Scheduling c-section before, on or after due date?

plainandsimple

My Dr. said if I choose a RCS over VBAC, she would typically schedule it for 1 week before my due date through my due date itself.  Because I like the idea that my body & baby know when it's time to be born, I would prefer to go into early labor and then have a c-section.  If that is not smart for some reason (e.g. complicates the surgery) then I would prefer to schedule as late as possible -- on the due date or a few days after.  DS was 9 days late (I went into labor on 8 days past the due date).

Does anyone have experience with planning to go into early labor and then having a planned c-section prior to active labor?  With scheduling before, on or after the due date?  What considerations should I be thinking about?

(I am not interested in an earlier c-section and my state does not even allow them prior to 39 weeks without a medical necessity.)

kes77

I don't have much advice on this topic but my OB scheduled my repeat c/s 2 days before my due date and I went into labor 3 days before my scheduled c/s.  I went into labor around midnight and went to the hospital an hour later.  My OB didn't come in to do the surgery until 6 am, so I was in early labor at 4-5 cm dialated before my surgery and all went well. HTH

rockychryslerb2010

I had a scheduled csection at 39w3d and was told to immediately go to the hospital if I had any signs of labor.  They did not want me going into labor at all (csection was due to Micronesia), so maybe it is more difficult the further the baby descends into the birth canal.

FemShep

Depending on the medical reasons for the CS, most OBs schedule them during the 39th week, especially if labor could increase the chance of complications.  Because each case is different, you should ask your OB about how late they are willing to let you go.  

With DD, my CS was scheduled at 39w, but my water broke 6 days early and I had the CS immediately.  With this baby, CS is scheduled for 39w2d, but I'm having irregular contractions so who knows when baby will come? 

rach312

I'm trying for a VBAC and wanted to give my body as much time as possible.  My OB had me schedule the c/s for two days after my due date.  Right now the baby is breech (again) and it's looking more and more like another c/s.  They originally mentioned having me schedule for 39 weeks but that was before they knew how badly I wanted to vbac.  I'm hoping the baby turns, but right now it's not looking good. 

Candace52309

I know what you mean that you want your body and baby to decide. Thats what I'm doing. Unfortunately my body has so much internal damage from a car wreck 6 yrs ago, that Drs say my body is "responding to labor" and isnt producing hormones. My DD was the 10th and I have my c-section scheduled for This Sunday (the 24th). I want to give my body the opportunity to see if it will go into labor itself as long as baby remains healthy and active with little risks. However, if my body does go into labor, Dr said I couldnt pass the child, secondary to the pelvic injury sustained from the car wreck so they would have to take the baby.

I would talk to your dr. Im sure he or she will allow you to go past your DD. Besides, the Drs arounds here prefer to do c-sections after DD bc research say the lungs are hearlthier in those who were delivered by c-section after the DD.

Also, I have to go to the dr every 3-4 days for them to check on the baby via US, NST and AFI. So you may want to keep that in mind

Best of luck!

 

olsentobe

I am a scheduled Csection this time at 39w1 d. Ds was an induction turned csection at 38w3d.

I also was told if I go into labor prior to get to the hospital right away.

RumbleLina

rockychryslerb2010:

I had a scheduled csection at 39w3d and was told to immediately go to the hospital if I had any signs of labor.  They did not want me going into labor at all (csection was due to Micronesia), so maybe it is more difficult the further the baby descends into the birth canal.

If that happens they literally take the baby and shove them back in. My son was almost out and got stuck so they took his head and wiggled/pushed him back up as far as he could go. I would imagine though that pulling him out after being open was not as easy but I never cared to ask.

hasenbank

DS was schedule (big baby, fear of shoulder dystocia, etc.) so we scheduled for 40w1d.  I'm with you.  If I have a RCS with this one I won't schedule before 40w1d...I think it's better for the baby (IMO). 

ashleygirl04

My OB schedules RCS in the 39th week. I didn't ask to go later so I'm not sure their opinion on waiting. 

He did tell me that the goal of scheduling in the 39th week was to try to keep my body from going into labor. He said that they wanted to prevent any stress on my uterus from contractions. Basically, they didn't want me to have any contractions.