Would you have ELCS at 39+1 or 39+5?

[agoldcup]

Baby is tracking along the 35th centile however I know that the NHS dated me almost a week ahead at my 12 week scan (to an impossible date).

On the one hand I am exhausted and so desperate to meet baby but I’m worried about the 39+1 date knowing that really they will only be 38+3 at that point. (Given the research about ELCS babies born in the 38th week.)

I can’t decide?!

I just had one for a second centile baby born at 37wks on the dot (they wanted him out no later than that) so both your gestations sound fine tbh! Are you worried about going into natural labour with the later date? You still won't be 40wks so if the possible date disparity is causing you concern then maybe just wait those extra days?

Thank you, I really am on the fence!

I think I'd go for 39+5 (and presumably if labour starred before then, then they'd take you for section that day anyway)

Thanks both. I’ve gone for 39+5 but now scaring myself about the stats for over 40s and things going wrong after 39 weeks…

What is the research on ELCS in the 38th week? I thought anything from 38 weeks was considered 'term' ?

I think it would depend for me the reason for the c section. Are you completely elective or is there a medical indication?

37+ weeks is considered term for vaginal births. But for c-sections, they aren’t done before 39 weeks as there is a significantly higher risk of breathing difficulties.

I was 42 and would choose 39 + 5 all day.

You think you're exhausted now....

I was told I can have a vaginal birth but it would be “safer” for me to have a CS. I have a number of risk factors - over 40, quite a lot of previous gynae issues, thyroid issues etc. But also - I wanted a CS anyway so it was no bother for me to agree to one.

@Pistachiochiochio please tell me more! 😁 Why would you go for the later date?

Longer for the baby to get ready to come out.

I would go for the later date simply as I had an elective at 39+3 and my daughter had breathing issues, but I'm unsure if that was related to gestation or simply because it was a caesaerian IYSWIM

I had one at 39+1. I have mixed feelings about having it so early. In hindsight, my placenta was more degraded than they expected so I suspect it was probably better to get him out. But he was quite tiny and still is now he's 5 (neither family is small so he's smaller than we would have expected). He had a bit of a shock coming out too and was unresponsive for the first few mins but he perked up quickly. I suspect if I'd gone for a vaginal birth, he'd have stayed in until 41/2 weeks. But all in all, it probably wouldn't have made that much difference. I mainly went for 39+1 as I really liked my consultant and she only did surgery on a Friday.

Oh wow. I didn't know that.

My trust book 39 weeks as standard for ELCS but mine was brought forward about 10 days due to developing pre-eclampsia (luckily baby had no issues at all and we were discharged 24 hours after the section).

Secund pregnancy ill be 42 and they've booked me in for 38 weeks!

Mine was 39+4; they were willing to book from 39w + but owing to bank holiday weekend (no electives), it was earliest possible date.