Planned c-section, when do they take the baby out?

[1234Mama1234]

Hi, I was wondering if there were any mothers on here who had a planned c-section?
Could I be given some information as to how it works, in the sense that does the midwife give you a date as to when they'll operate?
How many weeks does the baby come out at etc.
TIA

Midwife/OB gives/suggests a date and then they book it in. Different dates/gestation ages will be picked for different reasons

As to when baby comes out, it depends. If the c section is fully elective and kind of like a backstop (ie it is ok if you go into labour - eg if you are having a big baby or shouldn't go overdue and you won't be induced), then you might have it at 40 weeks, but generally there's a medical or emotional reason why you don't want to go into labour so they do it at 39 weeks so that it is less likely you'll have gone into labour.

Re giving dates, these are quite late in my trust because they need to ensure you've had your birth choices appointments etc and to maximise the operating theatre efficiency and there are some women who won't go to term (twins, pre eclampsia etc) that need to be factored in. In my trust there are 3 elective slots a day and they give you your date around 36 weeks (but it will usually be 39+2ish).

Obviously if you have a medical condition that will dictate when baby comes out too.

My hospital only do elective c-sections on a Monday and Thursday, so that affects the date.

Bizarrely, when I look back, mine was brought forward from the Monday, to the Thursday because my parents were going abroad to work, flying on the Saturday. I can't quite believe we even asked.

My elective c-section (5 years ago) was scheduled a week before my due date. I actually started having contractions in the early hours on my c-section date! Still got the c-section though! I had to be at the hospital at around 9.30am but there was a few hours wait as there was an emergency c-section that obviously took priority.

Mine was scheduled for 39 weeks but ended up being changed to 38 due to pre-eclampsia and its impact on my DS.

A low risk pregnancy is unlikely to result in a elcs before 39w. I got my date at 20w after I saw a consultant. Every hospital is different.

They generally don't want to do it before 39 weeks for various reasons unless there is a medical complication. They don't want to go much past 40 weeks for other obvious reasons.

So it's generally that week but it depends on the availability of theatre slots.

It’s usually 39 weeks unless there’s a medical reason - mine was 38 weeks exactly because they didn’t want me to go into labour naturally for medical reasons. We were given the date a few weeks prior. Good luck! Mine was a great experience x

I’m going in 39 + 1 for elective

Depends on reason. Usually around 2 weeks of dd. Booked in on a particular day. Go in very early usually and wait.

My first was booked for 38 weeks but unless it is for specific medical reasons they now prefer to wait longer. I was given a date but then 'bumped' for twins and then nearly had to wait another day due to so many emergencies. We were in early in the morning and then waited until the afternoon when I was rushed in before the final time for electives. My second was at 42 weeks as the little darling would not make an appearance. This was booked but very close to the date.

With my third we chose the date with the consultant as I wanted to be home for my eldest's 4th birthday.

39 weeks here. They called me about ten days before to confirm the date

Maternal request C-section here due to previous birth trauma (basically I told them that if I had to do DD’s birth again I’d have a breakdown 🙈)

Mentioned it in every appointment. Had it signed off at 28 weeks by the consultant. Got the date at 36 weeks when I was starting to panic that I wouldn’t get it. Was booked for 39+3on the promise that if I went into labour they’d do me as an emergency. As it was I got bumped to 39+4 due to lots of emergencies that day (I still feel dreadful for having a breakdown at the doctor who had to deliver that news to me, but I’d been nil by mouth for 20 hours at full term by that point and was desperately upset!) DS arrived by ELCS at 39+4. It was an amazing experience to get to hold my baby as soon as he was born rather than my experience with DD. I hope it goes well for you OP.

You are given a date/or you can choose... turn up on the day around 7/8 without eating. You then get taken to a room with 3 other couples and are then told your order. I was 3rd both times. They took me at 1pm and both my children were born at 1:2pm and 1:22pm.

You walk down to the theatre, meet the team, sit on the bed and they do the spinal. You lie down, chat to the anaesthetist and literally 5 minutes later, you have a baby. They stitch you up whilst you're having photos etc and chatting and then you're wheeling in to recovery with your baby and partner. You stay there for about an hour, have some skin to skin and some cheap white toast and take more pics. Then you're wheeled in to the ward (or private room as my MIL was my midwife and pulled some strings). And then you can't move for a good 12 hours.