C- section date - any choice?

[HayB]

Hello.

Just wondering, when you are called to book your section date in, do you have any day on the day / date at all? Or are you given a date and that’s it?

I’m due to have a call at 36wks for delivery at 38wks and I’m trying to think of the best ‘day’ to ask for if it’s possible (due to childcare etc)

Thanks!

any say on the day!

It depends on slots available. You can ask (sensibly, based on your dates) but they might only have one or two slots available. My trust book very early - I had my call with my consultant at about 26 weeks this time and most of the slots were already taken.

Avoid Thursday/Friday as quality of care dips frantically over a weekend. If u can have ur section on a Monday, you may be out on the Friday!

I would say the opposite of what @sunlight81 I had my 3rd on a Friday afternoon and it was the best aftercare I had. To be fair, I didn’t have bad care any time, but the 3rd was the best.
Also, why would she be in 5 days? I’ve had 3 c sections and only ever been in over night.

I was offered a Tuesday because I turn 39wk on that day, my trust prefer to do elcs between Tuesday & Thursday. I was happy with that so didn't ask about other days, mine was booked in at 35+6.
They can offer different dates if they have slots available. With my 1st I was given 2 dates to choose from.

I had my last on a Thursday and was out the Friday, quality of care was fine.

Mine had already been booked in by the consultant at our first appointment, she didn’t tell me the date there and then though. When I had my second appointment it was with a Dr from her team and she just told me the date and said it had already been booked. Was 39+4

In my trust, you can chose as such but if the date they offer isn't suitable, they'll offer a different one.

I had my section on a Monday, was out by Wednesday :)

@sunlight81

Avoid Thursday/Friday as quality of care dips frantically over a weekend. If u can have ur section on a Monday, you may be out on the Friday!

There won't be consultants in on the weekend, but they have the same number of everyone else in on a weekend.

I had my csections on a Saturday (was an emergency) and a Friday on a Bank Holiday weekend. Both were absolutely fine in terms of aftercare.

The best thing about weekends is you don't have the superfluous people coming around and mithering you, like the bounty sales people, until Monday.

It'd also rare to be in five days after a section. I was only in give days after my first because he needed antibiotics. I stayed four days with my second because I asked to stay extra.

I haven’t been given a choice, just a Friday PM is what they have booked for me. I did ask if it was possible for a morning slot so that husband could be with me longer and it was a no. Mine was booked at 37+4 due to breech though for 39+5, so I imagine there wasn’t much space x

Thanks all! Was hoping to choose a Weds as girls at nursery then and the following day so childcare made easier but I’ll see what happens. Agree, some seem to have dates very early so may be there aren’t many options 2 weeks in advance 🙈

My hospital only do elcs on a Tuesday and Thursday and only book in 2 a day. They would also only book me in from 39 weeks so I’m booked in the day before my due date. Didn’t think slots would fill up that quickly!

@HayB

Thanks all! Was hoping to choose a Weds as girls at nursery then and the following day so childcare made easier but I’ll see what happens. Agree, some seem to have dates very early so may be there aren’t many options 2 weeks in advance 🙈

If you can't choose the C-section date can you arrange extra days with the nursery? It might be helpful anyway as your due date approaches if you are tired at that point, and good to have a plan especially if you are postponed due to an emergency.

I could possibly but they are quite booked and I’m torn between wanting them to be there (prob back 1 week before section) and not wanting them there anymore then needed due to covid / always picking up viruses etc 🙈 it’s a juggling act.
Definitely something I’ll consider nearer the date, even if nursery could swap the girls dates around for a week or 2 to help out. Thanks x