Did they book C section earlier or later than due date?

[hoohaal]

Having an elective C section in the next few months.

The hospital only carry out elective sections on a Friday.

The options would either be 6 days before I’m due, or 1 day late.

Do they normally prefer to wait until the baby is that little bit older? Appreciate it’s probably more likely based on whether they are already fully booked on a certain date!

What are other people’s experiences? Did they book you in earlier or later for your c section?

It depends on the reason for the section & also the reasons for any other sections that day & any emergencies at my hospital.

If you just have one because you want one then you’d be behind those with a medical need in the queue on the day, and then those with a medical need would be behind any emergencies on the day too.

@Jellybunny56Ah, thank you! That makes total sense! X

Additional medical factors notwithstanding usually they try to do it when you’re 39 weeks because that’s safest for baby since you’re at term but still before your due date so less chance of you going into labour first. So hopefully they’ll have space for you on that Friday 6 days before when you’re 39+1. Mine were at 39+0 and 38+6, the earlier one being because 39+0 fell on a Saturday and electives were only done on weekdays so I got to choose between the Friday at 38+6 or the Monday at 39+2 and I picked the earlier date.

Out of interest when did the booking teams for electives contact you to book in the date? I’m 20 weeks so am guessing it won’t be for a while? Thanks

I’m having an elective for my second as I had an emcs for my first and I’ve been told I won’t have a date until 37 weeks.

I was booked in at 39+5, I got the feeling they wanted to put it off as much as possible as I didn't "need" one (despite a previous 3rd degree tear and PPH). As it happened, I went into labour at 38+5 so ended up having it done as an emergency

Before! Especially if there are loads of emergencies and you get pushed to the next day.

I was earlier. Due 19th feb, taken for section 14th. Previous section. Good luck! I preferred the planned one.

I am waiting for mine just now. Due 21st October, section booked 14th October (39 weeks), got given date at consultant appointment on 14th September. Hope that helps!

I was exactly 39 weeks, they said they wouldn't leave it any longer than that due to the risk of me going into labour naturally.

I’m having an elective. Haven’t got my date yet I’m 31 weeks. But they said I will have the section at 38 weeks

I had mine at 39+0. I got to chose any day from 39+0 onwards so I chose 39+0. I think I chose it at around 32 weeks along but it could have been a bit earlier.

Two planned sections, one was during the festive period which affected suitable dates. Both were a few days early.

Can I ask what dates you got and when you were due? I am due on Boxing Day and hoping not to be in hospital on Christmas Day!

@Pinkstuffs if you are due boxing day you're section will be the week before at 39 weeks. I'd see if they can push you a couple of days earlier so your a bit more recovered and can enjoy the day a bit but they will probably want this too as will not be wanting planned sections on Xmas day/ boxing day etc as tend to have less staff x

Depends why you are having one, I think. But they try to avoid you going into labour. But then again you could get bumped if an emergency turns up.

You could ask what happens if you go over 40 weeks, do they break their Fridays only rule or refer you to another hospital?

I had an emcs at dead on 40 weeks. Ds wasn't ready, he needed a bit longer.

Next one was also bang on 40 weeks. This was fine. Baby ready.

I’m booked for an elective next Tuesday at 39+6. Baby is breech and ‘large for gestational age’, measuring above the 99th centile. I would have liked it to happen closer to 39 weeks but they’ve moved the date 3 times due to lack of availability. Just hoping I don’t go into labour over the next 4 days!

Thanks all.

I have epilepsy but I’m only having awareness seizures rather than fits, so it doesn’t affect the baby.

Obviously I'm a risk of having a full fit, but it hasn’t happened in this pregnancy yet. I think they would be keen to get the baby out sooner if I was.

Not sure when I will find out the date either as I’m 30 weeks atm. Hopefully find out over the next few weeks.

Would be nice to get it out early so I can stop having these seizures, but also a December baby sounds magical. I just want it over and done with so I can stop feeling like I’m dying!!

I think it all depends on the medical needs around the booking dates. So whilst you might get priority over others if you were due in August, by October there could be some much more high risk pregnancies that bump you down.

If you have a choice, I would opt for the easier one.

If you go into labour they will most likely add you to the list of cat 3 emergencies for the day. This happened to me with DS1 when my waters broke ahead of the planned csection (opposite problem 1st centile baby!).

Sounds like the considerations may be different than for other posters so yours might be earlier. Mine was at 36w as that was when the risk of pregnancy (not epilepsy, several other things) started to be greater than the risk of prematurity, but that tipping point will come at a different time for each baby.