Elective C-sections?

Question

To anyone who has had an elective cesarean, I have been told they usually do them at about 38-39 weeks but how far into your pregnancy were you when they booked it?

I have had two previous emergency sections and due to life threatening complications i have no choice but to have a section, it isnt a preference.

Answer 1

hiya, i work on the delivery suite at my local hospital and usually they ring up to book at least 4 weeks in advance. but its dependent on the womens health i suppose, but usually if complication arise or you go into labour early they will bring you in early to do it anyway!

Answer 2

I had an emergency c-section with my first baby, then was strongly advised to have an elective c-section with my second baby 11months ago. I did what they thought was best and the recovery was fine not how many people describe it (although it differs from person to person). I was walking short distances after a week. About 2 week recovery. Obviuosly longer than natural but not that bad. I do wish in a way that i did have a natural birth as now i dont have a choice aparently. (after 2 c-sections you cant have a natural birth)......

But health of the baby is top priority. (and you of course). C-sections have low risks nowadays and are perfectly safe. Natural is always the better option but its up to you. The worst thing is that you can only have 3 c-sections then its no more baby's. Because of risk of the scar rupturing. So that too is important to consider......

I hope that this has helped you. Some info that you may not have known before. Good luck whatever you do. YOUR DECISION know-one elses.

I was booked in for my elective c-section at 40 weeks. Depends on if there are health risks that mean baby should be born early.

Answer 3

I dont know why people seem to think have a C-section is the easy option. Because as Im sure you know its hard work afterwards. Afterwards you are just worn out and cant even walk to the end of the street for a couple of weeks and u are sore and tender and in pain. Its frightening too and people who generally have them would rather end up with a looser hoo-ha.Than have to go through all the recovery. Also if u have had two c-sections then they wont let u give birth. The word Elective just means it was planned not that u actually chose it. Im probably going to get thumbs down but some people are so stupid they shouldnt comment about what they dont know.
I was booked in for an elective C-section at 40 wks because my baby was too big to be born naturally. They did it for a few days in advance but normally I think they book u in quite early and they dont want u to go into labour. Good luck.

Answer 4

Take it from a Labor and Delivery RN, having a c-section is WAY worse then delivering naturally. Don't just have an elective c-section...truly, this is MAJOR surgery. It is considered as such and has all the risks that any other major surgery carries, including possible death. Why would you do this, electively if you could, at all avoid it?

The recovery time and pain is SO much worse as well. Not to mention you will always have a scar on your abdomin.

Listen, if it is recommeneded by your physician for your sake or the babys, that you have a c-section, then that's the way to go...don't get me wrong, but to schedule one electively just doesn't make sense. I cannot even believe Ob-Gyn's are doing this in the first place... blows me away...

ALSO- note this, having a 2nd or 3rd and so on, c-section is NOT consider "elective"-- it is considered a "repeat"... and elective c-section is a c/s that is scheduled for the 1st pregnancy for no medical indication....

Good luck with your delivery...

Answer 5

After having a c-section with my first child, I opted for repeat c-section with my second. My doctor would only schedule it for as much as 12 days before my due date. Also, my doctors scheduled surgery dates at the hospital are Tuesdays and Thursdays. Knowing my due date was December 1 we pulled out the calendar to pick a day. We didn't want her birthdate to ever fall on Thanksgiving, and since it moves from year to year we were able to calculate that the earliest Thanksgiving can be is the 22nd and the latest it can be is the 28th. So we picked the 21st--which met all the criteria we wanted (Tuesday, 10 days before due date, never fall on Thanksgiving). We had the date picked very early in the pregnancy, but my doctor made us wait until after "the big ultrasound" at 20 weeks to double check due date and verify the baby was growing on schedule. Then right after my appointment at 20 weeks we were finally able to put it on the doctor's calendar.

Answer 6

Mine was scheduled for 39 weeks and they put me on the Dr's book when I was around 30 weeks. This was my second child and I chose elective, as my first ended up being an emergency section. I found this one much easier than the first and not a bad recovery at all. Best of luck to you!

Answer 7

Honestly I wanted to do an elective C section myself. But I went into labour before my elective date. So instead I got an epidural, which they use for c secs anyways, and I felt no pain during my entire labour and birth. So I'd advise you to try it this way over electing a c sec. C sections have way more risky complications then a vaginal delivery. And if you are electing to have a c sec cause you are afraid of being loose in your hoo hoo region afterwards, take it from me, it's tighter then it used to be even 6 weeks post partum. But to answer your specific question, a few friends of mine had thiers booked at 30-32 weeks..... Good luck! Happy Delivery Day!

Answer 8

I can't remember how early I discussed a date with my doctor (it was 9 years ago) but I do remember Molly was born a week before her due date.
The reason for this, my doctor told me is that they didn't want me to go into labour.
I'm now expecting my 3rd (and last) child which will also be a elective c-sec.
My pelvis is too small to give birth (although you'd not think it to look at me and my child bearing hips lol) so I also have had no choice.

I hate being asked if I was 'Too posh to push'.....makes my blood boil

Answer 9

You need to talk to your doctor, every one is different. Some will arrange it at 37-38 weeks, some arrange it as soon as 30 weeks. It is completly up to your doctor and what he/she prefers. Some wait until later to try to have the baby in there as long as possible, some do it earlier just so it is on the books and they and you have a heads up.

Answer 10

Usually they will talk to you around 20- 25 weeks, ask you why you are electing to have one, and go from there. I know most of these people are saying that Dr.'s will try and talk you out of it, but unfortunately nowadays that isn't true. My Dr. was talking me INTO it, for numerous reasons. I had developed gestational hypertension early on, and from that moment on he was trying to get my to schedule it, because he knew I'd have to go early. There are more csection births now, then vaginal.

I hope it all goes well for you, and GOOD LUCK!