My baby is currently in transverse position, but I am already set up for my 5th c-section. It isn't recommended here in the US to do c-section before 39 weeks anymore- My first 3 babies were born via c-section right at 38 weeks...then they changed the law on it, so baby number #4 was scheduled at 39 weeks, and I went into labor with her on my own right at 38 weeks. I was scared the whole time having it be a 4th c-section due to the concern of uterine rupture the whole time...and am facing that fear again for this 5th c-section.
My doctors just keep saying to come in as soon as I go into labor. I am sure that I will go into labor before my c-section date again, as is my doctor, but they still won't do the c/s any sooner. I would talk to your doctor about your concern. Unless you have incredibly fast labors, you should be able to make it in on time to have an unplanned, but non-emergency c-section. (As far as being knocked out entirely...with my last baby I waited way too long before going in, by the time they started the c-section my contractions were less than a minute apart and I was feeling pressure- the spinal that they give you for the c-sections is usually pretty quick at numbing up your lower half, it didn't quite work that way for me on the last c-section, but they still didn't knock me out completely, they kept me pretty drugged up).
I had a really quick labour with my son of 3hrs so was hoping I could just do the same but I'm not hopefully, Iv been doing the exercises already but to no avail and I'm also limited as I had bad spd, I need to use crutches so I can't do the whole "walking helps them turn" thing! 
