Elective section - when are they usually?

[HappyGoLucky31]

Hi all,

Baby #2 is due 8th March 2025 and for number of reasons, I’ve opted for a caeserean this time after an emergency one last time.

The impression is that they are usually before a baby’s due date but how far in advance do you think it could be?

I have an appointment with a consultant and a scan on 13th February, presumably to talk about the surgery and plan a date.

thanks in advance ❤️

Mine was bang on 39 weeks, they wanted as close to 39 weeks as possible between 39-40 weeks is standard (here anyway)

Normally in the 39th week where i am

I had my ELCS at 39+5. Straightforward low risk pregnancy.

Depends on your history of onset of labour and previous sections etc.
In my trust it is 38-39 if it is planned, no dramatic history and previous labour started 40+.
I had full rupture at 37w and they suggested my planned section should be 36-37w if all is ok. And that is considered VERY relaxed for my case.

39 weeks on the dot. I was shocked that my hospital had a red diary with a sticker on it saying ELCS diary to be honest!

39+5 here, without any concerns it's normally between 39-40 weeks.

39 weeks for mine!

39 weeks all things being well.

in terms of time of day… mine were done and dusted before midday both times

39-40 weeks. I've had 2 electives and they were 39+3 and 39+4. I got to pick the date both times, was cool choosing their birthday (I prefer odd numbers so chose based on that!!) 🤣

This might be a silly question but what ruptured?

Only asking because I have had a csection with my first at 35+0 (due to preeclampsia) and I’m pregnant again. So slightly worried about the scar this time since I never reached full term last time.

My first DC was breech.

ECS seven days before due date or the nearest date to it as the hospital only do ECS on a Monday or Thursday!

In fact, we then moved the date four days earlier still ( can you believe, because my DM was going abroad before the first date given).

Hospital were certainly quite relaxed about the date!

It is rarely before 39 weeks here unless there’s a clinical indication, as research shows the risk of admission to neonatal unit is significantly higher if having a caesarean before this gestation

Booked for exactly 39 weeks for both. As it happened, my waters broke at 38 weeks with my first so ended up having a c-section that day instead. I just called to tell them my waters had broken and they told me to come in.

DD2 was breech and when I tried to book my ELCS at 36w, then earliest available date was 39+5, which was a bit late for my liking. I actually went into labour before the c section (DD2 had turned so I had a vaginal birth in the end). So if you know you def want / need a c section, I'd ask to have your consultant / birth options meeting a bit earlier (my first one discussion about it was at 28w) and get a date in the diary.

39 weeks with my second - told this was better for development for lungs of baby. Had to be a C section as baby refused to move from transverse lie.

Usually exactly 39 weeks unless that falls on a Saturday/ Sunday in which case +2/ -2 days

Weirdly enough both my daughters were born at exactly 39 weeks 1st by emergency c-section after a 4 day failed induction and the other by elective c-section and they both weighed exactly the same 6lb 8oz

They gave me a choice of 38+6 or 39 exactly

38+5 here. I had no choice on the date.

I was scheduled for 39 weeks. There were several emergencies that morning so we were rebooked for 39+5 with instructions that if I went into labour before that I could contact them immediately.

I was called at 16 weeks and the call went like this.

hi, it's blah nurse calling from blah blah hospital, have you given any though to how you'd like to deliver your baby?

yes, I think I want to opt for an elective c-section given the problems I had last time

that's absolutely fine, how does blah blah date sound?

perfect

okay lovely, I'll schedule that in for you and we will send a letter to confirm.

it was weird choosing my date 5 months in advance 😂

All four of mine were sections but no 4 was the only planned one and was at 37+5. I think that was slightly earlier than normal due to it being a 4th section and them not wanting me to go into labour.

I had uterus rupture during trial of labour.
It is very unlikely anything will happen to a scar unless you try giving birth. Even then chances are 0.5% or less for rupture.

Thanks so much for your replies everyone. Just nice to have a date to aim for so that I can think about when mat leave might start/my world is getting turned on its head again 😂😂

Am excited to have a Spring Baby as DS was born last October 🌝

Ah okay. I’m still unsure whether to opt for a csection or see if labour starts. Not due until April so there’s time to decide. The consultant said 1/200 chance of a rupture if it happens naturally, 1/100 with induction. So I have ruled out induction already.