WWYD- scheduled c-sec date

besu-chan

I'm having a scheduled c-section for my twins. All along my OB has told me that if we do a scheduled c, it will be the week I hit 37weeks. At my appointment yesterday, she gave me some dates to choose from- 37w2d, 37w3d, 38w2d, and 38w3d (has to do with the days of the week that she schedules her operations normally). So my question is: should I try to hold out for 38weeks? Of course more time in the womb would be great, but if I choose a later date, that means there's a higher chance that I would go into labor or have complications before that and have an emergency c-section. So far my pregnancy has been fairly smooth, but I know that everything can change very quickly. How much benefit is that extra week in the womb if it's after 37weeks? Enough to risk it?

Other minor (unimportant) factors: I would obviously be more uncomfortable longer; DH goes back to work at 37w6d, so he would have to take more personal days with the later date; my Mom flies into town at 36w2d, so the later date means less time for her with the babies; DH's birthday and our wedding anniversary are just a few weeks before, so the later date would spread out the festivities a bit; the later date would give the girls a better chance of a birthday after school starts back, which both DH and I think is more fun... and on and on. But again, those other factors are not at all important to our decision, just other things that could tip the scales one way or the other, all things being equal.

Sorry for the long post. My head is spinning and I keep going back and forth on this one- I never expected this to even be an option so I wasn't prepared at all

TIA for any thoughts and opinions!

cookiemonster03

Does your OB have a preference? I know a lot of OBs will let MoMs go to 38 or 39 w, but our MFM schedules all twins for 37w.

besu-chan

cookiemonster03:

Does your OB have a preference? I know a lot of OBs will let MoMs go to 38 or 39 w, but our MFM schedules all twins for 37w.

She didn't mention any preference.

Rangergal9

I had my scheduled c/s at 38 weeks 1 day and had no complications and never dilated at all.  I would hold out, because even with all the minor inconveniences, having them bake longer outweighs them all, IMO.  My OB wouldn't even schedule a c/s without any complications prior to 38 weeks.

UsedToBeGoldie

my hospital won't schedule anything earlier than 38w for twins.... i made it to 38w1d with no signs of labor for my scheudled c/s date...

any day you schedule it you'll have a chance of not making it to that date - you'll always worry - so i'd schedule the latest you can... yes, more time in the womb does matter - studies have shown it... so the longer you can go the better - up to 38w.

I wouldn't consider all those logisitcs about other people's schedules- i'd just be concerned with cooking the babies as long as you can.... and they'll decide if they'll come sooner or not

D&HMom

my scheduled c was 37 weeks 6 days. basically as close to 38 as we could get but she had OR time on the thursday and not the friday.  I would have had to wait until the following tuesday.  

Turns out I went into labour 3 hours before my OR time!  I just went in when labour started and they prepped me right away and they delivered the babies within the hour of my arrival. So to say it was an emergency section is stretching it. they moved quickly but not because anyone was in any danger.  Its just the farther you progress the harder the surgery is.

I would bake them as long as possible and see what happens. 

sail123

D&HMom:

my scheduled c was 37 weeks 6 days. basically as close to 38 as we could get but she had OR time on the thursday and not the friday.  I would have had to wait until the following tuesday.  

Turns out I went into labour 3 hours before my OR time!  I just went in when labour started and they prepped me right away and they delivered the babies within the hour of my arrival. So to say it was an emergency section is stretching it. they moved quickly but not because anyone was in any danger.  Its just the farther you progress the harder the surgery is.

I would bake them as long as possible and see what happens. 

 

I agree with this. I also went into labor but had a c-section the same day. I was only 33.5 weeks so they did try to stop labor, though unsuccessfully. Because I was so early, they let me labor until I was 5cm dilated, and then they wheeled me into the OR and did a c-section. It was not an emergency, it was not rushed, there was plenty of time.

 

I would schedule it at around 38 weeks and then if you go into labor earlier, just go to the hospital. It won't be an emergency c-section, just an unscheduled one.  

MrsSweetpeaMagee607

My c-section was scheduled for 38 weeks and the boys were delivered by c-section at 36w4ds... I went in for an ultrasound and NST but due to my high blood pressure and pre-e I delivered later that day. 

Fancy3Face

I would hold out if you can for 38w. 

My OB said the latest and earliest they'd schedule for was 38w.  I only got to 36w1d.

missfire

Mine were a scheduled C-section at exactly 37 weeks, and DS spent 4 hours in the NICU for low oxygen levels, and then didn't have a good suck swallow reflex for eating, and didn't breastfeed well. This was even after getting the steroid shots around 35 weeks when they thought we might have to deliver early. I have always wondered if waiting another week would have meant successful breastfeeding and a less stressful birthday for them and me.

If I could go back, I would wait until 38 weeks. If you go into labor earlier, it is a good indicator they are ready to be born.

snoangel79

My doctor said 38 weeks they will schedule if they don't come sooner. I'd keep them in as long as you can if there are no complications. I work  in L&D and they always keep an extra OR open just in case.

ColleenS629

If I hadn't had complications, my c/s would have been at 38w. As it was, my twins were born at 36w5d so almost 37w. My Baby B had to go to the NICU and be put on cpap. The doctor said Baby A's lungs were more mature because he was stressed in utero. I would choose a date in the 38w range to try to minimize the risk of breathing problems, etc.

MrsLnt

Mine were born at 37w 1d because my MFM was adamant about not going beyond 38w and because of her call schedule and the OR schedule, we could only get in at 37w1d. 

My babies were fine and didn't need NICU but they were a little on the sleepy side and didn't latch at all. I think another few days wouldn't have been the worst thing for them, especially DS who seemed a bit grunty when he was born. Boys usually have slower lung development than girls so I was more concerned about him than DD.  The day before my c-section I asked my doctor if they were better off out than in and she said "out" based on their BPPs. To her, the risk of placenta problems was not worth it to wait another week for babies that always scored 5/5 on their BPPs. 

chellsii

If your OB gave you those dates to choose from, obviously it's safe either one. I don't think your OB would give you a date that could possibly harm your babies, so now it's completely up to you and what would work best for you, DH and your family. Personally I'd take the 37w3d. My DS was born at 37 weeks all on his own and we had no issues.My OB isn't letting me go past 38weeks cause after that there is a higher chance of still born, that's what I was told. I wish you the best of luck and choose the date that best suites your feelings and schedule.

punkin06

i just gave birth at 37wks6days to twins.  i would HOLD OUT longer if i were you.  my singleton at 40 wks weighed the same as my twin A (5,13), but their maturity differences are noticeable.  my singleton was a bit stronger than twin A. my twin B was 5lbs 8oz and had some blood sugar fluctuations. i dont regret my decision for an induction esp since my bp was rising and i was having contractions anyhow, but i do see the value of waiting and keeping them baking longer.

besu-chan

Thanks ladies. It's good to hear that an extra week can make a big difference, even after 37 weeks.