Planned c section at Lewisham

[rattlinbog]

I will be having a planned section for baby 2 as had one for DS. I am due 2-4th Sep (tbc at 12 week scan) and want to make sure the baby is born in September. How easy is it to request a date of 1st or 4th Sep with Lewisham? It was very easy with my DS at Kings - c section booked at 40 weeks.

(Obv know there's a possibility I'll go into labour before!)

With my planned section, I was given a clear calendar of
the 40th week to pick any day I wished Mon-Fri.

@Moobieboobie thanks so much, was that at Lewisham?

I was scheduled for 39 weeks at Lewisham. I was under the impression it was standard to go for 39/39+1

Yes

@Tightforthyme did they offer you a choice? Did you actually speak to someone or just get a letter? Thanks!

@Moobieboobie that's fab. Hopefully they'll be flexible.

Hi @rattlinbog sorry for the questions but I’m due on 29th July and contemplating a planned C Section (at St Thomas’). How do you ask for one without getting completely fobbed off? You start by having that conversation with the midwife and go from there?

Thanks!

Hi @TigerQueen89 yes I just asked and asked. I have terrible anxiety. Was no problem at Kings, they were v happy to do it.

I wasn't offered a choice, but I also didn't ask, as the timing suited me. I talked to a consultant a few times and from the outset they were very clear about expectations (i.e. 39 weeks) but I think it will depend on your personal circumstances etc.

They were very flexible but this was pre-Covid things might have changed since then. I have had x2 planned sections both at 40 weeks and given free choice of dates for both of them.

Thanks @Tightforthyme and @Moobieboobie. I'll just keep asking and hope for the best. I'm not at any risk if I go into labour so hopefully they'll be fine about it.

Oh great! Glad tenacity works. If you’ve already had one though I thought “natural” wasn’t really an option…admit I don’t know much about these things 😊

And you found the original c sec ok the first time around? All as you’d hoped/ expected? I know the recovery time is a massive pain, but it still seems preferable to me compared to the other option (I’m terrified of tearing and incontinence - sorry probs tmi!)

@TigerQueen89 I think women do have "vbac" (vaginal birth after section) but this isn't what I want.

It was definitely the right decision for me. It was a bit painful recovering but it helped that I could plan it all - nothing unexpected and no incontinence 😊

Great 😊

@TigerQueen89 fingers crossed for you! You definitely are entitled to one if that's what you choose - it's in the NICE guidelines!

@rattlinbog omg amazing tip, thanks! Will familiarise myself with the guidelines. Good luck to you too, hope it all goes swimmingly ❤️

@TigerQueen89

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng192/chapter/Recommendations#planned-caesarean-birth

If anyone else has had a planned section in past year or so at Lewisham would love to hear about it

I'm getting treated at Lewisham but no experienced of what you are asking.
I would a) try to manipulate the due date. You say 2-4, but can you give info that suggests more likely the 4th? b) you can of course just refuse and then not turn up if they give you one on 31 August. I bet there's a lot of parents in the same boat though - I imagine in the first few days of September they are very busy with c-sections.

@IVFbeenverylucky I think they'll give me my final due date at the 12 week scan... crossing fingers for as late as possible!

C section question for Lewisham mums. How did you actually book in the date for your section? Did you do it at an appointment with a consultant, or phone the hospital, or how did it work?

Just bumping last point for morning crowd 🤞