Would they allow a high risk pregnancy to have c section after 40 weeks?

[Cleadu]

I’m exactly 39 weeks + 2 days today. I am high risk and from day one have been consultant led. I was given the option of induction or c section and chose the c section early on.
i was consistently told I would be given 10 days notice for the section date. This was in writing, by consultants, midwives etc
only when my husband rang around they stated that’s not the case. All they had to do was not tell me ten days as it’s caused worry and confusion.

I have been told I will not have a c section on the weekend or the bank holiday so by process of elimination that gives me the dates of
21st and 22nd this week but I haven’t heard anything.

I am now thinking they won’t do my c section in my 39th week even though I am classed as high risk.
does anyone know or have experience of this happening? Ie a high risk pregnancy having a c section pushed to 40 weeks?

it’s causing me anxiety. I was repeatedly told I have to have either a c section or induction in my 39th week. It wasn’t my choice but its obviously worried me as the medical staff empathised the 39 weeks so much!

my midwife hasn’t got very far with the hospital and there is no one to help. I feel worried and anxious.

any thoughts or experiences would be great!

That’s frustrating, I’m sorry! Can you get hold of the hospital CS bookings team any other way, or have your midwife chase it up? There are other ways also (ie turn up to triage with either contractions or decreased movements) but I guess that shouldn’t have to be the first step!
do you mind if I ask why you’re classed as high risk? And if you’ve had a CS before? It would change a little bit how much of a “problem” it would be if you went into labour before planned CS date and perhaps help with advice.
good luck - and not long to go before you meet your baby now whatever happens!

It totally depends on why you’re high risk where we are anyway- I’ve known lots of people who are high risk have their elective sections in the 40th week even.

Thank you so much for replying 💓
my midwife even said just turn up and demand one due to my ‘anxiety’ but I can’t face doing that. I think I’ll have to speak to my midwife again, maybe today and push it again.
its so hard though when you’re heavily pregnant, I almost can’t take the additional mental gymnastics.

im high risk due to a rare autoimmune disorder that effects my blood and also my age (42).
i also have inflammatory bowel disease so a vaginal birth is ok but due to problems with my bowel I have a higher risk of tears and fistula’s.

this is my first baby.

my midwife asked the booking team to phone me but silence so far.

it’s the fact the consultants kept insisting on 39 weeks so now I’m left panicking after that will be dangerous (realistically I know it comes with a slight risk).

if I think positively it has been a healthy pregnancy and baby is doing well. She is growing and active. I have a higher risk of growth restriction and placenta issues such as pre eclampsia but that’s all ok

Yes that’s very true. I think the consultants shouldn’t be stating 39 weeks as a definite if it doesn’t happen. They should give a heads up that if you are not getting into any pregnancy issues 40 weeks might be a possibility

Hey, sorry you’re in limbo. Very frustrating- especially so close to the finish line!!

Can I ask what blood issue you have? This is my second baby, and my bloods have been haywire this time around again - I’ve been described as a puzzle as they have no idea why my LFTs are so poor (had it with first baby too- was induced at 37wks due to this).

I have Antiphospholipid syndrome so I can’t carry a baby without medical intervention. Luckily the pregnancy has been smooth.

I did speak to the midwife team….useless….they said I’ll end up having an emergency c section if I go into labour! And I could easily go into 40 weeks!
I explained I’m high risk and that I have always been told 39 weeks but she was like well I don’t know your medical history.

my husband managed to speak to the hospital and guess what….because I’m under the care of three different consultants not one of them has taken responsibility to get my c section date sorted so I’ve fallen through the cracks.
There is also the issue because of my meds that delay any c section so they can’t just do it with 24-48hrs notice as I have to be off my meds.

ive been told now that I should have been given a date a while back due to always being consultant led.

we are now waiting for one of the consultants to call us back this afternoon 🙏

My bloods for my liver have also been insane! I got given a scan appointment to check my liver but it was on my due date so I declined.
have you pushed for an ultrasound to check your liver and for gallstones?

Hope you get the call back asap this afternoon. What a stressful nightmare!!

I’ve had a liver scan (all clear) and don’t have a gallbladder (that flared up during last pregnancy and then was removed). ALT this weeks test was 400+.

Consultants have no idea and I hate feeling like I’m left in the unknown. Sorry to jump in on this but saw your mention of bloods and wondered if it might be similar to this.

I’ve had a look at the full thread and read one of your comments about you not wanting to demand anything because of your anxiety but as a mum who advocated myself for my c section at 39 weeks I promise you that putting yourself and baby first is well worth it even if you think you can’t speak up. Don’t sit there and wait for someone to tell you when YOUR birth will be. If you want a c section due to being high risk and for whatever reason plus your consultant led don’t let them continue to palm you off.

I think it’s a joke that they won’t do your section on the bank holiday or weekend… I feel like they are just passing the buck around.

Advocate for yourself, speak up and if they try and say “you’ll just have to wait until you go into labour” you tell them that you’re not happy and you want to be seen asap.

you need 24-48 hours off your meds fine, you want to be put in for Friday.

You need to really push and self advocate.

I needed one by 37 weeks and my delivery was 37+3 (due to the weekend and failings in care) by which time after delivery they found the placenta had calcified and we were on borrowed time. Thankfully all was ok, but could have been a very different story. I say this because it’s only with hindsight I wish I’d been firmer and been less ‘agreeable’ which actually risked my babies life.

If those who know best have at been clear about 39 weeks then do all you can to get him/her out then. They don’t say these things for the sake of it. You don’t want any regrets and sadly you are your baby’s best advocate and even clear instructions from consultants aren’t enough to make sure the action is actually followed.

Really hope you hear from them this afternoon with a date!

No news. If we don’t hear back by tomorrow morning then we are going in person to the hospital to force a consultant to speak to me.
My husband is very calm but can be really assertive and ballsy when required.

my dad is a retired consultant (not obstetrics) and he’s the calmest, most knowledgeable but chilled person and he’s furious. My dad rarely if ever gets angry but he’s shocked at the level of disregard for my and my baby’s health. When my dad is saying he is concerned that’s the time to worry
He’s told me to go there in person with my hospital bag and not leave until I get a plan.

I can’t actually imagine how awful it would be if I didn’t have the support of my husband and dad to tell me I have to push. Or English was my second language or I didn’t have the means to get to the hospital 😪Being pregnant you’re so vulnerable as it is.

Not quite the same I know, but I was told that I needed to come in for an induction that night, too risky to wait till tomorrow etc etc. Obvs when I got there the labour suite was full, so I had a horrible night on the ward, then induction the next morning 🙄

If you're worried, then I would follow your midwife and your dad's advice and go in. You don't need to shout and stamp your feet, but calmly and firmly advocate for yourself and your baby. As he says, go in with your bag packed and ideally with your partner or a friend to support you, and stand your ground 💛

(and I would suggest going in first thing, ideally at 7, so they can figure out how to fit you in during the day)

Would a consultant be available this evening? I’d almost be tempted to go in?

I would take my bag and attend hospital - labour ward or call before attending and say you’re anxious and worried and even in pain. This is such a disgrace that nothing has been planned for you.
ive had 1 emergency section and two planned, first planned was at exactly 39 weeks and second was at 37 weeks.
I hope this gets sorted for you soon, good luck x

Could you call booking line?
I’ve had mine since 20 weeks but they called last week to book me in for my pre op tomorrow for my C-section next Friday.

Unfortunately there is no booking line. I emailed the CARes team …the c section team with a really thorough clear email outlining the conversation this morning and what I expect.

sent email only to get an out of office until the 31st of August!

thank you everyone for your kind, supportive words. It means a lot especially knowing I’m in the right and not being dramatic.

im hoping tomorrow I get further but I will be going in in person if it’s not resolved by the morning x

Gosh how stressful, you’ve been treated really badly. I hope you get answers tomorrow x

Can you call MAU and speak to the senior matron or ask them to discuss it with the consultants on shift?

Good luck today in getting it sorted, I’ve been thinking of you overnight!

Oh I hope it’s today!!! Good luck x

This is a disgrace if I'm honest! I'm a Midwife and APS is no joke. It's not your fault that the consultants (3!!!) haven't been organised enough to get a date for you. I know it can be hard to advocate for yourself, I found it difficult in pregnancy too. But you're the only one who's going to do it for yourself and your baby! I would go into the hospital. You need a date to know when to safely stop your anticoagulants. I would be going in if it were me. Best of luck getting a plan sorted x

Hope all is well and you got your CS sorted!