C-Section Plan & Due Date Advice

miracleshappen04

Hi, all -
So my water birth dream has been dashed (with my first, I had an emergency CS after arriving at the hospital at 8cm, and had no idea why).
My current OB GYN says to plan another CS due to the same possible reason (small fibroid near cervical OS/opening that could affect full dilation). 

Questions:
1) what would you love the have/prepare for if you’re also heading to another CS?

2) Since our initial due date was Jan 6, we can opt for planning a CS in late Dec 2022 or early Jan 2023. If health-wise, all is fine, what would you choose and why?
(My husband says Jan 2023 so baby can be the eldest in her year, and I say late Dec 2022 so she can start earlier in NY, but open to whatever is best).

best wishes!

willrunforcookies

@miracleshappen04 well, if you wanted to have a Canadian hockey player I'd say January based on Outliers.  If she was born in Dec, couldn't you still redshirt her if she wasn't ready for kindergarten? You could also consider any tax benefits for this year.  
Also that's interesting for NY,  in most states they must be 5 by Aug or Sept of the year they start kindergarten.

klamsb5

I've had 4 CS's and this one will be #5. My doc won't allow me to go to 40 wks and says it's required to be done at 39 wks. That in mind, I can choose a date between 38w0d - 39w6d And it has to be a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday because those are the only days my doctor schedules Csections. Check with your doctor to see if he/she has limitations. With you being so close to the 1st of the year, you can consider tax break for this year or next year. If you celebrate Christmas, the closer baby's birthday is to major holiday Also brings on challenges with parties. Looks like your baby will always have a birthday during school break My advice is to pick a date that has some sort of special meaning to you. Good luck and congratulations!

katj10

Well if your baby's birth date is before or on December 31, 2022 you can claim baby as a dependent on your 2022 taxes for the full year, which is a few thousand dollars (in the US, though I'm assuming this is similar elsewhere). On the other hand, my husband and I have been saying that we hope our baby makes it to after Jan 1 since we feel like people who have birthdays between Christmas and New Year's Day get forgotten about since everyone is in holiday mode, not back at school yet, etc.

miracleshappen04

Ah yes, the Outliers! Something about higher rates of success for Jan-Mar babies (basically since they’re usually the eldest in class, better at sports, academics, etc). 

Now I’ve completely shifted from a late-Dec baby to a new year-ish baby. If she can hold out that long! We just can’t wait to see her - but patience is a virtue (reminder to self).

thanks, all!
(And yes, she can be red-shirted, as my son was, to avoid being the youngest - I esp advise that for boys. Many NY school districts allow those who turn 4 by Dec 1 or 31st to enter pre-K).

footdrbritt

Here to echo I would choose December because of tax benefits but also if you’ve met your deductible for insurance that’s a plus. I know it’s a crappy reason to pick, but I would go for December.