Timing for Elective C-section

37 weeks is full term, so theoretically you should be fine a week before your due date. You could always ask to schedule the week of your due date instead

Unless there's a medical reason for them to suggest a week before dd

A week before/ the week leading up to your due date is standard. They say before 39 wks ( think it is?) they're more likely to need breathing help, but ok after this. I've just had mine at 39+2 and she's absolutely perfect. I did have my first naturally at 39wks too with no problems (on her part anyway!)

it’s better to get scheduled, the days do fill up. They will not deliver before 37 unless it’s an issue

The reason an elective C-section is done at 39 weeks and not at 40 weeks, is because it dramatically reduces the chances of you going in to natural labour before hand, meaning you would have an unscheduled C-section which would in turn, change the structure of the day and affect everyone else waiting for scheduled sections. You would also then risk a more complicated surgery and recovery. At 39 weeks, baby is as developed as they need to be, there really is no reason to wait longer.

I think you should have really spent this whole pregnancy researching what a vbac is and what it would look like mama! So basically you start with a TOLAC. Trial of labor after cesarean. You just go in and start the process like you’re going to have a vaginal delivery and you continue going as far as you can go in the process with a vaginal delivery as the end goal! Everyone is there for the c section if you end up needing one. You and baby are monitored and hooked up to your IV the whole time just in case. But honestly, I did it after two c sections and I really think everyone should give it a go, it went perfectly, as long as medically reasonable. If you have a totally healthy pregnancy and there was no complications with your c section I really think you should try it. Being able to leave the hospital in a day and just move all around with your baby from day one is so nice.

I wanted to have a scheduled c-section with my son so he could have the same birthday as a family member who has passed and he shares a name with. I was told no, then I had to have an emergency one done anyway. If you want it done, don't let them tell you no. Tell them when you want the baby to come if you're going that route. A week early the baby would be fine but if you want it the week it's due then that should be your choice not theirs. Also, on a side note, I healed really well and quick from my c-section, so I think I'll go that route with baby #2. Natural birth seems scary now that I've only done c-section

I had an emergency csection two years ago and had a planned csection with our second baby two weeks ago. My doctor said anything after 38wks would be fine as baby would be ready by 37. I think it is planned around one or two weeks before mainly to reduce the risk of going into labour naturally. We had planned ours for 38+4 but I actually started having contractions before so it was moved forward and was at 38+1 in the end - baby was fine and is all healthy. With regards to recovery, it is a challenge with a toddler as well - more so because I struggled to do much for him and felt a bit useless - but I am feeling pretty good now physically, other than moving a little slowly and not being able to lift/carry my toddler.

I’ve had 3, 2 elective and 1 emergency. I tried for a VBAC with the 2nd and was fuming that I laboured for so long to end up back on the table. If you had to be induced and laboured for a long time and it just wasn’t happening with your first I would just book yourself in now and save the exhaustion. However if you went into labour naturally first time around, I’d give the VBAC a chance. x

@Sofia that's one of my fears about trying a Vbac. I was induced with my first only 3 days after my due date. I was in labor for 24 hours and right when I was fully dilated my baby was in distress (again) ended up in and emergency C-section and baby was born stillborn but the team of doctors brought him back thank God. My doctor at the time said if I had any more kids they would be C-section, then 2 years later same doctor told me I could try Vbac. I've done lots of research but it's hard to know what's best. I just didn't like the idea of being induced before and don't like the idea of going in even a week early, but I know everyone says it's fine at 39 weeks.

@Ellie that's my biggest concern with having another C-section is not having help (family lives in another state) and not being able to lift my toddler. I lift him so often every day, I don't know how I could get by for 6 weeks...

@Cassie that's awesome you had a great experience with a Vbac. I've heard mostly positive feedback on Vbac compared to C-section and am really worried about having a toddler now, not having much help, and not being able to lift him for 6 weeks. I've done lots of research. Not getting much guidance from doctors ...one just told me I have a 50% chance of success for Vbac so it's a matter of if I want to risk going through all the labor. Also hear some crazy horrible stories about regular birth, tearing, healing weird, etc. that scares me back to C-section again! I've just been so back and forth it's hard to know how your body will recover and what's best.

I had my 3rd csection in August. I have a 5 year old at home and I do usually still pick him up a few times a day but I refrained for the first few weeks and then only helped lower him down from the car and didn't really pick him up until after the 6c week mark. My husband a home on paternity leave for 4 weeks so that helped but the 5 year old can also climb into the car on his own. I also had my 17 year old around to help if I really needed it. But my point really was to ask if you can get your toddler to climb up where necessary so you don't have to lift them for at least a few weeks? And lean on your partner for support, like he can bring your toddler to you when you need help?

It’s always booked in the week before. But both my planned were 5 days before the due date so it’s not that ‘early’. Most people are booked in in the 39th week. As you were induced I’d opt for the elective. They are a lot different from emc and really calm. I wouldn’t go as far as it being enjoyable but the procedure feels better and the recovery is also better x

We also don't have family nearby and it's been hard but my husband took over most of the toddler duties. I found it really hard for the first week or so as i felt i was missing out, but it passes. I still can't lift him properly but I'm 2 weeks pp and am able to lift him into his high chair or into the bath okay - I wouldn't risk carrying him and walking yet though. My friend told me to try and limit carrying him for the last few weeks before my due date so it wasn't a sudden stop when baby appeared - I tried to limit it (hard to completely stop!) and he has been okay. He struggled at first but I just made sure to make sitting on the sofa together seem special or sit on the side next to him whilst he was in the bath etc.