Elective c-section info?

[rach971]

I'm due on 28th July and it's been recommended I have a c-section due to some heart issues that have recently been found (with me, not baby).

I'm just wondering for those of you that have had an elective, when did you get confirmation you'd be having one and when did plans start getting put in place?

I'm aware you don't get the actual date itself through until about two weeks before, but given that I'm 29 weeks pregnant I'd just have expected more to be mentioned by now. Maybe that's just me being impatient, I don't know.

I do have an appointment with the 'joint clinic' later this week to decide which hospital I'll be having her at (our local one, or one further away that has an obstetric cardiology team), so I'm wondering if it might be discussed then.

I'm just worrying I think. I know it's rare to go into early labour but I'm panicking what if my waters went or something and nobody would have a clue that I'm supposed to even be having a c-section 🙈😫

Hey!

I was born with a heart condition and some changes were picked up at my last echo(pre pregnancy).

I can’t answer on when the decision is made because I am still in the same boat myself, c sections or being induced to give natural birth tend to be the options.

These options will only be inforced if your echo/ecg or a blood tests would imply some danger. This is the advice I have been given by my joint cardiac team. Mine all seem fine at the moment but of course later on it could change that’s why they will be around for the rest of the pregnancy!

The feeling I get is that it’s not black and white unless you have a severe heart condition. It sounds really scary but we have some great cardiologists in the NHS! Do your best not to worry too much. I hope it’s gives some explanations or reassurance before you see the docs! X

Usually gets booked at the 36 week appointment. There is usually a delivery plan documented by the consultant at 12 weeks if there are significant concerns

I had an elective and always knew I’d have an elective, again because of pre-existing issues. The consultant did end up giving me my date at around the 30 week mark, but that was simply because she didn’t need to speak to me again and she thought what’s the point in making me wait for a confirmed date. But it is normal for them to give the date a couple of weeks beforehand, which is annoying.

It was booked in for exactly 39 weeks. In the end, I went into labour a week earlier. I simply called the hospital, told them the story and went in, and had my c section 6 hours later.

@Beagle2697 Thank you. The issues only got picked up at an echo in Feb and whilst I have my results on paper, I don't actually have my follow up appt with the cardiologist until early June 😫 From the letter - I have heart valve disease (luckily mild it seems) and something called left bundle branch block, as well as mild regurgitation.

The first consultant I saw said it would likely be a case of elective c-section or if I chose labour then it would be with an epidural. I had an emergency c-section with my 8 year old due to her being breech so was already planning on asking for an elective this time around to be honest, as it was such a good experience last time and I've never really liked the idea of giving birth. In fact I mentioned it to the midwife at my booking appointment but obviously they don't do much that early on apart from note it down as something to be discussed later on

@rach971 oh wow bless you, must be a lot to take in! Mine is mild pulmonary valve stenosis but they spotted LV dialation on my echo same with the regurgitation too!

C-section is probably the easiest way to ensure safety for people like us! This is my first I’m totally with you on that one and would opt for an epidural at the minimum 😂

All the best! I hope everything goes well for you x

I’m having an elective c section this time after an emergency c section before. I had my consultant appointment at just gone 21 weeks and got my c section date through the post 3 days later at just before 22 weeks which was a massive surprise as I expected it to be at 32 weeks (that’s what the consultant told me). It’s booked for when I’m 39+2 weeks as 39 weeks exactly is a Saturday and they don’t do planned c sections at weekends.

They told me that if I went into labour sooner then it would be another emergency c section it would just be done quicker than it was last time as they would have me go to hospital and into theatre as soon as possible

I got mine at about 30 weeks, and I was reassured that if I went into labour beforehand they’d do a c section immediately.

The original date was 39 weeks (standard, I think), but some issues arose at 37 weeks which made them bring it forwards a few days. Whole process was super smooth.

I've had 2 (kind of!). With DS1 I got the date at my 20 week consultant appointment, and it was done at 39 weeks. DS2 I didn't get the date until I was about 36 weeks (and had to harass them for it). Again it was booked for 39 weeks but I went into labour at 38+1 and had an emergency section in the middle of the night, complete with the gynae surgery I needed. Just make sure you take your notes everywhere with you for the last couple of months just in case!

With that history you 100% need an anaesthetic referral to have a consultation with the anaesthetist during the pregnancy. I’d ring your community midwife and ask her to check that this has been done

@ChickpeaPie What would that be for, to make sure an epidural is safe? Sorry, totally new to all this. My pregnancy with my daughter was smooth the entire way through, no issues, felt absolutely fine the whole way through. Then fast forward to this pregnancy and there's heart issues, I'm under a consultant, I'm not used to it all 🙈

Mine was booked in at 36 weeks. I’d be reminding them you want one at every appointment from now onwards and asking when it will be scheduled. Do you have another consultant/obstetrician appointment scheduled in?

@WhoHidTheCoffee Yeah I've got a joint clinic appointment on Thursday which I believe is with an obstetrician and a doctor. Think I'll be pushing for a referral to an anesthetist as well after what Chickpea above said. I'm just so frustrated at feeling like nobody is taking this seriously. Yes I'm under a consultant but I've never once been told I'm high risk and all that's been said is it's either a cesarean or birth with an epidural. I didn't even know a referral to an anesthetist should be done until Chickpea just said. I wish they'd just get their act together. I'm going to note everything down for my appointment so I don't forget to mention anything

If they are recommending caesarean of birth with epidural then they need to explain to you exactly why. What are the risks of pushing. Obviously a risk to your heart- but you need a full discussion about this and that’s usually done by the anaesthetist as it makes you much higher risk and they like to have a plan made and in your notes before the time comes

Mine was booked at 32 weeks for 36 weeks (twins sharing a placenta). Everything was discussed at that appointment with the consultant. Prior to that midwives did care as normal.