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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Elective c-section at 38 weeks?

28 replies

Elisemum · 19/08/2021 12:50

Hi everyone, my first baby was born by elective c-section on 38 +4 days. The section was scheduled for 39 weeks but baby decided to come early :). He was absolutely fine and a big boy too. I’m now due a second baby soon and my consultant offered me a section at exactly 38 weeks +1 day. The reason being is that the chances are the second baby will come early again (apparently pregnancies like to repeat themselves). It’s a very respectable consultant at Rotunda and I do trust him. He of course said I could wait and go with the flow whenever the baby decides however we have a toddler and we have to make a lot of arrangements so it’s not as easy as the first time. Having a section at 38+1 would make things so much less stressful for everyone involved. Would you go for it? Or would you wait ? Anyone had a scheduled second section at 38 weeks? And was your baby breathing ok?

OP posts:
Candydreamer · 19/08/2021 12:55

Oh I didn't know this was a thing?

I am pregnant again too with second baby, had a c section planned for DD as she was breech and never turned but she came before 39 weeks too so didn't get to the C section date!

I wonder if they will offer me any earlier because of this or if they will stick with 39 weeks still.

Hmm..

Moominmiss · 19/08/2021 13:00

I’ve had 3 c sections and will be having my fourth in a couple of weeks.

My first was emergency so no date set, but my second and third sections were both done at 38+2. Both babies were absolutely fine, I wasn’t given steroids before delivery and neither needed any help after birth with breathing. We were home the next day.

My fourth c section is scheduled for 37+4 due to me having gestational diabetes this time around. This time I am being given steroids before delivery.

Alltimeblow · 19/08/2021 13:25

I had an elective section with my second son at 38 weeks. Purely because my consultant messed up and booked me in a week earlier than she was meant to and I was none the wiser about it usually being done at 39 weeks (my first was an emergency section at 42 weeks). No one noticed until I was literally about to go to theatre and I was given the option to go ahead with it or go home. I went ahead with it. I wasn't offered steroids. Baby wasn't breathing properly when he came out, he stayed in NICU for a week and SCBU for 3 days before he could go home. He was fine afterwards and no problems with breathing since but at the time it was just awful and I felt so guilty. I wouldn't do it again.

Alltimeblow · 19/08/2021 13:26

Should also add he was 10lb 8oz so not a tiny baby that you'd expect breathing problems with!

Original poster
Elisemum · 19/08/2021 13:26

Thanks @Moominmiss, @Candydreamer I’m in Ireland and generally speaking with your first baby no one offers a section at 38 weeks, always at 39. However this time the consultant said he is happy to do it at 38 based on the fact that baby will most likely come early again and is looking to be very strong at 70 centile. So basically I have 2 options now. 1 - do it at 38+1 in a calm nice environment, being well prepared with my toddler etc. 2 - wait and see what happens but it will be very stressful for all of us to get things organised for the toddler, mum flying from a different country and all. Obviously I want to do whatever is best for the baby

OP posts:
Curlymam88 · 19/08/2021 13:28

So the steroid injections are definitely a good thing to have before an elective c section? I've just started a new thread on this. Asking for more info off anyone.

Original poster
Elisemum · 19/08/2021 13:30

@Alltimeblow that’s horrible :( it just goes to show you never know, and I would feel guilty too, it’s such a hard decision to make. I’m so glad everything ended good for you

OP posts:
Curlymam88 · 19/08/2021 13:30

I was told because baby isn't being pushed through birth canal the fluid in their lungs remain. where if they were born via vagina that would push and disperse the fluid into the blood stream of baby from the lungs? I dontthink it has anything to do with baby size?

Chelyanne · 19/08/2021 13:50

I would.

Our twins were delivered at 38wk via elcs, I had 2 lots of steroids prior and they were both perfect and passed all health checks, no breathing problems.
I was booked in for elcs with our current at 39wk, she decided to come a day earlier. It was rough. I was in established labour with big baby (10lb 15oz) had started to get scar rupture so lost a lot of blood during surgery and was very unwell after. 10 days pp now and on the mend but taking much longer than my 1st cs. If we were to have another baby I would push for an earlier cs, I wouldn't want a repeat of this birth. They kept telling me having a big baby wouldn't increase risks of complications too.

Chelyanne · 19/08/2021 13:53

Oh and this baby had no breathing issues, she was born screaming lol

MotherOfCrocodiles · 19/08/2021 13:56

The steroids are to develop their lungs if born early. Not standard practice for all cs.

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 19/08/2021 14:00

Gosh yes, go for the nice calm planned one!

My first was a “planned” cs at 38 weeks - only planned the night before when they discovered she was footling breech, but still a very calm birth! Her breathing was fine. She was very sleepy and didn’t want to feed. There was also a flap about her being too small but she’s an adult now and 5ft1 so I guess she was just meant to be small.

No2 was an emergency cs at 34 weeks, also born yelling his little lungs out. No3 was a crash cs at 33 weeks under GA, didn’t meet him for 3 days as I was in ICU.

Planned CS, all the way, they’re lovely

Original poster
Elisemum · 19/08/2021 14:05

Thanks everyone, I didn’t even think to ask about steroids, I will definitely ask on my next visit! Still have 5 weeks to decide. @Chelyanne I didn’t think about scar rapture, that’s yet another thing to consider! And I know with second baby things do go quicker! I was already 2cm when I got to the hospital first time, so this time could be even faster.. your comment is very valid and looks like in my case 38 weeks may be the right time

OP posts:
Chelyanne · 19/08/2021 14:39

@Elisemum scar rupture was my main concern tbh and why I opted for an elcs, sods law her deciding to come earlier. It was a bit of a shock as our other spontaneous labour babies were both born after their due date. Her labour was progressing faster than older siblings but slow enough for them to class me lower risk and I had a 6 hour wait for surgery (though it felt like it went fast while dealing with contractions).

Good luck with the birth

Starshapeddreams · 19/08/2021 15:57

Steroids pre planned section are not really a thing. They are given for pre-term sections. As baby is deemed term from 37 weeks not needed after that.

I had my daughter by emergency section at 38weeks, she weighed 5lbs and had no breathing problems.

Moominmiss · 19/08/2021 16:09

@Starshapeddreams

Steroids pre planned section are not really a thing. They are given for pre-term sections. As baby is deemed term from 37 weeks not needed after that.

I had my daughter by emergency section at 38weeks, she weighed 5lbs and had no breathing problems.

In my trust any sections planned and performed before 39 weeks, steroids are given.

7 years ago however when I had 2 of my sections at 38+2, that wasn’t the standard thing so I was never given any.

This time, because my section is before 39 weeks (at 37+4) I am being given 2 doses of steroids 48 hours before my section.

ThanksItHasPockets · 20/08/2021 08:32

No, I wouldn't. I had an ELCS scheduled but went into spontaneous labour at 38+6 and had a CS delivery. It was classed as 'emergency' but it was perfectly calm and the only difference with a scheduled CS was that I had been having contractions. My baby nevertheless had respiratory distress and spent his first day on CPAP in SCBU. Every day counts even at that gestation.

You would need to have contingencies in place for your toddler if you were having a physiological birth. We don't have family local to us so I had Plans A-D in place despite having an ELCS date and I found that people were keen to help if we needed them.

Tigerstigers · 20/08/2021 08:55

Would it be a better idea to plan c section for later, and just get a rough plan in place for toddler childcare from 38-scheduled date? This is what we did in our similar situation, first baby came early and birth ended in emcs, second was elective, but I wanted to go as close to due date as possible so it was scheduled for 39.6. I went into labour on 39.5, so used our back up childcare we had in place for that day, and all worked out well. Baby was great, and I felt better knowing she was born "when ready". My mum works so the back up childcare was friends/family who would look after dd1 until she finished her shift, and could take over as she was the one I was most comfortable leaving dd for any extended length of time. With Covid, alot of trusts are still keen to keep partners out the hospitals as much as possible, and will be wanting to get you back up on your feet and out asap, do chances are you won't be in as long as you were with your first, meaning childcare may not be such a huge issue. My friend took dd1 for 3 hours, my mum took over and had her overnight, then dh went home early in the morning as they kicked all visitors out. He then brought dd in to meet her new sister at visiting time, and we were all home by dinner time.

Original poster
Elisemum · 20/08/2021 09:09

Hey @Tigerstigers, yes I do have the option to plan the section for week 39 and totally agree that it would be better. But seeing as the first baby came at 38 weeks the doctors say this one will most likely come that week. So basically I can definitely wait till 39 weeks but there is a huge chance it will all end up in mid-night rush to hospital and a lot of nerves. I’m in Ireland and I’m private patient so I will be staying in hospital for 5 nights so that’s a lot. But yes this is an option which I can consider. Still have a few weeks to decide so decisions desicions…

OP posts:
Todaytomorrowyesterday · 20/08/2021 09:22

I had my first planned c-section at 37+4 weeks (high risk pregnancy) I felt my daughter wasn’t quite ready and everything was a struggle establishing feeding, sleeping (unless on me!) and a colic - she was sick so much!!! I always felt the dates weren’t quite right and she was actually 36/37 weeks.
I’m not sure if it was due to her being early (I’m not a medical professional) but with my second pregnancy. I pushed for 39 weeks (I’m high risk and wasn’t allowed to go into labour) - and they agreed as long as I went straight in with any signs! The baby was definitely easier established feeding /sleeping and no sick!!
No idea if being born a little later made any difference but second time around she seemed more ready?

SouthwestSis · 20/08/2021 09:24

Can you ask for 38+3 or 38+4 to schedule your section as a compromise?

ny20005 · 20/08/2021 09:26

I had my second one at 37+5 - no issues at all. Steroids are only needed for preterm babies. 37 weeks is full term

Original poster
Elisemum · 20/08/2021 09:46

@SouthwestSis hey, no I can’t. The consultant I’m with only schedules for Tuesdays so I have a choice of 38+1 or 39+1. Of course anything can happen any day in between but that’s just life, so he arrives to the hospital or has another consultant do the section.

OP posts:
Littlegoth · 20/08/2021 09:49

I had an elcs at 37 weeks (induction due to APS would have been at this point due to risks increasing at this stage). I had steroid injections beforehand, just my hospital’s procedure.

Crazylemon86 · 20/08/2021 11:17

I'm having my planned section next week at 38+3. I am being given steroids tomorrow and Sunday just to make sure all is ok. Mine was scheduled for 39+3 but has been brought forward. I am hoping all is straightforward and the consultant feels confident based on all the info the have from weekly scans etc.

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