Some of you may have seen me post in the past that I am a Labor and Delivery nurse. Just wanted to pass along this info as it is now being enforced (at least at the hospital I deliver in).
As of Oct 1, due to changes in Medicaid (and therefore all other insurance companies as well), you cannot be electively induced or be given a repeat cesarean (also considered an elective procedure) any earlier than 39 weeks--unless a medical condition exists that gives cause to deliver before 39. Only medical reasons (pregnancy induced hypertension, complicated twin gestations, gestational diabetes, etc.) will be a reason to do either any earlier than 39 weeks.
Just wanted to let you all know so there would be no surprises when you tell your doctor at 38 weeks that you're "Done!" and they tell you you have to wait another week.
Re: FYI: No more elective deliveries < 39 weeks.
It's basically everywhere because of the laws in Texas.
Dx: PCOS and short luteal phase
18 cycles (3 with our RE) - Metformin + Clomid + HCG booster did the trick!
BFP #1 6/22/09 EDD: 3/2/10 DS born: 3/8/10
TTC #2 since Dec 2011
BFP #2 7/8/12 EDD: 3/18/12 M/C @ 9w1d: 8/16/12
Wonder if this would have made things harder in my case?
Personally, I had no desire to deliver early, but my c-sections were considered elective by the ins. cos. measuring stick. I believe in a long cook time is a good thing, which is the point of this rule.
However, according to what my doc explained to me at 37 weeks despite extremely low fluid, no room in my womb to turn, and a footling breech positioning, it was still considered an elective c-section. That made me rethink how I felt about how elective some elective c-sections really are.
After a month of bed rest and monitoring, it seemed odd to be considered elective. It was medically necessary, but somehow still elective. Perhaps this would meet the etc.; plus I had GD, so maybe I'd meet that loophole?
I held on as long as they let me with the first. They had suggested briefly to go in at 33 weeks, and I made it to 37 weeks in part by insisting we wait as long as possible. With my second, I waited until 40 and walked in for a c-section again.
Because insurance is about profit, not about health.
I think this is a great new policy. So glad to see it.
so I guess I am confused. I had a c section at 38.5 weeks due to the size of the baby. I have no desire to try a VBAC whenever I et pregnant again.
So this means I can schedule one but has to be after 39 weeks? What happens if I go into labor before 39 weeks? Am I still able to have a c section?
Sorry if this sounds dense...I may just be missing something.
Correct...labor --- ACTUAL labor (contractions that cause cervical change) = medically necessary. Your doctor cannot schedule you before 39 weeks, but if you go into labor before, of course, they'll do the c/s then.