For those going for an ELCS, do you worry about the cooking time?

[xxxLeoxxx]

I had an EMCS with DS1 and the more this pregnancy progresses the more I'm leaning towards having an elective.

My main (but not only) concern is that my baby is being born before it's fully cooked. DS1 was born at 42 weeks and that was after several sweeps so he probably would've waited even longer given the chance.

My understanding is that a ELCS would be done at 38 or 39 weeks, meaning that baby could potentially be being born 3 or 4 weeks before it would naturally have arrived.

Is this a cornern for anyone else?

 

[MamaLa]

This is my first pregnancy. I am also trying to keep my LO in here as long as possible. But I really want to experience a vaginal birth so my last on my list would be ELCS.

But I know plenty of people who have naturally had early babies who were perfectly healthy and happy. So I don't see a reason to worry. My OB says they come when they are ready. "Sometimes they don't want to come out so we take them out for your comfort. " Lol.

 

[DocMcStuffins]

Not for me.

My dd1 was born by emcs at 40+4. Then I chose to have an elcs with dd2. I had her at 38+2. She was/is absolutely perfect. There were no health concerns or worries at all, she needed no help whatsoever.

This time I'm going for an elcs again and will be booked in for around 38-39 weeks and I have no concerns again.

X

 

[edthedog]

My daughter was delivered by ELCS at 38+5 and tbh I think she could have definitely done with a couple more weeks inside as she was so sleepy but my hospital now does electives at 39 weeks at the earliest and looks as though mine will be around 39+5 which makes me feel a bit better.

If you're concerned (which I was) then push for a later section; it just means there's more chance of going in to labour beforehand but my consultant wasn't concerned and just said to come in once I knew it was really happening and they'd do it straight away.

Good luck xx

 

[CastawayBride]

Babies are full term at 37 weeks and they won't even stop you at that point if you go into labor b/c of it.

I am being induced at 39 weeks as I know far to well the devastating effects of loosing a child and fear what happens if baby stays in too long and things start to go wrong. I think we have become so weighed down with baby should stay in as long as possible that we are now starting to hear about healthy babies loosing their life due to placenta failure and other accidents that could have been prevented.

With that being said I think elective CS/inductions should be at the 39th/40th week as your body will be ready as well as baby. I do feel at 37 weeks and even 38 baby may need a bit more time to get ready for the outside world but also would not even blink if it was recommended at that point to deliver.

 

[maisie78]

Hi just popping over from first tri and spotted this thread. I had an emcs with dd at 39 weeks (waters broke at 38+5) and will be opting for an elcs this time. I have no real concerns about this lo coming out a little early. Dd was perfect and had no health issues at all (these came later but had nothing to do with her birth). I don't think it does them any harm to come at 38/39 weeks and most hospitals now try to leave it until 39 weeks. They are fully cooked at 37 weeks.

 

[Fallacy]

Micah was born at 38 weeks, so I'm not worried. He was perfectly fine. If all goes as planned and I get a section at 39 weeks, the baby will have cooked longer than Micah! If baby comes earlier, as long as they are healthy, I'm happy.

 

[RcdM]

The thought had crossed my mind, especially because my due date changed a few times earlier on so I was worried that we'd be doing the c-section too early (I know when I ovulated even though my due date doesn't align to that based on baby's growth) but either way it would technically be at least after 37 weeks so I'm sure it will be okay. My dr says they will schedule the section for 39 weeks. My dd was born at 30 weeks so honestly I'd be happy with anything after that LOL

 

[izzlesnizzle]

Can I ask how were the recoveries second time round? I had an emcs with DD after a 43 hour back to back labour that failed to progress. My consultant thinks I will do well with a vbac this time as my body knows what to do now as it dilated to 8cm eventually. I never made it to 10cm before they whipped me into theatre. She said I can have an elcs if I want one and to tell her my decision at 35 weeks and she'll book me but if I want to try naturally then she will let me go to 41+3 then it would be a section as she wont induce me or if I labour spontaneously then she will let me labour 12 hours, if baby doesn't come then it will be an emcs. Seems like theres a high chance of a section for me as 12 hours isn't long to labour for. Though it might be quicker this time she said. I worry about the recovery with having a young toddler.

 

[izzlesnizzle]

Sorry OP, went completely OT there!

 

[DocMcStuffins]

Personally for me my recovery both times was amazing!

I thought it was good after my emcs but it was even better after my elective. I left hospital in 24 hours, was up and about doing everything I was before, we went out for the day on day 3 and I didn't take a single painkiller once I left the hospital.
Looking after my 19 month old and the newborn was no problem at all.

I'm hoping for a recovery that's just as easy this time!

X