Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Stressed about ELCS date at 40+5

7 replies

Sunrays22 · 26/08/2025 14:44

Hi,

Just looking for some reassurance really! Currently just over 37 weeks pregnant with second DC and due to my hospital trust having no availability for ELCS at (up to the recommended) 39 weeks + 6 days they've booked me in for 40 weeks + 5 days which I'm now feeling terrified about.

Due to anxiety and some previous health issues, I had an ELCS with my first DC at 39 weeks however since then we have moved under a different hospital Trust.
Since my booking appointment I've told them I intend to have another ELCS and I went in for my consultant appointment last week expecting to be given the date only to be told all the slots at both hospitals within my Trust are full and as I'm 'low risk' they've booked me in for 40+5. I'm feeling incredibly anxious and stressed and like I'm going to end up having an emergency c-section if DC2 comes earlier than this date.

Has anyone else experienced this or have any advice? I've complained today via the Trust PALS service but I'm now that stressed by the whole thing I'm considering transferring back to the Trust I had DC1 at (if this is even possible this late into my pregnancy!)

OP posts:
DownWhichOfLate · 26/08/2025 15:15

If you go in to labour before your scheduled c section they will bring it forwards, so don’t worry! I was booked in for 39 weeks but my water broke at 37 weeks so I had my c section then.

Echomama · 26/08/2025 15:20

I may be wrong, but baby starts their arrival before your elcs, and you're low risk with no other factors during labour, they wouldn't offer an emergency Cs?
40+5 is still relatively early, very possible still that baby won't want to come on their own before then.
Theoretically you can change trusts at any time, but the reality of it is it may be tricky if you're in a different cachement area and how busy they are too.
If you've got a lot of anxiety about this, have you considered going private?

Original poster
Sunrays22 · 26/08/2025 15:28

DownWhichOfLate · 26/08/2025 15:15

If you go in to labour before your scheduled c section they will bring it forwards, so don’t worry! I was booked in for 39 weeks but my water broke at 37 weeks so I had my c section then.

Thanks, how was your experience of this if you don't mind me asking?
I'm scared if my waters break or I go into labour before my scheduled date it's more like an 'emergency' section

OP posts:
Original poster
Sunrays22 · 26/08/2025 15:32

Echomama · 26/08/2025 15:20

I may be wrong, but baby starts their arrival before your elcs, and you're low risk with no other factors during labour, they wouldn't offer an emergency Cs?
40+5 is still relatively early, very possible still that baby won't want to come on their own before then.
Theoretically you can change trusts at any time, but the reality of it is it may be tricky if you're in a different cachement area and how busy they are too.
If you've got a lot of anxiety about this, have you considered going private?

I'm very much hoping DC2 will stay put past due date but I'm very anxious about going into labour beforehand. The consultant advised if I do go into labour they'd still get me in for c section but it would be as an 'emergency' section - it doesn't fill me with much hope though when from my first booking appointment I've requested an ELCS. I feel like they're just waiting for me to go into labour!

Haven't considered private (in terms of the finances side!) but I will definitely have a look at options!

OP posts:
IsThisLifeNow · 26/08/2025 15:32

Please don't worry. I was given a date of 40+1, but waters broke at home at 38+4 I think, baby was large and breech so I was taken in as an emergency, but it was all super chilled out and a good experience, best of luck!

Marmite1992 · 26/08/2025 18:08

If you go into labour, go straight to the hospital and tell them you're booked for elective c section and would like to have the section and not labour. They will do your section, it's classed as a category 3 which means really low emergency i.e if someone is having a real emergency they go first and you have to wait a bit and the paeds team are obliged to attend your c section (bonus I think to check baby)! So don't worry it's not an emergency with them running you into theatre, it will be really chill. I had one last Sunday!

Original poster
Sunrays22 · 26/08/2025 18:26

Marmite1992 · 26/08/2025 18:08

If you go into labour, go straight to the hospital and tell them you're booked for elective c section and would like to have the section and not labour. They will do your section, it's classed as a category 3 which means really low emergency i.e if someone is having a real emergency they go first and you have to wait a bit and the paeds team are obliged to attend your c section (bonus I think to check baby)! So don't worry it's not an emergency with them running you into theatre, it will be really chill. I had one last Sunday!

This makes me feel a lot better, thank you ☺️

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread