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 😔

Clinically, it's a sound plan. Emotionally, you need more support. So stop worrying about putting baby at risk (you're not) and think instead about how you can get yourself feeling calm and positive, and what you can do to make Christmas day nicer (or rather, what others can do for you). You will be getting the best Christmas present, after all, and though it is true that there will be fewer staff, there will hopefully be fewer patients too, and the midwives will try to inject a bit of festive cheer. Good luck!

In the nicest possible way, you're totally overthinking this. It's 2 days before 39 weeks and it's not the hospital's fault it's a bank holiday. It is better for you and your baby to have a planned section 2 days early than to potentially need an emergency one. It is possible there will be a cancellation in your 39th week but doesn't mean you would be top of list to be offered it. Juggling elective sections to suit all women who need them can be a nightmare even when there aren't multiple bank holidays to contend with!

I was also induced at 38 weeks with one of my DC for no reason other than I needed to give birth in specific hospital 70 miles away.

Once you're holding your baby all this will be forgotten 🙂

I had to go into the maternity assessment unit a few days before christmas one year and overheard a couple declining a Christmas Eve section because they wanted a proper Christmas. Apparently all the dates around were booked up for planned sections but they chose to wait into the new year. I have to say, I wouldn’t wait - the day your baby is born is better than any Christmas day. I hope it goes well.

Also OP, don’t feel belittled by other posters on here.

I’m sorry you’re not getting the birth you envisioned

Sorry you are feeling anxious OP, not surprising after this very rushed and unhelpful consultation - seems to me that the way that was done, albeit deeply unhelpful and anxiety provoking for you, suggests that there really aren't serious risks in what they are suggesting -its all very routine and standard for them. I think youll be ok with Xmas eve, it's two days difference which is nothing in the scheme of it.

I had twins at 37 weeks via c section and they were both fine. No oxygen or any interventions needed at all. I also was discharged about 24 hours after the birth so you could be home on Christmas Day

Personally l wouldn't be happy about the 2 min rushed conversation in a waiting room. It's hardly professional and appropriate thing to do. I know services are under pressure but that's not your fault. You could request a proper discussion to actually explore things, as it doesn't sound like that's really been done. When l was pregnant l had to complain a few times via PALS when they did stupid or lazy things or didn't follow NICE guidelines. E.g. kept on cancelling appointments or kept me nil by mouth 2 days running after they claimed that couldn't fit me in for the first c section date (twin pregnancy is next level thirst and hunger!). I think it's important to keep a low threshold for them messing you about

I know it is no help saying this, but try not to worry. They chose to get my baby out by C-section at 37+1. I did have the steroids for him though as they thought he was coming at 34 weeks

I also had an emergency section at 36+2, and no prep or steroids at all. She was and is absolutely fine.

Best of luck. I hope baby comes healthy and smoothly

Youre actually classed as full term any time after 37 weeks. Baby will be fine. Enjoy being waited on in hospital with your new baby on xmas day

My first baby was born by elective c section on Dec 22nd . He was also breech and delivered at 37 weeks. He's 33 next week, 6' tall, fabulous and married to a beautiful American woman. Your baby will be fine.

I’d push back. Say you were unhappy with consultation at hospital and not comfortable with an early C section. Ignore the posters who suggest being grateful. In the current climate you have to be on the ball and assertive. I’m sure it’s feasible to find a date.

I had a section on 22nd December at 38+5. Lots of the dates over Christmas they didn’t do at my hospital Christmas Eve included. I had gestational diabetes so they didn’t want me to go past my due date which was New Year’s Day but other than that no medical need. Planned section was all good nice and controlled and calm. They have all the Christmas babies little Santa hats which was so cute. I wouldn’t have minded Christmas Eve with my first but she was my second and my daughter at home was 2 so wouldn’t have wanted to miss Christmas with her.
Good luck and enjoy meeting your baby ❤️

Say no. A Christmas birthday is a curse for life believe me. No medical reason please wait and tell them to arrange it. Or swap trusts.

To be honest, if you were having an elective C section at my trust, you’d be having it at 38 weeks. I’m not sure why you’re worried about a few days early, your baby is already considered to be term! Just go with the flow, you’ll most likely come out on Christmas Day, you generally only stay for 24 hours if all is ok.

Can only really comment on the being on the maternity ward for Christmas. I had a section on Xmas day 2 years ago and all in all it was quite nice. It was technically an emergency section but not really, induction failed and after 3 days in hospital i was given a choice to come back in a couple of days to try again or go to theatre.
It was a really relaxed and cheery atmosphere and the whole unit was so so quiet! I had a whole bay meant for 6 to myself so my partner got to sleep in the bed in the next cubical. Perfect for bonding with new baby. The midwives had loads of time for us.
In contrast, my second was born in August and while the care was still good, the ward was packed and noisy with much busier/stressed staff.

You’ve got ten days till Xmas eve! That’s plenty time for baby to put in an appearance before then, full term and you’re worrying about nothing!
hope all goes well.

If it makes you feel any better I was out by lunchtime with my elective section so you might be home with your new baby for Christmas lunch!

I had an elective at 42 weeks but I would’ve much preferred one around 37/8. 37 is considered full time so nearly 39 would be fine in my opinion!

I chose to have dd3 by elective c section (my 4th) on 28th December at 37 +5 as the date they offered me was the 7th January and as an older mother I didn't want to go that long. She was absolutely fine but it was like a conveyor belt with so many sections happening and absolutely packed.

They wanted to turf me out 24 hours after dd3 was born, my 4th c section. I declined and left the following morning.

Hello

Baby one - EMCS with very large baby a few days overdue who had been breach, turned and then got completely stuck in my pelvis, took a significant amount of time to dislodge head in theatre, haemorrhaged, awful recovery, months in fact. Had been tested for GD but no dramas, just make big babies.

In light of all this and probably some PTSD (there's more to it but not relevant here), planned section was booked a little early for Baby 2. Tested for GD but no dramas. I just made big babies (again) They were slightly smaller but planned section was heavenly in comparison, easier to prepare for (ie everything i needed except my bed had been brought downstairs in advance of me going to hospital) and my recovery was smooth and plain sailing.

You could still end up in hospital for Christmas if you don't have your section on Christmas eve but honestly who cares where you spend Christmas when you'll have won the lottery the day before with a lovely baby and no more anxiety about what might happen if you go into labour. They wouldn't entertain you having a planned section a little early if they thought you or the baby were at significant risk and at least they've been honest about the staffing situation over Christmas.

Good luck!

Your baby will be absolutely fine born at that time, especially given how big they are.

I’ve had one natural birth and one elective section and the section was so much better. Difficult to get about for the first couple of days, and progressively easier from there. After two weeks I really had no mobility problems at all.

A special Christmas Eve baby 😊 🎅🏻

You are quite right (as is the consultant) in saying that the preference is >39/40.

this is primarily due to lung maturation and the increased risk of respiratory distress <39/40. It has been found there is in an increased risk of NICU admission <39/40 for this reason.

steroids are not recommended for >34/40, this is due to a body of evidence suggesting a link to autism and the risk balance suggests no value in the majority of cases, though this should be on a case by case basis.

the risks of an emergency caesarean are greater than those of an elective and yes baby could decide to come now, however if you were to labour spontaneously, that is because your baby is ready.

it is your prerogative if you wish to push back and request nearer your due date. 39 weeks is up to 39+6, and I reason you couldn’t have a caesarean after this, lots do.

yes the ultimate goal is a healthy mum and baby and this is what is hoped for every family. Ultimately it is your decision to make, but it must be a fully informed decision

good luck (from one Christmas baby mum to another)

It’s just a very different situation to the birth I’ve envisioned this whole time

Aww lovely, you’ve had a lot on your plate with all this as a first pregnancy. I also had complications and ended up with an emergency CS.

The one piece of advice I was given that really helped me (both during and after) come to terms with what was a chaotic and frightening situation was this: let go of any preconceptions you may have about how your birth experience might look and feel, because the only certainty is it will definitely not be anything like what you’ve got in your head. In fact one midwife told me the best thing to do with a birth plan was to write it, admire it - then screw it up and throw it in the bin, because it’s fiction to believe you can influence the details of your delivery, and it’s not particularly helpful to go in with the mindset that when things deviate they’re going ‘wrong’.

It’s a situation you can’t control and to a large extent you have to trust and go with the flow. With an elective there’s a little more clarity around the when and how, but the only objective is for you to get safely to the other side with a beautiful healthy baby. Try to relax (not easy, I know!). The timing may be suboptimal, but many things about giving birth often are, whether ‘natural’ or not. You’ve been given a date that’s perfectly appropriate and safe. It’ll be the best Christmas present you’ll ever get x

Look at it another way: it would be risky for them to wait for 39 weeks and squeeze you in on a day that they didn't really feel they had capacity for. That could in a worst case scenario be dangerous, and best case be a frustrating experience due to staff being spread too thin

You might even go in for your c section and then get booted down the list by any emergencies that come in, and end up having to wait for another day anyway. I'd go with the 38+6 knowing that they're choosing it because they're comfortable that they'll have the staff to deliver and care for your baby that day. That counts for a lot. There's a balancing act here

Good luck and enjoy your lovely little one when they come.

Same.

First off, you matter as well. I hate it when people dismiss women’s feelings around birth or feeding by saying things like ‘all that matters is a healthy baby’ or variations on the theme. @LilacPandas you have every right to have feelings and views on your birth and to have those feelings acknowledged and respected.

second, request a proper appointment with the consultant. Say you do not feel informed enough to give consent to the procedure. You’re allowed to ask questions. What happens if you decline that date and go into labour? Can another date be found if you decline? What is the staffing situation on Xmas day? Will there be infant feeding support that day? If not when? Being ‘early term’ (37 wks to 38+6) can have impacts on babies especially related to feeding (Kathryn Stagg’s article the great pretenders has more information on this). Ask from proper information, actual numbers, information that relates to your risk profile. This is your birth and your entitled to be an active participant in it!

You should not be rushed into a decision.