Elective C Section on Christmas Eve

[LilacPandas]

Hello 👋 first time poster here - just wanted opinions/advice on my current situation.. sorry it’s a bit of a long one!

I’m a FTM, 37+1, and baby has been frank breech for the past few weeks, including at my last growth scan yesterday, despite all efforts to turn them (except ECV, midwife basically advised against it as I have an anterior placenta and low PAPP-A so risks outweigh likelihood of it working). Baby is also on the 97th percentile but I passed the GD test at 28 weeks and nobody’s ever mentioned retesting.

Ive been low risk the whole pregnancy but was sent to maternity assessment after scan where I saw a consultant for the first time for all of 2 mins to discuss options. I say discuss, I was literally handed a leaflet by the receptionist titled ‘Your options for breech baby at 37 weeks’ then consultant came into the waiting room and asked what one I wanted to go with (she was in a rush as en route to perform someone else’s section). Luckily I’ve had lots of discussions with my midwife about my options or I’d have felt totally rushed, uninformed and uncomfortable at having to make a huge decision like this in a public waiting room.

I opted for an elective section and have been told all along by midwife this would be booked for some point in my 39th week following a breech 37 week growth scan (39 weeks is Boxing Day on wards).

I then had a call from the consultant saying there’s no space in my 39th week so she’s booked me in for Christmas Eve. She said theyd rather not do it then as it’s before 39 weeks but because of the time of year it’s currently my only option if I want an elective. This has sent me spiralling as means it’s now before 39 weeks for no medical reason and the consultant herself said this isn’t what they’d prefer. I know it’s only a matter of days but it feels like my babies health is being put at higher risk purely because of bank holidays restricting availability.

As a ftm it’s taken me a while to come to terms with having a c section over natural labour anyway but given babies size and position I felt it’s the safest option. I still think it is but feel I’ve lost any control over my birth as it seems my choice is to take the earlier date or just dice with the chance of going into labour and needing an unplanned section instead or risking an emergency which is my worst case scenario.

I’m also obviously a bit sad at the prospect of being in hospital on Christmas Day for no medical reason. Healthy arrival of baby is of course the priority but I’ve experienced hospital around then before and it wasn’t a great experience with less staff on etc.

This is essentially just a bit of a vent but what would you do in this situation and is it likely there will be cancellations or something in my 39th week? Any reassurance is appreciated 😔

Glad baby made it safely and the actual section was a good experience for you both. Yeah this is defo in my mind birthday wise, nobody’s ever going to be willingly coming to a kids birthday party on Christmas Eve 😂 my birthday was a few weeks ago and I already get the Christmassy gifts or the 2 in 1 specials never mind being that close!

Also if there was a medical reason like this I’d not even be posting here as of course I’d do whatever is best for baby. But this situation isn’t best for me or baby, it’s best for the hospital staffing rota which is rubbish.

In a way yes, but baby is term from 37 weeks, so the likelihood of it having any negative affect on baby is extremely low. However a breech birth can come with more complications so the risk of delivering a term baby by c section is lower than delivering a breech baby by vaginal birth. I get how you feel though sometimes it feels like they’re doing it to suit them, but they can’t exactly shuffle everyone around for you, and then they also can’t leave you past 40 weeks with a breech baby unless that’s what you want and your prepared for the risk.

Besides, there is plenty of time to get baby to turn so you may not need it at all! Baby’s can turn at literally any point so you may be pleasantly surprised ☺️☺️

You are being cared for within a system that is under enormous pressure, so yes, you do have to roll with the punches and dare I say practice gratitude for the support you are receiving. It doesn’t mean you can’t have your feelings but it doesn’t help to simply focus on what isn’t perfect either.

38+5 will be fine. Two days won't make that much of a difference to baby at that gestation.

As for the birthday itself, people would be equally as unlikely (if not more so) to be available to come to a Twixmas party as one on Christmas Eve. The two girls in my daughter's class with Christmas Eve birthdays have had their parties a couple weeks before or after. As did the kids with summer holiday birthdays. As did my kids for no reason other than my convenience. It won't be unique to your child. All that matters will be that they have a party and their friends come. They won't care it's not on or near their actual birthday.

It will all be just fine. It's hard when expectations you've already had to compromise on are further changed. I can relate with both my pre 38 week births. It sucks now, but in 11 days it will be the best thing ever.

And remember, things can change between now and then. Baby could turn. One of the sections scheduled for 29th-31st could go into labour, freeing up their spot. You could request in that event you're given their spot.

The NHS is on its knees and kindly they wouldn’t offer it if it wasn’t safe. A baby born at 38 weeks is going to be totally fine. Your dates are probably off a bit with the scan (they usually are) so you could have been having the baby later or earlier without knowing if your dates are off.

I went into labour with my baby who was frank breech when I was 37+3 and he was fine, so was I. C-section and home in two days.
Second was normal breech went into labour at 37+5 same, all good home in two days.
You may not make it to Christmas Eve.

Try not to worry 😀 37 weeks is considered full term I believe. I had my twins at 35 weeks and they wouldn't have let me go over 37 weeks. I believe steroid injections are of limited benefit after 36 weeks but I personally did have them as mine were before then.
A Christmas Eve baby sounds great! My birthday is just before Xmas too and it's sooo much better to have it before Xmas rather than just after in my opinion! Everyone is all festive and excited x
Good luck!

I totally get that you felt rushed avd this was more or less presented to you as fait accompli. You also have to deal with LO being born on Christmas Eve.

If it’s of any consolation my first was born at 38+1 and was perfectly healthy.

DC2 presented as first tea serve then breech and I get that a C-Section isn’t how you imagined them coming into the world. Ultimately though the goal is for you to both be here at the end of the process fit and well and in your circumstances I would opt for the ELCS everytime.

Birthday parties for DC are rarely help on their actual birthday anyway, especially when they start school and at least she’s going to have her birthday off for a long time.

Maybe have a think about what you want to start doing next year to mark her birthday? Maybe you could start hosting a birthday lunch for her wirh a few close family members next year?

Do keep us updated on your progress too. Do you have names sorted yet?

Hey I completely understand your concerns and also it seems so unnatural to move the date due to bank holidays. When I was pregnant I cried my eyes out when my c section date was moved forward as they had too many c sections booked when mine was going to be. I'm usually a very sensible person and looking back I was extremely hormonal and in a vulnerable state! The consultant may seem blasé but that's because this is so routine for them, so take that as a reassurance! I'd go with what they say as that week after Christmas is most likely the worst time to have anything done and you don't want any risk to your precious baby. Elective c sections are fabulous btw so good luck and congratulations! Maybe have a Christmas at home a few days later

Thanks for your responses, I’m sure we’ll come to love a very festive birthday and of course nothing else will matter when baby is here safely anyway! Tbh I just needed a moment to vent and see what others thought about the situation during a very emotional and new time in my life where there is an overwhelming, and often conflicting, amount of info to take in quickly. I really appreciate everyone’s perspectives, especially around positive section experiences, earlier delivery and festive birthdays, and glad to be understood by most.

It’s a bit unfair to say I’m ‘simply focused on what isn’t perfect’ and to practice gratitude. I am obviously appreciative of the support of the NHS and, believe me, well aware of the strain at the moment. But when every piece of guidance recommends 39+ unless there’s a medical reason it is jarring to find myself going against it purely because of the time of year. My feelings and worries don’t make me ungrateful…I haven’t done any of this before so of course I can have negative emotions as well as gratitude when things don’t go as expected, especially in the face of major surgery.

I’m not precious about missing Christmas Day itself and understand, realistically, 2 days off 39w is unlikely to make a huge difference in the grand scheme of a low-risk pregnancy - which I’m abundantly grateful I’ve had the fortune to have so far! Also very conscious that there’s a chance none of this will even matter because baby could decide to arrive anytime before then anyway! We do have a name, not a festive one though so maybe we should get back to the drawing board quickly 🤣

Everything you feel is all perfectly understandable.

If you’ve got a name already, how about adding on a name in the middle to give a nod to the birthday date?

Thank you 💕

That’s a lovely idea 😊

I've had 3 sections. One was a very premature birth so irrelevant here. They're fine now though. The other 2 were between 38 and 39 weeks. No medical reason for either. Just timing. The one which was at 38+1 was actually booked because baby's growth had slowed down and my consultant said we could review it after the next scan (a few days before the section date) and if growth had picked up then we could push the date back. Turns out the growth was fine at the next scan but I straight up said to her I'm absolutely done being pregnant now and she said that's fine we'll stick with this date then. No concerns about it being earlier than 39 weeks and no steroid injections for either. Babies were also perfectly healthy and I was home the next day less than 24 hours later. You could potentially be home the next day too depending on how you and baby are doing and how your hospital does things. I really wouldn't worry about it being before 39 weeks though.

Aww congrats on your Christmas bundle! My MIL’s birthday is on Christmas Eve and she has a Christmas-adjacent name 😅

I have a Christmas Eve baby. Being in on Christmas Day was not what I’d wanted but in the end it was really sweet as the staff went to so much trouble. Santa visited and gave the babies their first presents. My daughter has a photo of her with Santa at the hospital which she treasures and has taken to school (now 8). She loves having a Christmas Eve birthday as we’ve built family traditions around it - we take her birthday off work, go to the panto and she gets all the lovely Christmas Eve anticipation so it’s literally her birthday and Christmas at once. She has a half birthday party with her class in summer so that spreads things out a bit. I’m dreading the absolute onslaught of toys into my house in a couple of weeks but it’s my daughter’s absolute favourite time of year.
You’re in the best hands and I wish you a very safe birth. Xxx

I had a planned c-section early this January at exactly 38 weeks as baby was in a transverse position and they did not want to risk my waters breaking spontaneously as there is an increased risk of umbilical cord prolapse with babies in this position. I had been strongly medically advised to have a c-section from my first consultant appointment at about 20 weeks, due to my pre-existing medical conditions, so it didn't change the plan much, though my section had originally been planned for 39 weeks.
I was advised that 37 weeks or more is considered full term and there was little additional risk in being delivered at 38 weeks over 39 weeks. I had a very calm, straightforward procedure. Our perfect baby girl was born a healthy weight and the whole experience was lovely. I was also a first time mum and was terribly anxious too but it all worked out beautifully.
Wishing you all the best for the safe and joyous arrival of your little Christmas miracle!

Good luck OP.
I had an emergency c section at 37wks and bubba is great now!
Sometimes it doesn't go quite how we imagined but it will be worth it.
Once you are both healthy all will be well.

I had to chose a Wednesday after 37 weeks to be induced because that’s what day inductions were done.
My birthday was on the ideal Wednesday but I didn’t want to spend my birthday in labour so went for the week earlier (38 weeks)
Having had spontaneous births also the planned birth was great. Lean into what’s going well and enjoy your Christmas baby.

Forget about what you envisioned, main thing is baby's healthy. The reality is the bank holidays may mean leas senior staff/staffing issues (speaking from experience as patient and parent of patient) so getting in and out before the bank holidays would be ideal.

I had my son at 37+2 earlier this year, he was fine. Good luck.

If it makes you feel any better I was booked in at 38.5 as it was in the run up to Christmas and I was private.

If the only reason for elective is due to centile I’d book an elective for week 40 or 41 and see if you go into labour naturally ( majority of FTM’s don’t without intervention )
growth scans are notorious for being wrong, I’ve had 3 sections 2 emergency and 1 elective I tried so so hard to have a vaginal birth c section isn’t easy. As for it being Xmas Eve I’d ask for a 9am slot if you go down this route and you will be able to leave early Xmas morning

I know it's hard because it's not what you imagined. I had Gestational Diabetes which is not what I imagined at all, and had an ELCS at 38+6. They wanted it much closer to 38 weeks for safety reasons as being born was safer in their opinion than still being in me with GD as the placenta can degrade quickly, but there was no room in the schedule (my GD was quite bad I was on insulin). She was perfectly healthy, no lung issues, and has always been 75th percentile. No steroid injection was mentioned or given, but it wasn't needed. I know it's stressful when you feel it's not going to plan, but I would personally prefer earlier as end of pregnancy is horrible, and there's not really any benefit to waiting a couple of days longer. As other people said 37W is full term. It's all a balance at the end of the day.

Just putting a slightly different avenue out there to explore (I’m not medically trained, just something I read recently…)

Is a breech birth not as dangerous as it was thought of before? As in there was a study done in the 20s that then directed breech births towards Csection but now that’s been fact busted. Now the issue is that midwives have been deskilled on the method of delivering breech babies as it’s not been in the training for the past 25 years.

As I said, no medical expert, but maybe something to at least explore/research?

I went in for induction on Boxing Day and ended with an emergency c-section early hours of the 27th. I’m sure they weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of doing the elective section before 39 weeks

*2000s not 20s