No slots for c section

[Colourfulltrees]

I got a call to say there are no slots for my c section and they saying about induction? What would you do? I am 38 weeks Sunday. Mentally not coping very well.

@Colourfulltrees assuming you would prefer a c section I would keep ringing and check about slots. Tell them about your mental health as well.

Yes I wpuld prefer it at the minute due to trauma and mental health issues and also want to be sterilised however they were pushing me into induction and saying nothing more they can do. I have been advised to go to GP tomorrow as not coping well at.minute.

No slots for how long? And why are they reccomending c-section at 38 weeks? Could you hold off until a slot becomes available or perhaps try another hospital? X

She didn't say. It's c section from 39 weeks. I have low papp-a, so the consultant advised me of 39/40 weeks, but the lady told me they have a huge number of requests to get through.

Surely elective c sections are booked in advance? Mine was booked in months ago for a certain date. The only way there would be no slots on a certain day if a lot of emergencies came in, but then you'd be moved to the next day instead?

Are there any other hospitals you can call?

No advice about the date but would check the wait list for seperate sterilization as the success rate if you have it whilst having a c section is lower

A huge number of “elective” c sections are driven by constrained choices and in response to problems that may arise fairly late in pregnancy. I was an elective decision but I only agreed to have one the day before.

Am I able to.do that do I just call any hospital

I'd be ringing back up and asking how long it would be before you could get booked in for one, or if there's a possibility to ring up each morning once you reach 39 weeks and see if there's a same day slot?

That's basically what I have to do when I'm induced, ring on the morning and see if there's a slot for me x

Ring back tomorrow and ask to speak to the antenatal/inpatient matron. Point out you have been told that it’s medically necessary for your baby to be born at 39 weeks. That you do not wish an induction/vaginal birth. Ask them what they intend to do to ensure the safety of your baby. Ask them if they can liaise with other hospitals if necessary to get a slot somewhere else…..and yes you can change hospital but these things don’t always happen quickly and time is ticking I guess. Contact PALS if necessary.

Absolute keep pushing for it and also seeing another hospital can take you. But, if they don’t have space, they don’t have space, I’m not sure what they can do in that situation.

You can ask them if there are any other hospitals they can refer you to in your trust.

I'm in the south and west Yorkshire trust and if my preferred hospital had no slots I could have been transferred to a different one like Rotherham or Barnsley.

If they don't have space they can help you find somewhere that does.

Ok thanks I will call tomrorow and ask them this.

Thanks I have written all this down and will call then tomtorow

Sounds like you need to advocate for yourself. Be clear you want the section

Yes your right I thibk I keep getting persuaded now I feel like an idiot cause I hope they don't thibk I want the induction now. It should be ok to ring tomorrow and make it clear I don't want a induction

It’s always crazy busy this time of year. Nobody wants a baby Xmas Eve, Xmas day, etc. so everyone I’d wangling for early inductions and sections. Not saying you OP……..but people who maybe have a due date of Xmas day and the few days beyond will suddenly decide having a section at 39 weeks sounds preferable to being in labour on Xmas day so start requesting a section. And the slots fill up which means no slots left for people who need them.

In the past as a senior midwife I’ve gone through the section book and moved people back. So if someone had a section booked at 39 weeks on the 21st of Dec but didn’t have low Papp-a I’d ring them and tell them I was moving their section to the 24th of Dec or 27th of Dec when they might be 40 weeks but them going to 40 weeks isn’t as bad as you going to 40 weeks. But it’s not usual practice to move people once they have a slot and it upsets people and someone has to make that decision that it needs doing.

I needed an elective c-section for medical reasons but there wasn't any appointments for when I needed it.

I was told that I'd use the emergency c-section team if they were available (for those who need a c-section during a vaginal birth). I'd just have to turn up on the morning and hope they were free (not ideal). It turned out they had a cancellation and I got an appointment but could this be an option?

Can they urgently refer you to another local hospital?

@Colourfulltrees I was thinking about you today wondering if you had received your date. Sorry to hear this is happening.
Mine has finally been booked in for early next week, but I had to chase the hospital up, despite my elective being clinically necessary and the referral being done months ago. The lady I spoke to said they are snowed under atm with lots of women requesting last minute electives, so everyone who should be prioritised is being lumped in with being given last minute dates.
I would push back and say your consultant has advised it's medically necessary for you to have a c section, so this is something they should be trying to fit you in for, not trying to push induction or just telling you to call in every day.

@Colourfulltrees don't feel like that, not your fault, it's so hard and they have so much more information than we do! Even if you had agreed to it you're entitled to change your mind even at the last minute so don't worry z just keep advocating

I would try other hospitals nearby

It’s so ridiculous, our health service is in such a state! If they incentivised out healthcare staff to pick up extra working during surges I’m sure the could facilitate! But trusts just accept and everyone else suffers.

I am pleased you finally got a date I hope everything goes well 💕