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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

C section - petrified

26 replies

pinkelephant22 · 14/08/2025 00:07

As above really. Baby was booked for Elective c section next week as she was measuring on the 3rd centile. Also had prior c section with first daughter. They can’t seem to find a reason why she’s so small they’ve just said placental insufficiency as it stands but will have more testing once she’s here.

we went for our scan today and she’s dropped even lower on the centile chart so my c section is now for tomorrow morning (today if it’s past midnight by the time I post)

I am actually frightened. Can’t stop thinking of all the possible complications, will she not cry when she’s delivered will something happen will all the alarms be pulled what will I do? Will she be taken to NICU and I’ll be unable to be with her, she’s going to be around total strangers. I’m the only person in the world she knows and we’ve been together for 37 weeks and in a few hours time we may be apart from each other for the first time.

OP posts:
DoctorMarten · 14/08/2025 00:14

You’ll be in good hands and she will get any support she needs but will hopefully be absolutely fine! My child was born at 37 weeks by c section and was small so I was worried but all was well.

Today is your baby’s birthday! Take each moment as it comes 🫶

RosesAndHellebores · 14/08/2025 00:25

If it is placental insufficiency, she's better out than in and if they thought it was an emergency, she'd have been delivered immediately.

The chances are it's a precaution. If they hit the emergency buzzer, it means experts come running.

If she doesn't cry immediately, they'll get her going. If she needs some extra care, she'll go.to SCBU or NICU where the care she needs will be available.

If she's with strangers fkr the first few hours it's because they have clinical skills that you do not and that she may need

Chances are it will be fine and she'll be in your arms quite soon. If not, she'll be getting the care she needs.

DS1 spent his first night in SCBU, he was with me by about 6.45am I think. It was fine. He never knew.

Get some sleep and try to relax for the baby, because if it all goes swimmingly tomorrow which it likely will, you'll need your strength.

Original poster
pinkelephant22 · 14/08/2025 05:58

Ah thank you, really I know all the above is true but is quite difficult to think straight - it’s just nice to hear reassurance

OP posts:
MissScarletInTheBallroom · 14/08/2025 06:13

My son was unexpectedly born on the 3rd centile, probably due to undiagnosed placental insufficiency. It was an emergency C-section after a failed induction, when his heart rate kept dropping. They later said that his small size probably meant he didn't have the strength to cope with a long labour.

His APGAR scores were 10 at 1 and 5 minutes and he didn't need any medical attention at all. After a few months of breastfeeding he looked like a sumo wrestler.

Hope it all goes well for you today.

Destiny123 · 14/08/2025 06:25

pinkelephant22 · 14/08/2025 00:07

As above really. Baby was booked for Elective c section next week as she was measuring on the 3rd centile. Also had prior c section with first daughter. They can’t seem to find a reason why she’s so small they’ve just said placental insufficiency as it stands but will have more testing once she’s here.

we went for our scan today and she’s dropped even lower on the centile chart so my c section is now for tomorrow morning (today if it’s past midnight by the time I post)

I am actually frightened. Can’t stop thinking of all the possible complications, will she not cry when she’s delivered will something happen will all the alarms be pulled what will I do? Will she be taken to NICU and I’ll be unable to be with her, she’s going to be around total strangers. I’m the only person in the world she knows and we’ve been together for 37 weeks and in a few hours time we may be apart from each other for the first time.

Obs anaesthetist. Its really really common for csection babies not to cry initally, their lungs are more soggy than baby's squished out the normal route. The midwives give them a good rub and they'll cry. If the midwives have concerns they'll call the baby drs. We use fast pages often as it's immediately audible from our bleeps and gets quicker attendance than waiting for the individual to find a landline and call back. Its common and not something to worry about, we'd much rather come to something quickly and be told all is fine on arrival. The midwives will tell you re nicu, everywhere I've worked they've let the birth partner go with bub to nicu, occasionally they ask for 20mins to settle them in then come. As soon as you feel up to it they'll wheel you round in your bed or a wheelchair and put you next to the cot. Try not to worry x

LER2023 · 14/08/2025 06:38

If a csection is necessary, dont worry about her not being with you straight away, i mean during a vaginal birth, they usually whisk them away for measurements and testing and stuff so really baby doesnt see you first thing, they see professionals. But she wont remember that. She will go on to remember all the times that you were there for her birthdays and Christmas's, through heartaches and friendship losses, changes in her life. If she needs to go to NICU, its the best place for her with exceptional medical help and assistance.
Just remain calm, you will get to spend the rest of your life showing how much you love her.

Try to relax and today will be over and done with in a matter of hours, you'll soon have your precious baby in your arms. Good luck OP X

JollyRoseBiscuit · 14/08/2025 06:41

Good luck today, hope everything goes well for you both xx

Plinketyplonky · 14/08/2025 06:54

My DD was induced, then emergency c section because she was very small. She was full term, but on the 0.4th centile (5lb 1oz). I had the same thoughts as you are having now - will she be able to come home, will she be able to feed probably etc.

She was born with an apgar score of 9/10, healthy as an ox, but just small. She stayed tiny for the first year, gradualy caught up to the 50% centile when she was about 4, and was on the 91st centile by the time she was 8!

Wishing you all the best today, and hopefully some of the stories shared her will gove you some comfort

Feliciacat · 14/08/2025 06:54

Good luck and congratulations! I just had an antenatal class last night regarding c sections. It can be really normal for c section babies to not cry due to fluid being in their lungs. It can also be normal for them to need a short stay in nicu due to breathing issues. At 37 weeks, your little one’s lungs should be developed enough to get through this though. As a PP said, it’s just because they don’t get the muck squeezed out of their lungs as it would be during vaginal delivery.

I’m having a c section too albeit not for the same reasons as you. I accept it’s not necessarily as ideal as an uncomplicated vaginal birth but the medical staff have the best interests of the baby at heart. I hope it goes well for you and your little girl.

Cinaferna · 14/08/2025 06:57

I hope everything goes well for you. DS2 (elective cesarean due to positioning) was also very low centile and dropped below 1% after birth for several weeks. He's a thriving happy, successful (still slightly built) adult now and his health is fine.

Iocainepowder · 14/08/2025 07:02

I’m sure you’ll get lots of positive stories op. My DC1 was also small because my placenta had been failing (i went to 42 weeks) and i had EMCS. Like a PP, his scores were great, no medical attention needed. And he is now huge.

Focus on it being a really positive thing that the birth is happening today, as that is what your daughter needs.

triballeader · 14/08/2025 07:04

DD was symmetrically under the 0.4th centile. (Drs thought they were doing a c/sec at 37 weeks but she was 42 on delivery)Yes she cried albeit a smaller sound than a far bigger baby. Yes she needed help at birth as she went into hyperthermia shock from being so small. Staff from NNICU were there for delivery with extra soon after but they were ready for that and had her in a neotherm pretty fast. Was moved to transitional care later using a heated crib. DD was suspected of having silver-russel and had a bit of a rough ride due to severe failure to thrive. Most small babies are simply small and thrive.

If your Drs are advising delivery your baby will be safer out than in, a peadiatric an is normally in theatre for the baby and staff from NNICU are quickly there for babies who really need them.

Hope all goes well for you both.

PlanBFertility · 14/08/2025 07:21

Good luck ❤️❤️

RosesAndHellebores · 14/08/2025 07:27

@pinkelephant22 hope all.goes well today. Please come back and tell us all about it and all about the wonderful baby you are going to have today. Everything crossed for a safe and happy delivery.

Dandelionsand4leafclover · 14/08/2025 08:22

Best wishes for today 🥰 x

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 14/08/2025 08:26

Good luck OP! I had an EMCS last year with DS after an induction. It was a bit traumatic at the end because DS’s heart rate had dropped drastically and I was haemorrhaging. I was put under GA so I didn’t physically see or hold DS until he was about 6 hours old. DH only got handed him to give him a bottle after a couple of hours. It’s something I still think about now because I’ll never get that time back with him.

However, I know this is just me beating myself up. He is the sweetest, most loving boy and his attachment to me and DH is as strong as we experienced with his older sisters.

If your baby does need a bit of extra care, it will all be fine and the bond will still be there. The professionals know that what’s best for baby is usually skin to skin with mum so they will do what they can to achieve that.

Original poster
pinkelephant22 · 14/08/2025 20:26

She’s here ❤️ thank you so much as really kept me going until the surgery. There were 3 of us in the queue and as the other 2 mums were diabetic they went first. She was born at 11:40. so spent some time putting the frighteners on myself but then this forum really has helped.

I was terrified, the set up is just as daunting waiting for the spinal block to work (took a little while ended up being tilted backwards for some time)

she was born - curtain dropped, her tiny head and body poked out as I saw her trying to cry. She came to me for skin to skin and urinated all over me on her arrival! And was able to cough up the contents of her lungs. She was 5lb 3 oz and we’re staying here for 3-5 days. Her sugar levels have remained stable thus far. Breastfeeding hasn’t worked - she’s tiny my breast and their shape it’s just not working well tried for hours and I was concerned so I’d harvested some colostrum for her and did some feeding with a syringe.

thank you all so much x

OP posts:
PlanBFertility · 14/08/2025 20:27

Massive massive congratulations ❤️❤️

deeahgwitch · 14/08/2025 20:42

Delighted for you @pinkelephant22
Congratulations 💕

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 14/08/2025 22:08

Congratulations OP! You did brilliantly!

Ask to see a BFing supporter whilst you’re in and they’ll be able to help you get feeding going.

pushthebuttonnn · 14/08/2025 22:12

Congratulations! So glad to hear it all went smoothly for you 💕

CosySeal · 14/08/2025 22:21

Congratulations, I have been checking in throughout the day to see how you were. Enjoy your family

RosesAndHellebores · 14/08/2025 23:04

Congratulations! So glad she arrived safely.

The best type of milk for the baby is the milk that feeds them. If you can bf, you can; if it doesn't work out, formula is fine. It isn't worth stressing over imo.

caringcarer · 14/08/2025 23:39

After 2 perfectly normal pregnancies and births my third DC was an elective c section as he grew so big and then he got in distress. I was very scared but honestly he was my easiest birth of all. I was awake but behind a green cloth and he was born with in 3 minutes and 3 1/2 weeks early at 9lb 6. If he'd have been full term he'd have been about 11lb. I healed really quickly and was walking next day. Home 3 days later because my Mum was going to care for me and my DC.

mondaytosunday · 14/08/2025 23:50

My second baby went straight to NICU. Yes it was very hard and she had a tube feeding her for the few days but I still managed to breastfeed her after that (actually breastfed her for a year). She was large not small though. But they get the best care in NICU and if that’s where your baby needs to be that’s the best place. She may not need to even go.

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