C section brought forward and will now mean a different school year!

[Mitzymarvel]

Having an ELCS for a few reasons, which was booked in for 1st September. Everyone told me how great that was as LO would be the oldest in their year rather than the youngest.

However, today the dr requested it get brought forward because the baby’s abdomen growth has tailed off a little. The earliest they could do was one day ahead - so now 31st August.

Seems pointless to me but obviously should assume dr knows best. I’m just worried now everyone convinced me that being September born was much better than August.

Any thoughts on whether it’s a big disadvantage? Obviously baby’s health is the most important thing but it’s one day that makes a big difference!

My daughter was due 1st of September and was born 22nd August and she has absolutely excelled at school. You don’t have to defer if they are ready. She’s one of the top readers in her entire school and is already doing school work of the year above (they’re in mixed classes). Being summer born absolutely does not mean they will be behind.

My son has just turned 4 and starts school in a few weeks. He'll be young, but all the staff seem to say it won't be an issue. Certainly as an adult you don't notice it. Do what you need to get your baby here safely, the rest won't really matter in a few years x

You can’t always defer, my friend fought tooth and nail to defer her august born child and wasn’t allowed.
I’d ask to stay overnight for monitoring and have baby as planned on 1st sept

Like 100% this. Also, you could go into labour at any time, and it would be out of your control!

Going against the grain here. Replies make it sound like being August born is a terrible fate! Honestly, the reasons for social and academic progress are not necessarily down to age (I'm in a primary school).

If all the August-born defer, then the July children become the youngest. Where does that stop? Each child is an individual, with their own needs.

I also have an August boy who was due in September. Never an issue, he just got on with school. There are so many variables that can affect a child's readiness for school, making friends and learning. Dont focus on their birth month, just go for the safest option and take it from there.

What if you just go into labour tonight? And don't have a choice?

Why don't you focus on having the baby here safely first, taking the doctor's advice? And then if your child isn't ready for school defer them, and if they are then send them.

You have a lot of other things to worry about before the child starting school. Focus on the now.

DD1 is 26th August. About to go into year 3. So far it hasn't affected her.
I know lots of successful August born adults.

You can hold them back a year so they start the September after their 5th birthday if they are summer born.

Thank goodness none of the carefully planned September babies decided to come early!

Exactly

What a ridiculous comment

If it helps my brother was a young one in his year, 25th August , my mum had the choice of what school year but all his friends were in his correct year so she stuck with it. He seemed younger when he first started because he was really but he got on great and it really wasn't any disadvantage to him academically.

She tried to move it forward 3 days but they said 1 day was the best they could do unless it becomes an emergency.

The woman who called with the new appointment was not pleased at all - said it had caused a lot of issues moving other ladies around (though there will be someone else rejoicing or commiserating at the reverse situation now!)

She said she struggled to see the point but when I said I would happily hold off she said we needed to go with dr recommendation and that ‘I’d never forgive myself’ if waiting an extra day made a negative difference.

I’d actually prefer the 31st August because like a PP said you’ll be eligible for the 3 year funding from September rather than January and you can defer and baby will start in reception. My DD is July-born and starts reception next month aged 5. Go with what’s safest for you and baby and figure out the other stuff later.

My dd will be the youngest in school when she starts in September. She turned 4 this week. I have to keep reminding nursery staff that she is the youngest in the room as they cannot tell that she is the youngest. Being an august born isnt always bad

Summer born children can start school the term after they turn 5, and can go in to reception, but this can be more or less difficult depending on where you live. There is an informative Facebook group called 'flexible school admissions for summer born children' that may be of interest.

Regardless, I wish you and your baby all the best.

Thanks everyone - seems like opinion is divided over whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing. But I think I have to just go with what the dr says and think of it as out of my control.

If I’m worried they still struggle at school I can investigate holding them back closer to the time.

Most important thing is to get baby here safely.

Follow the medical advice. Good luck x

I had a planned ELCS booked for 1st September because of school, they were due mid October. In the end they turned up in august anyway. Such is life, they've done really well at school and just passed all their SATS. As others have said you can defer now anyway, you couldn't when Dts were born.

If all the August-born defer, then the July children become the youngest. Where does that stop? Each child is an individual, with their own needs.

According to another thread I read recently, 31st March. Summer born is everyone born from the 1st April. It's still early, but from what I can tell, my shortly to be 3 year old absolutely would not be ready for school at 4.

It's not always an advantage being the oldest in the year. I wish DS was born on his due date which was 27th August. He was born on 2nd of September. He was more than ready for Reception from age 4, way before that actually, and throughout the last year of pre school they really struggled with him because he was so far ahead of all of the other children. He often had 1 on 1 time to do extra work because it was the only way they could challenge him and keep him engaged. He was the same in Reception too. He got bored of going over the stuff that he already knew. We're really hoping Year 1 isn't more of the same. And that isn't a "my child is sooo clever" brag btw.

We are moving Schools when we move house, and the new school is mixed years, so at least that will benefit him every other year when he's mixed with the next year up.

Yes that's the best way to look at it. Same as if you'd gone into labour earlier

I wouldn't be happy with this and unless it was an actual emg I would wait. Itl make a huge difference in school!

I would question how urgent it is if the soonest they can do it is 31 aug. I had a c section 2 weeks ago and was admitted to hospital with pre eclampsia beforehand. I was put first on the section list the next day, so when it is really necessary, there is space.

fwiw I have an early Sept bday and was always the youngest in the year but in the top few academically.

They want to get baby out so there isn't an actual emergancy.

I was desperate to get dd out before the 1st September (she was due on the 28th August) as it would mean a year less nursery fees to pay! She arrived on the 29th. She will be entering year 3 next week, she is thriving in school and achieving above average for her age. No issues with her being the youngest at all.