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 😔