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Pregnancy

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Original poster

ELCS date - what would you do?

11 replies

Happyholidays15 · 01/09/2021 19:27

After an EMCS with my first we decided on an ELCS this time. As I'm a low risk pregnancy, the consultant was quite happy to let me have it as late as possible and wrote "40 weeks" on the sheet. When it came to booking it with the midwife, she said they usually do it at 39 weeks and booked it in for 39+3.

The closer it gets though, the more I think I would rather have it the following week. My first was born at 42+1 and I feel bad not giving this one as much time to grow and just arbitrarily getting them out earlier (silly I know). It's almost a 3 week difference. I know all babies are different but we had a pretty smooth start with DS, ease of BF etc and I think it may be partially down to the fact he had plenty of time to grow and was super ready.

Initially I was happy with 39+3 to reduce the likelihood of going into labour naturally before but my instinct tells me that probably won't happen and I have a while yet.

Has anyone had experiences that would help sway me either way? Is it even possible to reschedule this late on? (I'm 37+3) and have my pre-op appointment tomorrow.

I'm a bit lost as I don't know what's best and also don't want to be a pain.
Thank you!

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shineysides · 01/09/2021 19:43

Hey, I had the same with my second who was born in May. I wanted to go as close to due date as possible as like you I wanted them to have as much time as possible to grow and 39 weeks just felt too early to me after being two weeks late the first time. After initially agreeing to 39 weeks I spoke to my midwife and asked for it to be changed to 40 weeks as either way I knew that if I was overdue I wanted the ELCS. She was fine with this as long as I understood that I may go into labour. Honestly though I had a strong feeling I wouldn't, can't explain why I just knew I'd be overdue. As it turned out I was booked in on exactly my due date and baby was still 2 pounds lighter than his sibling so I'm glad they had the extra week. I also had no signs of going into labour at all

Original poster

Happyholidays15 · 01/09/2021 19:59

Thank you so much @shineysides that's so helpful to hear that someone had a similar train of thought as I didn't know if I was just overthinking the whole thing. Do you mind me asking what happened with your first, did you dilate at all? I went to 5cms after induction and having waters broken, that worries me a bit, as my body has gone that far before, maybe it will choose to do it a bit earlier this time?

The added complication also is childcare for my first, so the ELCS on the chosen day would be so ideal, if I went into labour before on an unplanned date my DH may well need to stay with DS and miss it...

I think I'll bring it up at my appointment tomorrow and see. Such a big decision!

OP posts:

shineysides · 02/09/2021 09:36

No problem. Yeah so I dilated fully after an induction with my first but he wouldn't turn into my pelvis and engage so there was no hope of him coming without an emcs. He was almost 10 pound though and had a big head . My midwife reckoned I had as good a chance as any at a vbac but honestly I didn't want to risk an emergency section again and Like you I had childcare issues. We were just at the first parts of restrictions easing and so it was all a bit tricky and I figured if I went into labour I would just request my section then

SockQueen · 02/09/2021 10:56

I didn't have sections, but my DS1 was born at 42 weeks exactly and DS2 at 39+2, so very similar to the "age gap" you're looking at. Both were induced for different medical reasons. DS2 was a little sleepier for the first few weeks, but took to breastfeeding really well and actually gained weight better than DS1! In terms of development, milestones etc, there has been virtually no difference at all between them.

So by all means ask if you can move your CS a bit later, but be aware that does increase the chance of you going into labour and then needing a semi-emergency CS instead (assuming you don't want to attempt a VBAC).

Original poster

Happyholidays15 · 02/09/2021 23:24

Thank you @sockqueen, good to know it didn't make much difference between your 2 DCs. But yes it does increase the chance of a semi emergency csection or even having to have a VBAC if things somehow progress very quickly. I don't mind a VBAC as such but I have not prepared for it in any way argh!

@shineysides good to know you fully dilated but still went overdue with your second. Fingers crossed this happens to us too and baby waits for the csection!

In the end I found out at my appointment today that they had had to move my date to 39+5. Its a Friday and the most inconvenient for us for childcare, so I asked if it could be moved to the Monday and they said that was no problem. I will be 40+1. I feel more comfortable letting baby get all the way to the due date and as it's just an extra 3 days hopefully I'm not being too crazy and baby stays put. I can always spend those two days lying down and not moving to make sure nothing starts

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Amz6219 · 03/09/2021 12:10

I have the opposite problem - EMCS with first (failed induction - pretty traumatic) and have been booked in at 40 weeks for ELCS but feel like it's too late and want to bring forward to 39 weeks. Terrified of going into labour and them pushing VBAC on me.

Shall we swap? LOL.

I have a gut feeling I'll go in to labour in the 39th week...

How did you find you request was taken in your appointments? I feel like they are going to make it difficult for me and I need to be assertive but I'm being a wuss!

Original poster

Happyholidays15 · 03/09/2021 12:30

@amz6219 I'm not assertive and really had to psyche myself up to ask, especially as I was at the pre op appointment and all the paperwork already had the date on, Covid and blood tests were booked accordingly etc, I thought it would be a huge pain to change.

But it literally took 5 minutes and she didn't mind at all! She moved a few things around in the calendar to make space for me and it was done! I couldn't believe it was so easy.

So definitely ask. In the end, I told myself that even if they think I am annoying I am entitled to a say in when I am getting cut open! We're not being fussy about something insignificant, it's pretty huge so it's fair to have a say in it and make sure we are comfortable. Are you booked for exactly 40 weeks?

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sarah13xx · 03/09/2021 12:52

Had a section at 39+4 and he was definitely ready to come out. He didn’t have any of the white vernix on him anymore and was over 8lb. I had prepared myself that he might be quite shocked and not cry initially so was trying not to worry myself but the second they lifted him out he screamed and didn’t stop! I felt like 39+4 was quite late but I was terrified of going into labour at any second so was just glad to make it

Amz6219 · 03/09/2021 13:46

@Happyholidays15 you are 100% right - it is a massive deal! I definitely need to psyche myself up, i'd be an advocate for anyone else but just not myself for some reason!

Yes booked for 40 weeks exactly, but that was very flippantly booked - consultant said 'oooh we are fully booked, I'll see where I can squeeze you in' so i'm worried there'll say there's nothing before 40 weeks... :(

Elisemum · 03/09/2021 19:06

My first section (elective) was done at 38+4 - my labour started naturally. This time they are offering me a section at 38+2 and I think I’m gonna go for it. You are definitely fine at 39+ - I wouldn’t worry

mayblossominapril · 03/09/2021 19:32

I had my first by emcs at 42 weeks. My elcs was booked for 39+1 for number 2. I had an unplanned VBAC at 38+3.
When I got to the hospital they asked if I wanted my cs I said no I’ve changed my mind. Midwife gets a more senior midwife to ask me, she gets a doctor to check I definitely don’t want a cs. They then all ask DP who said she changed her mind at the weekend (I had my show and a massive panic about the elcs), so they did repeatedly check I was happy to VBAC.

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