Elective c-section at 38 weeks?

[Elisemum]

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?

I had an elective with my first and only child at 38 weeks. Went amazing and healed very well. I am not sure my experience is relevant as only child but thought I'd just give it you anyway

Id personally go for it at 38 weeks, It’s really interesting how each trust/consultant offers different advice. I have had two sections both emergency, one at 37+1 and one at 36+1 yet my consultant is booking me a csection for 39 weeks for this baby… I’m baffled as my waters have a history of breaking early but he thinks I will get to 39 weeks, I laughed and am going along with it (as I suppose I may get to 39 weeks who knows), I would have rathered a plan to get to 38 weeks but at the moment I’m not being offered that - potentially it may change in the coming weeks and I’ll wait and see :) but from my point of view I’d be happy with 38 weeks, wishing you all the best OP

RCOG guidelines are to give steroids to all women having a planned Caesarean section before 38 weeks and 6 days .