Planned C Section 38 or 39 weeks?

Moominmiss · 03/10/2021 13:13

I was originally booked for a c section this time at 39 weeks, but due to my gd and being on insulin it was brought forward to 37+4.

Baby was perfect, fed perfectly, and needed no help at all.

My 2 previous elective sections before were both done at 38+2 and again both babies were perfect and needed no assistance in anyway.

zeena83 · 04/10/2021 17:21

My OB is also saying 39 but, like you OP, I am worried about going into labour early so am thinking of pushing for 38 weeks...

Cafeaulait27 · 04/10/2021 17:51

Mine is at 39 weeks - which is actually this week!

I was worried too, but it’s worked out fine and I now feel relieved that my baby has had longer to cook. Also I was told if I went into early labour they would still do the c section - did they say that to you too?

Echobelly · 04/10/2021 18:14

I had both c-sections at 38 weeks, though in the second case, DS couldn't wait and I went into labour the night before the planned section and it was officially an 'emergency' (but a very relaxed one) 8 hours before planned time!

sarah13xx · 04/10/2021 18:22

Mine was 39+4 and I was absolutely petrified for those 4 days that I’d go into labour. I’d say try and go for bang on 39 weeks if they’ll do it then, get the best of both worlds

zeena83 · 04/10/2021 18:36

@Cafeaulait27 yes I was told the same - OB said he would do the section even if I went into labour

JackieChiles · 04/10/2021 18:39

Mine were both at 39+ weeks as I really wanted to let the babies develop inside me as long as possible. My OB said if I went into labor naturally they would just do the c-section then -- is that not an option for you?

ChikiTIKI · 04/10/2021 19:08

In the uk you can have a c section before 39 weeks but if you hadn't gone in to labour already you would need steroids to help develop the baby's lungs. The chances of the baby needing help with breathing are significantly lower after 39 weeks which is why c sections aren't routinely planned for before then.

How long are you menstrual cycles? Mine are always very long which apparently there is some correlation in. My first I was induced after going 12 days overdue, so having a planned c section at 39 plus 2 for second one was not a concern. Having this same this time too (although may have to be changed as currently the placenta is low so being monitored for that at the moment, I'm only 23 weeks along so far).

Vg92 · 12/09/2022 09:59

Hi ladies, I know it is an old tread but I would really appreciate any help/knowledge.
I am 28 weeks pregnant and I want c section. I was told I can have one but only on or after 39 weeks. I am really concerned I may go into labour by that time. But basically I was declined c section before 39weeks. I have read in this thread some of you were given the choice between 38 and 39 weeks. May I ask you about the name of the hospital? I am happy to travel anywhere in England, Scotland and Wales.
Thank you in advance!

MadamMaltesers · 12/09/2022 10:04

@Vg92 im 28 weeks too and have a csec planned for with 38 or 39 weeks. That's what it says on my notes. My consultant I think is giving me the choice and seems pretty relaxed. I'm in Wales btw. I'm probably going to go for around 20th November.

Mummysharkargggggggg · 12/09/2022 10:16

Mine was 39.1 and I did go into early labour.
It was W
Unite stressful as I was waiting for a blood delivery to arrive so they could proceed with the section.
I was closely monitored and we did manage to hold on x

namedhange · 12/09/2022 10:42

ChikiTIKI · 04/10/2021 19:08

In the uk you can have a c section before 39 weeks but if you hadn't gone in to labour already you would need steroids to help develop the baby's lungs. The chances of the baby needing help with breathing are significantly lower after 39 weeks which is why c sections aren't routinely planned for before then.

How long are you menstrual cycles? Mine are always very long which apparently there is some correlation in. My first I was induced after going 12 days overdue, so having a planned c section at 39 plus 2 for second one was not a concern. Having this same this time too (although may have to be changed as currently the placenta is low so being monitored for that at the moment, I'm only 23 weeks along so far).

Weird my cycles are 27 days yet I was pregnant for over 42 weeks 🤣

Vg92 · 12/09/2022 19:58

@MadamMaltesers thank you very much for your reply. May I ask you where exactly in Wales is your hospital?

Weathergirl1 · 12/09/2022 20:37

@Vg92 My ELCS is booked for 39 weeks based on the dating scan, but as I know when I ovulated, it's actually happening at 38+2 (I'm not arguing with them about dates as it means the section is earlier). I appreciate not everyone knows when they ovulated though.

I've been very clear with them regarding needing a plan in case labour starts before that date. They have to state that if you turn up in advanced labour it might be safest to go for a physiological birth, however I have zero intention of stalling turning up in labour so that's a highly unlikely situation. My hospital is a large teaching hospital and regional centre. They do 6 planned sections per day and have a separate theatre for emergencies. I'd say you'd have less chances of encountering a problem at a larger hospital.

The comment further up about requiring steroids for caesarean before 39 weeks is out of date. My first baby was born by planned section at 37+2 in 2019 and I wasn't given steroids in advance - we had no breathing issues at all.

drquestion · 12/09/2022 20:43

I don't think the steroid advice is out of date. I had steroids a few months ago for a section at 38 weeks. Lots of literature to back the use of steroids up too.

Twokidsanddone · 12/09/2022 20:51

DS2 was an elective at 38+3. I'd been in hospital for a couple of weeks by then. DP couldn't really bring DS1 to visit as visiting hours were restricted by Covid and overlapped with his shifts. Covid rules noone else could bring DS1 to see me as named visitors only on the ward. By the time I'd been there for a couple weeks, missing DS1 and already suffering perinatal depression, as well as bouts of contractions threatning labour, they decided that as soon as possible was probably best and didn't see the point waiting for the week. A dose of steroids to be cautious, and he was perfect. Needed no help, no extra care, discharged the next day to come home
There are obviously benefits to waiting til 39 weeks. But it depends on your own circumstances. Weigh up the pros and cons with your doctor, especially if you have concerns about early labour etc. Good luck!

OiFrogg · 12/09/2022 20:55

I was pretty certain for several reasons I'd go before 39 weeks and I did (twice). If you've got a reason to think that, I'd go for 38+something.

Weathergirl1 · 12/09/2022 21:53

@drquestion it may vary by trust then regarding the policy. But I saw a discussion about it among obs/paeds a few months ago where there was scientific literature they were referring to which suggested that the benefits don't necessarily outweigh risks after 36/37 weeks (absolutely still the correct thing to do earlier than that though).

Weathergirl1 · 12/09/2022 22:09

Found the paper - it was a Cochrane review: www.cochrane.org/CD006614/PREG_corticosteroids-preventing-serious-breathing-problems-newborn-after-caesarean-section-term

Can't find the discussion though as it's buried somewhere on Twitter.

sdc123 · 22/06/2023 14:50

In terms of steroids, we nearly had to have these when my partner was 33 weeks, our consultant informed us that they do not routinely do this after 34 weeks though, whether elective or emergency c-section. I'm sure there are some exceptions if there are specific reasons, but if only by the fact of weeks of pregnancy they do not offer it routinely after 34 weeks.

sdc123 · 22/06/2023 14:50

I should mentioned we are based in the UK, other countries may have different policies.