Securing a date for elective c-section 😩

As far as I know , most people don’t know about their csection until a week or so before. The only reason why I got mine booked a week before it happened was for health conditions. It’s not really something you can control. Especially because we don’t pay for this service and there are always a shortage of beds available x

I found out my date just over 2 weeks before. I'd say that's about average as they can't tell you any earlier with changes to the pregnancy and hospital x

Most hospitals schedule c sections for 39 weeks. I requested my c section and I had to fight for it. The consultation was not happy when I called a different hospital to ask for c section there because I was refused one at my hospital. She eventually gave in but booked it for my due date, probably with hopes I would give birth before that naturally. I was given a date when I was 38 and a half weeks. Very stressful time. I would recommend trying a different hospital if you can xx

Even if they make it earlier for you or tell you a date earlier, anything can happen, they scheduled my c section 2 days before my due date but my daughter came at 36 weeks, so you just gotta take each day as it comes and as long as you have your birth plan it should be ok, I was heavy on wanting a c section and they reassured me that if I went into labour naturally they would still take me to do a c section which they did

This really stressed me out too. I went into labour at 38+5 with no date for my elective section. I just called as soon as I knew something was going on and within 4 hours of getting to hospital, I had my elective section. Try not to stress too much, I still had a lovely experience. Just keep an eye on your symptoms and call and be seen as soon as you think something is happening. They class it as an “emergency section” but it was absolutely not an emergency, still super chilled. They are so busy with the amount of requested sections that they just can’t give dates out earlier x

Totally depends on your trust. Some get their staff rotas and theatre diaries sorted weeks in advance, some won’t know who’s in until that week. I got both of mine booked in around week 32 but that’s because they have their rotas 2 months out for theatre. Baby 1 was scheduled for week 39 but came early at week 38 (still got a caesarean just on that day and had to wait for a diary slot). Baby 2 is scheduled for week 38 bang on due to Xmas/NYE staffing and the fact their sibling came early.

That seems late and would really stress me out too. I've got an appointment at 31 weeks to book in my C-section and have been told it will be booked in for the 39th week of pregnancy. I was told that's when they will have the diaries and dates available to be able to book in for that week. Not sure how well it will all work in practice yet.

I rang to chase my date yesterday at 37 weeks and was told they’re giving dates 2 weeks prior to section dates as they’re so busy currently but I think it’s different all over the country from what I can tell. If it’s causing you stress then I would say keep on to them and making them aware it’s making you poorly with worry x

Just to let you know, I was given a date for 23rd December and because I already have a boy and wanted to be home for him for Xmas, I requested for the date to be moved to the 20th instead as they don’t do csections on the weekend unless it’s an emergency. So the 20th December for me was 38 weeks and 6 days, I had my consultant agree to this date as it’s only a day before the 39th week. Worth asking ☺️