birth a year ago despite her being my smallest baby and risks of a 4th....unexpectedly pregnant and freaking out a bit even though it’s still early days. Obviously if I went into labour naturally before 37weeks there’s no way they’d not section me there and then with the scar rupture risk but what about a planned section, could I request 37weeks due to it being a 4th and having a thin scar and previous 98th centile babies? My previous sections....emergency 41+5 (9lb 5oz)... elective 39 +0 (9lb 10oz) and elective 39+1 (7lb 11oz)....help me 😫

I'm not too sure about this but it's definitely something you can discuss with your hospital and midwife. I know they don't typically like to do it before the 39 week mark but surely they should make an exception if there's risks. Especially if your midwife considers you high risk or something?

I don't think there is one straight answer. Different doctors will decide different things based on your circumstances, previous labour/s, age, etc.
Most probably they would wait and see and make a decision quite late on as thereafter be more risk factors to consider by then. I'm sure your feelings & reasoning would also be taken into account.
Will you have a consultant appointment fairly early on in your pregnancy so you can ask then what the process might be?

Hi @EXA1912 I think you’d need to discuss with your consultant.

I’ve had 3 previous sections and was told that my third was very tricky. It took them a long time to get to the baby through scar tissue and there were major worries they’d cut into my bladder (thankfully they hadn’t).

I’m now 17 weeks pregnant with number 4 and have been told they will section at between 38 and 39 weeks.

My previous sections were done at 38+2.

My midwife explained they don’t like to do sections before 39 weeks but mine will likely be done slightly earlier nearer to 38.

Having said that it might change nearer the time. But like you if I go into Labour before hand I will taken straight for section regardless.

X

@Moominmiss I’m glad I’m not in this on my own....I also had complications with bladder at my last section it was completely stuck to my uterus. They had said if I went on to have another due to my scar being so thin it would be done at 38weeks and by a consultant but I’m a panicker and I know if this pregnancy all goes ok and I make it to term I’ll be an anxious mess everyday 😫 I’d planned to discuss the risks of another pregnancy with a consultant before actually getting pregnant but looks like it wasn’t meant to be 🤦🏼‍♀️ Xx

Due to my previous stillbirth my obstetrician said 37 weeks for me (if I wanted to)

@EXA1912 my gp is wanting me to be seen fairly soon for a scan to check location of pregnancy due to being high risk so I guess yeah I can discuss then all being well with scan x

@Dsteele thanks I’m always high risk cz of my previous csections 🙄 only been low risk on my first pregnancy, I’d love to be low risk 😩

@Iheartbed Thanks good to know they do do them at 37....might put a request in for 37weeks, I guess it can only be declined x

I've had two sections and both times my womb has tore which means I have a lot of scar tissue, they believe my womb is just weak so after my last section I was told if I was to have another baby I wouldn't be allowed to carry past 36 weeks because of the risk of rupture.

So I would imagine 37 weeks would be okay, it's definitely best to ask and let them know your worries.

Congratulations

I just had my 4th, same thin scar but no adhesions with the last. I went in as booked at 38 weeks and the consultant tried to send me away for another week with a guilt trip about the baby’s wellbeing, they didn’t have my previous notes to hand and my word wasn’t good enough it seemed! I do think it varies depending on the consultant so all I’d say is make sure your notes very clearly state the reasons you are going in early.