I am currently 31weeks 2 days pregnant. I had a meeting with my consultant yesterday to discuss the delivery options. I want a planned c-section.
So far I am not at any high risk pregnancy, my baby size is normal, blood pressure is normal, my gestational diabetes level is under control with the diet. Everything looks fine except my age (I will be an older mum).
My doctor told me that the c-section will possibly on 39weeks. She mentioned c-section at 39weeks is safe. However, if anything earlier than 39weeks, c-section may be a higher risk option. She explained to me that a premature baby's lung is not fully developed, delivered by c-section could have breathing problems.
My concern is my age, I am 40 and my uterine muscles are not flexible as young women. I may have difficulty delivering a baby vaginally. My mentally and physically are not preparing for a vaginal birth.
Another thing is, I want to put my baby's safety first, what if I can't deliver a baby vaginally, if the baby lacks oxygen during the vaginal birth process. Isn't it more dangerous?
I heard lots of stories around me, they tried to deliver a baby vaginally but had an emergency c-section at the end.
In my mind, I want a planned c-section and I still believe it is the best for both my baby and me.
Can you share your planned c-section experience with me? Did your baby come earlier than 39weeks?
At the moment, everythings looks fine between the baby and me (we don't have any health conditions). Is it very common for babies to come earlier than 39weeks?
Thanks in advance.
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Mary2022
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Similar reasons to you (I was 39) and they wanted to bring him in to the world earlier to help with the risk of still birth.
Absolutely the best decision we made. It was a really peaceful process, no emergencies, all smooth and they brought him out really slowly and allowed him to wriggle out a bit himself. They also did delayed cord clamping.
My recovery was quite quick and was out in the park after a week.
Thanks for your share. Yes, I really want a planned c-section, I really hope my baby will be staying till 39weeks for the best result. Do you mind sharing how many days you stayed in the hospital after the c-section operation? Did you need to remove the stitches from the wound later on?
Thank you. That's really helpful. Did you feel any pains after the c-section operation? Did you use the c-section recovery corset/belt after the operation? Could walk on the second day or not? Sorry that I have too many questions but I really want to know more and prepare myself..It is getting closer to the delivery day..
It was painful but nothing I couldn't handle. They gave me lots of drugs but I only used paracetamol for a few days. They get you to stand up about 4 hours after the c-section and you are encouraged to move around as much as you can to stop blood clots... so yes by the second day I was moving around the room - having a shower etc.
I didn't use a recovery belt no - after about 2 weeks I started using scar patches to help bring the scar down - they helped a little but not much.
The actual scar was numb for a good few months - which is an odd sensation but totally fine
Hi Millibanks congrats on your birth! Would you mind sharing the clinic you used and whether you thought it was worth it compared to NHS? Thank you in advance x
Hi Mary, my consultant reassured me that if I went into spontaneous labour before the planned c section date they would just get me in and do it earlier. As first time mums tend to have slower labours she didn't consider this an issue. So it shouldn't be that if you choose a c section you can't still have one if baby comes before 39 weeks.
Also just as reassurance, my baby was delivered via c section at 37+4 due to preeclampsia and she's a perfect little peanut and has no breathing issues x
Thanks for your share. Yes, my friend had a twins c-section at 37weeks without any breathing issues. My consultant possibly wanted to explain pros and cons regarding to c-section to me. I can still have the c-section if my baby come a bit early. Fingers crossed 🤞
hi, I had a planned section for my second baby (3 weeks ago) and it was so calm and relaxed compared to my first birth experience. I would recommend it if you’re feeling anxious about your birth. It should be your choice in what way you give birth but I know some midwives will try and convince you otherwise. I also had in my birth plan that if I went into labour early, I would still opt for the section, so you have the option available to you if you happen to go into labour prior to 39 weeks. X
Thanks for your share. My midwife actually supports and respect my decision. But just the consultant, she tried to convince me to have a vaginal birth if baby comes early. I also understand it is her job to explain the risk factors on the c-section if the baby comes earlier than 39weeks. She told me I still can have a c-section if I want. To be honest, I don't think I will be too early born baby because we are doing quite well so far and there is no medical/ health reasons to delivery early. If it happen early, it should be quite close to 39weeks I guess..
echoing others experiences of “elective” Csection. Mine was advised for medical reasons but the experience was calm and the staff lovely. I was out within a day. Scariest bit was the spinal but they were really kind and reassuring! My little boy was born at 37 weeks with an apgar score of 9! I was warned the csections can cause some babies to have breathing issues but if baby is large and full term, the risks are reduced.
My immediate recovery was quick but I do still feel some tightness (no pain) which I imagine is the muscles still knitting together properly. I read that a full recovery from c section is 6 months. But in context, I was walking about by tea time after my section.
Just to say though they prioritise medical need on the day so you might have a wait and you aren’t allowed to eat. There were 3 other people in the bay I was in, who had chosen a section and the longest would have had to wait until mid afternoon. I would definitely take a puzzle book or something to do. X
Thanks for your share, it is really helpful. My baby size and weight is in the normal range so I guess it should be fine with the c-section. I don't have any medical reason to delivery baby early so hopefully my baby will stay until 39weeks as planned.
It seems you recover very quickly. I also hope I can walk and carry on the normal daily life soon after the c-section. Fingers crossed 🤞
I have had two planned sections. Both at 38 weeks 4 days due to placenta previa. Both very calm. My first i had thr baby at 11.50am and was home watching loose women for 12.30 the following day. I lost alot of blood in theatre but it was very well controlled and i actually only new as more staff came in. Not rushing in, again calm but was aware of more people. My second section was a bit more complex and took longer to stich me up. I was in hospital for 3 nights, then readmitted twice once i got home. The drugs are amazing. You are paralysed from your armpits but can move your arms. It is a weird feeling not beingh able to move. You feel pulling, bit it isn't sore. You don't feel thrm stitching you back up. Fairly quickly the numbness starts to come away and you can move your toes etc. They encourage you to move.I have had two very different sections and both times i felt completely safe, happy with how thibgs were going and the recovery really isn't that bad. Whwn walking i was aware when i needed to go home. It took me two weeks until i felt fully recovered, bit given it is major surgery i don't think this is bad.
Never used a belt. The scars are minimal. I have a small frame but do have a bit of a over hang. I honestly can't even see the scars bit can feel them. Hope all goes well.
I had an elective c-section at 39 weeks 6 days. I had a low lying placenta my whole pregnancy (said I could choose as borderline) and previous surgery on womb, so maybe medical reasons for mine, but opted to wait as long as possible as both myself and baby was going well!
It was very calm and a lovely experience really for major surgery. I was tender after, but I would not say it hurt. Simple analgesia was enough. I only stayed in hospital for one night, home the next day. Able to move around fine and was out walking by day 10. No sutures for me to remove and luckily no wound infection and all healed well!
I was not a fan of the spinal .. did not like the feeling after baby was born that I could not feel/move my legs, but it did pass. But this was the worst part for me really.
Also took a little longer for my milk to come in for breastfeeding, but all was well and we eventually managed that really well too!
Wishing you all the best for upcoming arrival of your little one 🥰🥹🧡
I see. Thanks for your information. I will ask my doctor whether they will use internal sutures and skin glue or not. I will prepare myself for that. 👍🏻
In regards to the stiches...i was told it depends on thr surgeon and their preference. First one not sure of the name, but didn't need anything removed. The second time i had the beaded ones. When thry took them out it is over in seconds and afterwards i felt better. I didn't realise at the time that i felt anything as thought i was just healing, but once removed i felt that the stiches were tight andi was moving more. Honestly you will be fine. The medical team do this EVERYDAY they have to tell you worst case situation but in reality this is very rare. X
hi, I’m not sure what the midwife is talking about as term is really 37 weeks - no baby is considered prem from then on. It depends on your body and often what it was like for your mum, but in general most first babies are late (later than 40 weeks) and lots of planned c section are scheduled for 39 weeks. Some for 38 - and lots of twins are born c section from 32 weeks. It sounds like she’s given you an unnecessary scare.
This comes from a mum who had her first at age 41, wanted a home birth, diagnosed with GD in week 39 and pushed down the induction route at 40+6 - also ended in an emergency c section (although that was a last resort and not a quick let’s rush her in)
So with hindsight… and now if I had a second one having had a c section, I’d book a c section for 40 weeks on the dot and try naturally up until that point.
Btw if you book your c section for week 40 or 39 and you go into labour earlier they can bring your c section forward. Don’t worry about the baby not being ready at that point, because your body has started labour so the most likely outcome is your baby is 100% ready to come out.
Thanks for your share, it gives me confidence. It was the consultant (not my midwife) gave me unnecessary scare. I don't have any medical risk, both baby and me are doing well so far. I don't think they need to take my baby out early. Fingers crossed my baby will stick to the plan c-section at 39 weeks.
Oh consultants 🙄 I saw so many and they all have their own agenda. One of them actually gave me the stats of still birth - it goes from 1 in 500 for under 40 to 1 in 400 after 40 weeks. So yes the risk increases but when you actually take it into account it’s not the most likely. They are also very good at monitoring the heart beat and baby if you get worried in later weeks and they don’t tell you until you’re 36 weeks. You have a direct line really to the hospital - you can just go in and get checked over. They have to cover themselves by telling you the risks as you make the decisions but some of these things you have to take with a pinch of salt. I’d much rather have been prepped for a planned c section than how it was. At least I would have had some sleep 😂
They monitor my pregnancy, every 3weeks I need to have an ultrasound and consultation with a doctor. There is no reason or any medical risk needed to take out my baby early. Fingers crossed stick to the plan to have c-section at 39weeks.
I totally agree with you. The consultant care I’ve had has been a total waste of time. Felt like she was putting me off having a c sec at 20 weeks, and really pushed me into natural at my last appt at 34 weeks. Don’t feel like I can make my own decision, but I’m sticking to my guns. Going to try natural, why not, they'll induce at 39 weeks if not happened before then. Also 40 and she did scare me with the risk of still birth post 40 weeks, but the risk is only ever so slightly increased. Sometimes you can get too much info! xxx
I know! I felt the same way over being pushed into induction because I was over 40. One consultant said it’s not like there’s a ticking time bomb, every woman is different but somewhere over the three weeks after they see an increased likelihood in the placenta not working. Like you say it’s actually a fairly slim increase than it is for everyone. I think sometimes they go overboard but they are just trying to stay safe. Anyway all the best it will be fine xx
I also received a letter from the hospital "Positive Birth Service Clinic". It is about a telephone appointment with a member of the antenatal team (it is arranged in this month). The purpose of the appointment including discuss the mode of delivery for this pregnancy...
I got a feeling the hospital (the consultant and the antenatal team member) is trying to convince me to have a vaginal birth, constantly telling me the risk of c-section. They totally ignore there is also risk of vaginal birth, no delivery mode is 100% safe. I will insist my decision and if they reject to offer me a c-section, they should refer me to another hospital/ consultant who can offer me for the c-section, that is.
Sorry to jump in but wanted to say I completely agree with this. I opted for an elective c section with both my babies and remember the dr ticking the box on my notes to say she’d explained the risks of a vaginal birth to me, when she hadn’t at all but she’d happily gone through every risk with a c section. Some drs are still very biased on their opinions when it comes to birth choices
Yes, I understand it is their job to explain the risks of having c-section. However, they told many times risks of c-section (they did not tell me any risks of vaginal birth and they assume vaginal birth is 100% safe), I think I heard one time is enough and I don't need to hear numbers of times. It just put me unnecessary pressure. Anyway I will stick on the plan to have a c-section.
I’m sure that will be the case and nearer the time they can monitor it much more frequently than that if they need to. ☺️ good luck 🤞 but I’m 90% certain you’ll get to week 39
I had my little boy this year by planned c-section at 39 weeks. I had no medical issues other than gestational diabetes and that was very well controlled through dietary changes. I was made aware of the risks (albeit small) to the baby’s breathing if opting for a c-section but for me it was paramount that he was delivered safely with no issues particularly in light of my age (44) and that I’d had two early miscarriages previously. It was the best decision I made. The procedure was swift and I was well looked after by the medical staff. There were no complications other than my blood pressure being on the low side and having to therefore stay at hospital for two nights. At the hospital the pain was controlled through the use of painkillers. When I got home I only used paracetamol and ibuprofen and stopped taking those a week later. I was able to go for a walk 6 days after my c-section and my wound has healed perfectly fine. I was able to shower the day after the c-section. My breast milk came in three days after I had the c-section and there was plenty of colostrum for my son to have for the first three days. I wish you the best of luck and hope everything goes well. X
Thanks for your share and congratulations 🥳 I also have no medical issues other than gestational diets (same as you well controlled through diets). I also concern my age, for me it would be peace of mind choosing for the planned c-section. Fingers crossed 🤞
I had my LB in 2022 by GA c section at 38w3d (my waters broke at this date and went into labour but baby's heart wasn't coping well. In August this year I had a planned section with baby 2 at 39 weeks. I was worried as it's expected for second babies to come earlier. We made it to the planned date and it was so exciting waking up that morning knowing we were going to meet baby. If I'd gone into labour naturally, as long as I wasn't really dilated, it was written on my notes that I wanted a section. It would have been classed as emergency, but only because it was unplanned. After sections my NHS hospital keeps you in for 24 hours. I was in for 3 nights with my LB and 2 this year, to help me with feeding. My stitches were dissolvable and don't need removing. Just the standard recovery of not lifting anything heavier than baby or driving for 6 weeks. It was a really special experience and the midwife took photos on my phone of baby being born. We still had the skin to skin and it we forgot the medical staff were there. It felt very private between us and baby
Congratulations , thanks for sharing❤️ My consultant will meet me again in 3 weeks time, and she will book me for the 39weeks c-section. Hopefully things will go as planned. Reading you guys experiences, give me more confidence
I had a planned elective c-section (somewhere between 38/39 weeks - can't remember now exactly!). Consultant said there was absolutely no medical reason to have it but as the baby was measuring very big he thought it was likely I'd need one; said totally my choice to try vaginally but he said his worst case is an emergency c-section. So I had the planned and as far as I was aware at the time, it went absolutely fine and was incredibly calm (actually it turned out the baby somehow still got stuck and I lost a lot of blood but I knew nothing about that as everyone carried on like it was normal). I was so worried about recovery but actually I was home and walking around (gingerly) within 24hrs and the pain was definitely manageable with just paracetamol and ibuprofen (but you absolutely have to keep these up, and the effect is kind of cumulative). Scar was hardly visible even the day after as I guess they had enough time to do it carefully, and gave me no trouble. I am definitely having an elective again based on that experience, including as had I not done so the consultant said because the baby was so stuck (and big) I couldn't have delivered vaginally and it would have been an emergency as he'd predicted, putting me and her at risk. Things go right or wrong with both types of delivery and recovery is so individual, so just remember it's your choice and you should do whatever you think is right and you feel most comfortable with x
Thanks for your share. My baby size is normal so far, but my mentally and physically are not prepared for the vaginal birth. I really not feel confident on doing vaginal birth. I agree to you, we should choose the way we feel most comfortable with.
It's a shame we feel the need to look for a reason to justify something that happens to our bodies - so I was glad in a way when the doctor said I couldn't have done it vaginally as then somehow I felt vindicated. But I would have done a c-section anyway, even if she hadn't been big as like you I was not convinced my body could do it and I had absolutely no wish to try vaginally. I was terrified the baby would come early and they'd make me try (they said that situation was highly unlikely and it would have had to have been an extremely quick labour to get beyond the point of doing the section). Go with whatever you are most comfortable with, ultimately all that matters is that you and the baby are safe and well x
I totally understand it. Although I don't have any medical reason to have a c-section, my age is my concern about. I am 40 and my uterine muscles are not flexible as young women. I may have difficulty delivering a baby vaginally. If I were younger, I might try it, but I am 40 years old now. I believe having a planned c-section is the best for me and my baby. Hopefully things will go smooth. Thanks for your share 👍🏻
The only thing I would add is that I wouldn't worry too much about your age and uterine muscles - everyone's different and I was a few days off 38 with my first and will be a coupleof days off 40 with the current one if it works out. Apparently my womb muscles are so flexible that it sort of wanders off - every scan I've had they've laughed and said it's moved, or they've 'lost' an ovary as it's gone walkabout, which always worries me but they don't seem bothered - so I think just be happy with normal flexibility
I echo pretty much everything that’s been said already, but also wanted to reassure you that my twins were born at 37 weeks via c-section and they’re both perfectly healthy. My little boy did need some help with his breathing initially but they acted super quick, I wasn’t even aware in the moment, and he’s had no long term impact. I was in for four nights, the recovery was absolutely fine for me too. I was sore but nothing that wasn’t manageable at home. I had the glue, incredibly neat scar that’s now barely visible.
If I’m lucky enough to have another, I’d also opt for an elective c-section because my experience was so positive.
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Planned C Section at 33 weeks, being told I can have Steroids but that the risks may outway the benefits
Elective c section 
