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Original poster

Elective C-section (Questions)

38 replies

Babyenroutee · 01/11/2024 09:58

I am due in 9 weeks with my first born, and I am considering putting myself forward for an elective C-Section. I have Epilepsy (CPS) and although I have been seizure-free for a few years now, I don't want to run the risk of triggering seizures again during labour, as mine are triggered by stress and tiredness there is definitely a risk. A consultant for this is already seeing me during my pregnancy so I can discuss this with him. (Wirral NHS)

I have a few questions below I am hoping people might be able to help with / share their experiences:

  • My next appointment with my consultant isn't for another 3.5 weeks. At this point, I will be almost 35 weeks pregnant. Is this too late to request one? (I haven't discussed this with anyone as of yet)
  • Will I need to be referred for further conversations about this or have to 'prove' my case, or should it be quite straightforward considering the epilepsy?
  • Will I likely go in for the c-section at 39 weeks? Or is there a chance it might be scheduled for before/after that point?
  • When will I likely be given my CS appointment? (As in how many weeks in advance of the date will I be given it) And do you just get given a time on the day, or is that given in advance too?
  • Do you have any say on the date of the CS or are you just given a date? I am 39 weeks on the 27th Dec and 40 weeks on the 3rd Jan, so conscious my 39th week is just after Christmas and in between Christmas and NY? - will this make a difference due to staffing levels etc?
  • Can I do skin-to-skin straight after the baby is born via CS?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Babyenroutee · 04/11/2024 15:45

@PlantDoctor I can imagine, I know I would be gutted too but thankfully it all worked out in the end for you :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Babyenroutee · 04/11/2024 16:25

@Whatamitodonow That's great, thank you. I will be 34+5 weeks at that next consultant appointment, so hopefully a few weeks after I will receive my appointment.

OP posts:
Original poster
Babyenroutee · 04/11/2024 16:29

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 04/11/2024 14:56

You don't have a say on thw date they'll do on a weekday on or just after week 39

Ask your midwife now - call them

You might need to do a 'birth choices' appointment so they can be assured you understand the risks but they should let you go ahead - my hospital didn't

Good to know, thank you. I have my midwife appointment on Thursday this week anyway so I will discuss it with her then and see what she suggests.

OP posts:
CrispAppleStrudels · 04/11/2024 16:31

Not Christmas but I was due with DD2 around Easter of this year. My ELCS was booked after my 36w scan showed baby was breech for 39+5 as bank hols / people already booked in meant it couldn't be any closer to 39w, which is when I preferred it to take place. I actually went into labour before then (39+3) and so was told just to make sure I got to the hospital as soon as I thought labour was starting so that the section could take place. So don't worry too much if it gets booked for later rather than earlier - it will just be done as an emergency rather than on the planned date. Can't help with your other questions as when I got to triage, baby had turned so I ended delivering vaginally instead.

Inyournewdress · 04/11/2024 18:46

It should be a straightforward request. 35 weeks is not too late, but that said I would request it earlier, contact your midwife or the specialist and ask for a telephone consultation.

For medical reasons I was not meant to go past 39 weeks but I ended up having my elective at 39+2 with daily monitoring, due to Easter and staff absence! So I think that could well be a factor but the earlier you plan the better I guess. Get yourself on the list.

You will be given a day but on the day the timing will not be predictable, it will depend on how many emergency sections they have to do and even among the electives, the order of medical priority can be constantly changing depending on how people are. We kept being put back for hours and then suddenly someone rushed in and was like, right come on we’re going right now let’s have this baby!

When the baby is born they will take them quickly to check over but then pretty much right away will do skin to skin unless there are any issues requiring attention.

My ELCS was absolutely fine and recovery much less painful than I thought. Good luck and congratulations!

Original poster
Babyenroutee · 18/11/2024 12:10

Inyournewdress · 04/11/2024 18:46

It should be a straightforward request. 35 weeks is not too late, but that said I would request it earlier, contact your midwife or the specialist and ask for a telephone consultation.

For medical reasons I was not meant to go past 39 weeks but I ended up having my elective at 39+2 with daily monitoring, due to Easter and staff absence! So I think that could well be a factor but the earlier you plan the better I guess. Get yourself on the list.

You will be given a day but on the day the timing will not be predictable, it will depend on how many emergency sections they have to do and even among the electives, the order of medical priority can be constantly changing depending on how people are. We kept being put back for hours and then suddenly someone rushed in and was like, right come on we’re going right now let’s have this baby!

When the baby is born they will take them quickly to check over but then pretty much right away will do skin to skin unless there are any issues requiring attention.

My ELCS was absolutely fine and recovery much less painful than I thought. Good luck and congratulations!

Thanks so much this is very helpful! I have my appointment next week to discuss so hopefully we can confirm a date then. Thanks again

OP posts:
Unsure4589 · 18/11/2024 12:54

@Babyenroutee ,

  • Q1 - Ask your midwife now. No harm in being prepared and they can request it whenever.
  • Q2 - I wouldn't worry about proving your case. NICE guidelines state that maternal choice is a valid reason. You can just reiterate that if you get pushback, but imo your anxiety around your epilepsy, and indeed the fact of your epilepsy, is reason enough.
  • Q3 - depends upon clinical need. If you have pre-eclampsia pop up for instance they'll get you in earlier, but I think most trusts won't do an ELCS before 39 weeks. If I go ahead with mine this time, it'll happen at 39+2. I was secretly hoping for 38+6 (20th Dec), but that's a day earlier than guidelines.
  • Q4 - It depends on the trust. I'm 34+2 now and asked my midwife to request an ELCS (just in case I want/need one over a VBAC) two weeks ago. She was glad I'd done that because I'm due 28th Dec and slots may not be easy to come by last min thanks to Christmas week. My date came through a week later (for 23rd Dec).
  • Q5 - Likely to be no say whatsoever re. dates, and you could be bumped for any emergency. I was bumped by a day with DD, but thankfully was told in advance so I didn't wait around at the hospital. At your pre-op assessment they'll tell you what time to go in. But again, that could have no bearing on where you are on the list. With DD, I was told to be in by 7am, and I was either no. 2 or no.3 on the list. She was born at 11:01am, and my section wasn't exactly fast, so I was lucky! I was kept in two nights, but they would've kicked me out after the first had I not experienced severe trapped wind from the section that I needed IV morphine for.
  • Q6 - provided all is well with you and baby, yes, you can. You can also attempt to breastfeed within the first 30 mins too, if that's what you want. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself, though. You could feel a little shaky post-section so it's okay to give yourself a minute. If you have a birth partner, they can also do skin-to-skin in your place, which is beneficial to baby too.

I am hoping and praying that if I do go ahead with the ELCS this time, I'm not bumped. I really don't want to give birth on Christmas Eve, or be in hospital then or Christmas Day. DD will never forgive me!

Good luck, OP!

Original poster
Babyenroutee · 18/11/2024 13:11

Unsure4589 · 18/11/2024 12:54

@Babyenroutee ,

  • Q1 - Ask your midwife now. No harm in being prepared and they can request it whenever.
  • Q2 - I wouldn't worry about proving your case. NICE guidelines state that maternal choice is a valid reason. You can just reiterate that if you get pushback, but imo your anxiety around your epilepsy, and indeed the fact of your epilepsy, is reason enough.
  • Q3 - depends upon clinical need. If you have pre-eclampsia pop up for instance they'll get you in earlier, but I think most trusts won't do an ELCS before 39 weeks. If I go ahead with mine this time, it'll happen at 39+2. I was secretly hoping for 38+6 (20th Dec), but that's a day earlier than guidelines.
  • Q4 - It depends on the trust. I'm 34+2 now and asked my midwife to request an ELCS (just in case I want/need one over a VBAC) two weeks ago. She was glad I'd done that because I'm due 28th Dec and slots may not be easy to come by last min thanks to Christmas week. My date came through a week later (for 23rd Dec).
  • Q5 - Likely to be no say whatsoever re. dates, and you could be bumped for any emergency. I was bumped by a day with DD, but thankfully was told in advance so I didn't wait around at the hospital. At your pre-op assessment they'll tell you what time to go in. But again, that could have no bearing on where you are on the list. With DD, I was told to be in by 7am, and I was either no. 2 or no.3 on the list. She was born at 11:01am, and my section wasn't exactly fast, so I was lucky! I was kept in two nights, but they would've kicked me out after the first had I not experienced severe trapped wind from the section that I needed IV morphine for.
  • Q6 - provided all is well with you and baby, yes, you can. You can also attempt to breastfeed within the first 30 mins too, if that's what you want. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself, though. You could feel a little shaky post-section so it's okay to give yourself a minute. If you have a birth partner, they can also do skin-to-skin in your place, which is beneficial to baby too.

I am hoping and praying that if I do go ahead with the ELCS this time, I'm not bumped. I really don't want to give birth on Christmas Eve, or be in hospital then or Christmas Day. DD will never forgive me!

Good luck, OP!

That is so helpful, thanks so much!

I have an appointment with my consultant on Wednesday next week, I will be 34+5 then, do you think he would give me my appointment that day or will I have to wait for it to come through in the following few weeks?

Also, do you think they would leave me until 39+5 for it or is that too close to my due date?

Thanks again and good luck with your birth :)

OP posts:
Unsure4589 · 18/11/2024 13:31

Babyenroutee · 18/11/2024 13:11

That is so helpful, thanks so much!

I have an appointment with my consultant on Wednesday next week, I will be 34+5 then, do you think he would give me my appointment that day or will I have to wait for it to come through in the following few weeks?

Also, do you think they would leave me until 39+5 for it or is that too close to my due date?

Thanks again and good luck with your birth :)

Show quote history

It's anyone's guess if your consultant will be able to give you a date on the spot. If it's his diary, possibly, but there could be some admin system to navigate and you could easily be done by one of his colleagues due to availability.

I think they do it any time in the 39th week, subject to availability, but it makes sense they'd prefer to avoid you going into labour first, so if there were two days with slots available, they'd plump for the earlier one.

Take care! These things usually work out alright in the end! x

Whatamitodonow · 18/11/2024 14:01

With regard to “maternal choice is reason enough”

while it is in theory, the medical team have a professional responsibility to make sure that choice is an informed one, and you are aware of the risks and benefits.

so you’ll have a much easier time if you go in with your “case” prepared and demonstrate you know the risks and feel the benefits wrt. your medical history warrants the section.

if you go in demanding a section because choice, they will spend time going through the risks and making sure you understand the consequences, which can sometimes feel like they are not accepting your choice.

it’s not, they just have to make you aware.

Original poster
Babyenroutee · 18/11/2024 14:30

Whatamitodonow · 18/11/2024 14:01

With regard to “maternal choice is reason enough”

while it is in theory, the medical team have a professional responsibility to make sure that choice is an informed one, and you are aware of the risks and benefits.

so you’ll have a much easier time if you go in with your “case” prepared and demonstrate you know the risks and feel the benefits wrt. your medical history warrants the section.

if you go in demanding a section because choice, they will spend time going through the risks and making sure you understand the consequences, which can sometimes feel like they are not accepting your choice.

it’s not, they just have to make you aware.

Thanks for this, I definitely wont go in demanding a CS, but do feel that I have a more than valid case with my epilepsy. Especially running the risk of having seizures while looking after a newborn isn't safe. Will see how I get on :) Thanks again

OP posts:
Original poster
Babyenroutee · 18/11/2024 14:31

Unsure4589 · 18/11/2024 13:31

It's anyone's guess if your consultant will be able to give you a date on the spot. If it's his diary, possibly, but there could be some admin system to navigate and you could easily be done by one of his colleagues due to availability.

I think they do it any time in the 39th week, subject to availability, but it makes sense they'd prefer to avoid you going into labour first, so if there were two days with slots available, they'd plump for the earlier one.

Take care! These things usually work out alright in the end! x

Show quote history

Brilliant, thanks so much for your help! :D

OP posts:
Rumblytumblytea · 18/11/2024 19:45

sorry to hijack (tell me to start my own thread if I need to…!)

I had both my first two babies at 38+3 by emergency c sections. Will they still
book me my elective third c section at 39+

im almost certain I won’t make it to 39 weeks I just have this feeling my body is just DONE at around 38. I knew it was going to happen the second time it did. It was identical

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