Elective section @38wks

[MissMay95]

Hi ladies. Has anyone else had an elective section at 38 weeks? Did your baby need help to breathe? I've looked into it and statistically babies born by elective section before 39 weeks are much more likely to end up in NICU and needing help to breathe which is making me panic! Should I ask for it to be closer to my due date?

Thanks!

I had a c section at 38 weeks with eldest after a scan showed potential problems with placental blood flow and induction failed. The consultant at the time told me 38 weeks was considered full term (that was 15 years ago). He had low blod sugar (I had diabetes in pregnancy) but no issues breathing.

Second son was elective c section booked in at 39 weeks which I think is standard.

If they’re booking you in for a c section at 38 weeks that’s because that’s what they think is best.

good luck xx

I’ve had one at 36+5 and 35+2, both babies were home with me the next day xx

I did have one at 38 weeks and baby did need help to breath. He spent a week in NICU and I stayed in hospital with him. The plus was I got chance to recover a bit from the section before we got sent home.

My youngest was born at exactly 38 weeks. Didn’t need any help to breathe.

My youngest was born at 36 weeks due to medical need, they gave me 2 shots of steroids to help his lungs.

Yes I had one, though was not elective - placental issue.
my child didn’t need any intervention for breathing or NICU but unlike other siblings has asthma!

if I could have chosen, I would go for 39 weeks. But c section saved his life, so 38 it was,

I wouldn’t ask for it closer to your due date.

A friend of mine was scheduled for a C section at 39 weeks - baby had other ideas and decided to arrive at 37 weeks, meaning she ended up with an emergency section rather than the planned one. Obviously that would still have been the case if she’d been scheduled for 38 weeks, but pushing it back does increase the risk that could happen.

Both ended up being fine, baby didn’t need any help breathing, although did need a bit of treatment for jaundice, and both discharged the next day.

I did as I’m in my mid 40s so the risks were higher. I was worried the lungs wouldn’t be developed enough but the consultant said on balance it was the best to do it at 38w. Everything was fine, baby was well.

My 2 boys were ELSC at 38 weeks due to polyhydramnious. They both required intervention with their breathing for 48 hrs and went SCBU. It was fine ,not dramatic.
Granddaughter was born at 37 weeks by induction,amazing beautiful birth ,absolutely no intervention,Grandson born at 38weeks ,spontaneous labour,all very quick but he had hideous birth ,didn’t breathe for 19 mins…all ok now but definitely a horrible experience for everyone.All fine now.