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 😔

I really don't see the issue, 37 weeks is classed as full term and as others have said its far better to have an elective than emergency C Section. My breech baby was born vaginally at 35 weeks without any issues as i was not keen on a C Section due to having other children to care for and the long recovery process.

I had 3 elcs in the 37th week due to a previous still birth in the 39th week.
I only had the injection for the first who was born bang on 37 weeks. None had issues with their lungs or breathing.

I found elcs really calm and a great experience. They weren't Christmas babies but my youngest has a late may birthday always in half term and parties are a nightmare as everyone is away. I don't think there is the perfect time to have a baby.

With my eldest it felt really rushed too. I was expecting to be induced but they were worried about him getting stuck as he was apparently a giant baby but was actually 7lb 8 at birth! I was in shock at how quickly I had to make the decision and had 2 days notice. I needed to be admitted (gestational diabetes so needed to be in for monitoring when nil by mouth!) But that all went out the window when I held him and had my healthy baby im my arms.

I completely understand your anxieties regarding gestation also.

First baby was 37+3 emergency section…waters broke naturally and never progressed.

Second baby was 38+1 elective section as she was breech and weighing on 99th percentile for weight…she arrived 6lb 15oz and growth scan was off by 3lbs!!!

Both arrived safely. I can’t comment on recovery as actually recovered better after my emergency section as elective didn’t go to plan (bleeding, adhesions amongst other things) could they old off til 40 weeks?

I would try to reframe it: would I rather give birth when there is a fully staffed hospital team around, or when staff levels are low? Which is better for me and baby?

If you haven’t yet, I strongly recommend reading Hypnobirthing by Siobhan Miller. It’s about the psychology of birth and how to have a positive,
empowering birth experience whether that is a candlelit unmedicated water birth or an emergency c section.

If you are really unhappy about the date make a big fuss. Advocate for yourself.

My DS was born at 37 weeks because my consultant was going on holiday for 3 weeks after that. I could have had him later but would have had to have a different consultant do it which I didn’t want.

My friend had her elective date moved a few days earlier to get them into an earlier school year.

The beauty of elective sections are that you can plan them to find the best date.

Personally, I think having a baby on Xmas Eve is lovely. You will have all your family and friends around to help. What a lovely Christmas present for everyone.

Also, I’d rather have a December birthday than a January one!

I think if I was you I’d be more worried if it was say set for 39+5 as I’d be panicking about going into labour over Christmas! Much better for it to be done in this controlled way. And to be honest there was always a high chance your baby would have a birthday over the Christmas period so I don’t think you can complain about that.

I totally get how you feel and I'd have felt the same with my first too. However I've now had 2 babies. My first was 100% natural just with gas and air, zero intervention. However, because of complications afterwards requiring surgery I had an elective c section for my 2nd. Is it what I would have liked prior to even having my first? Was it the right and safest decision for both me and baby? Absolutely. Plus my whole experience and recovery was actually better than after my first. Both mentally and physically.

Just remember - there are no awards for childbirth. Your only reward is that healthy newborn in your arms, so you do what is right for you both to get to that point. I totally understand that as a ftm you want to do things right, but I think having gone through different experiences has given me a different perspective on this - there are many ways to have a perfect birth (not that I would call either of mine perfect as such, but my "imperfect" birth certainly went more to plan than my "perfect" one on paper).

One last point - there's nothing to say that you won't go into labour on Xmas eve and you won't need surgery like I did and end up staying in for Xmas day. In fact I had to stay in for a few days following that, but I only stayed in 1 night after my c section. If that happens for you, you'll be home on Xmas day anyway.

But it is medically necessary? I think maybe tweaking your mindset would help here. Delivering a breach baby vaginally comes with a whole host of risks.

no it doesn't. It sounds awful. Who wants to spend Christmas in hospital and inflict a Christmas Eve birthday on a child who will never have their birthday as their own.
But sadly OP doesn't get much choice here, so we can only wish her the best.

Hi, FTM here, my baby was also frank breech. I was due to have an elective section however my waters broke at 36+4 and had to have a low category emergency section that day. Due to how early baby was we had 2 paediatric doctors in theatre waiting for babies arrival. They thoroughly checked baby over and all was completely fine, no special care or assistance needed and we went home the next day. One thing I would say is frank breech babies come out with their legs by their head. My husband didn’t realise and thought there was something seriously wrong with the baby. I’m not saying this to scare you, more to prepare you as it takes a little while for their legs to come down but they will in time. You’ve got this, Goodluck! X

I would rather have an elective section just before 39 weeks than wait - after the 2 bank holidays is a weekend so earliest would be 29th and you are risking ending up with an emergency section

Op I'd go with Christmas Eve option.
Bottom line you want your baby here safe. No matter what their birthday is going to be at the festive season.

There have been debates in my family who has the worse birthday, Christmas Eve didn't win the argument!

You can make a decent day of it, unlike Christmas day or Boxing day when people are busy and partied out. There has also been moans from the ordinary days 27-30th nobody wants to go out people want to hold on to money for the 31st.
2nd of January moaned their an after thought, by then everyone is skint, started dry January, and the new year diets.

Enjoy your baby and these last couple of weeks enjoy this very special and exciting time. Go watch a movie 🎬 the whole way through.

DS was born on Boxing day, emergency section

We had pretty much every single employee on the labour ward looking after me and him, there was no-one else around, so the service was A +

Good luck op 🍀

Wow sounds ideal! I think they are doing you and babe a massive favour here.

Christmas Eve has to be one of the best days of the year. And if your going to have a December or even Jan birthday then I think it’s the day to have.

Any other December birthday; particularly those after Christmas - awful birthday days.

My baby was breech and 98th centile, until all of a sudden she dropped to 50th. I had her by elective c section at 37 + 4 and she was a perfect 6lb 14 and in full health. I would take the Christmas Eve date.

There is the option of steroids but there are also risks to them. The do reduce the risk of lung problems, but there is an increased association with neurodiversity (not a proven causative link but increased rates reported). Assuming this is a Section at 38 weeks they may not be offered due to this, or given the choice. The benefit of steroids is bigger at lower gestations so routinely given to mums delivering vaginally or via CS under 35 weeks now, and the benefits diminishing by 39 weeks, so if close to 39 weeks then less benefit so risk may outweigh that.
From my professional experience steroids haven’t been routinely given for early term/late preterm for several years.

www.rcog.org.uk/media/khqhzmcc/gtg74-antenatal-corticosteroids-key-points.pdf

Hey OP, just want to say good luck.
I’ve had one emergency c section and one planned section. Trust me the planned one is the way to go.
Saying that - I waited an entire day at the hospital from 7.30am till 6pm then sent home because they couldn’t fit me in for my planned c section.
I was almost sent home the second day after half a day until I had a melt down and was taken in straight away. Basically they told me to go and sit in a room and wait and I was left for hours alone. (it was 2021 and dads were not allowed in most areas of hospitals) I then came to find out they forgot about me and crossed me off the list as a non arrival.

Anyway my point is - you could still have a last minute change to your planned section. Keep the date.

Also I was born on 31 December and my younger sister on Christmas Day. I get ignored as everyone is either too tired, too busy or too poor to celebrate my birthday whilst my sister is 42 and lives for “her” Christmas Birthday roast dinner and all attention on her😂😂😂.
Good job I don’t like attention on me.

Your baby will have the best Christmas being born around Christmas time. The best time of the year. Lucky baby and lucky mum and dad.

You could start a new tradition of Roast Dinner for your family on your baby’s birthday and have a “party” for their friends a few weeks before or after.

PS. Holly, Eve or Noelle a girl and Noel or Nicholas for a boy

I understand you’re feeling worried. I had my first c section at 39 weeks but my second c section was booked for bang on 38 weeks. There’s absolutely no difference between the children. The 38 week baby was the same size as my first, was healthy and fed well. I know they prefer for 39 weeks but my consultant said any time after 37 weeks was fine .

Mine was born by emergency section at 36 weeks. Not nice. You’ll be fine with elective at that stage.

Yes, but a C section increases the risk of lung problems for the baby so they prefer to wait until 39wks to do it to allow for extra lung maturation.

Totally get the loss of control thing but having had an elective section, you get a lot of control back in other ways. You know when your baby will be born, you can plan for your recovery, you can pick what music you’d like in the room etc.

Might not be the case but I was also sent home the next day so you might bring back a lovely gift on Christmas Day! Good luck xx

I had my second at 37 weeks, I had gd, but had it under control, they said he was going to be a big baby. I was induced at 37 weeks and he wasn't big and was born with a hole in his heart. I had my first at 38 weeks, again induced, but had gd and it was under control, they said she was going to be big, she was tine and 6ib 7oz and was perfectly fine. I'm going off my own personal experience, but they've always got the size of the baby wrong with me and I've never had big babies, like has been claimed. I'd ask to be booked in for an induction, an induction and sweep does work a lot faster than just an induction in my experience. Personally, I wouldn't want to go in on Christmas Eve.

I think it would be worth trying to book another appointment with the consultant and discuss your worries with her. It’s all very well everyone telling you it will be fine, but if you still have significant concerns then she’s the one you need to talk to to set your mind at ease.

I had an elective c-section booked after a failed ECV but then went into labour a few days before. Not an emergency but it needed to happen that night. Baby boy was 38+1 and absolutely perfect. I too wanted to avoid a c-section and was especially sad as where I live (not the UK), birth partners are not allowed into theatre and baby is taken to Dad whilst Mum is in recovery. But, the doctors brought him into the world safely and I will forever be grateful. You and baby will be well taken care of, what a special Christmas it will be!