- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
C-sections
Scheduling C Sections BEFORE 39w?
So, i have been reading that it is strongly recommended to schedule c sections at 39w or later. However, isn't a baby full term at 37 weeks? I am wondering what is wrong with scheduling at 38w, let's say?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Scheduling C Sections BEFORE 39w?
Babies are not really full term until they are full term. There is a lot of development that happens those last few weeks. Barring medical emergency it is best to wait as long as possible to let all of that development happen.
Not to mention that an EDD is a guestimate anyway, so you don't really know if your baby is 38 weeks. It could be only 36 weeks and then you'd have a preemie, just because you or your doctor is impatient.
This is the whole reason my c-section is now on Halloween (two days before my due date). I was originally scheduled for October 26th (39 weeks) but then my OB's husband was deployed overseas and her nanny is off that week so she (my OB) is off that week to watch her own children. This means that my c-section is scheduled for the Monday of the following week, which is only 2 days early. Lung development is crucial so unless I go into labor on my own or there is some other medical emergency I will not be having a c-section before 39 weeks.
That being said, my previous OB delivered my second DD at 38w6d and she was a scheduled c-section. Different OB, plus that was a couple of years ago so perhaps now the recommendation is NOT before 39 weeks. But that same OB only scheduled c-sections on Wednesdays (kinda weird I know, but he didn't have partners so that's what worked for his small practice) and he first suggested the 39w6d date and I just asked if we could do it the week before since the baby was measuring two weeks ahead and he agreed. LOL!
Two words: Lung Maturity. C-section babies are already at a higher risk for respiratory issues (both at birth and throughout their lives). Allowing the lungs to mature as long as possible helps to mitigate these issues. There have been some fairly major studies completed in the last couple years that concluded that unless there is a medical reason, a c/s shouldn't be performed earlier than 39 weeks.
My younger son actually had a choking incident when he was about a day old. We were lucky that he was actually in the nursery when it happened. It was completely attributed to the fact that he was a c/s baby and the fluid he still had on his lungs. We were flat out told it would have been much worse if his lungs weren't mature. After it happened, we were instructed on how to clear his airway, do CPR and if it happened again, I was told to literally rip the call button out of the wall while my husband was to run to the nurses' station. Fortunately it never happened again, but just knowing that it DID happen and it was because of the c/s, was incredibly scary.
Again..lung maturity. This does vary between sexes too. For boys the lungs mature at a slower rate than with girls but my doctor won't schedule any c-section before 39 weeks.
I am scheduled at exactly 39 weeks and was with my previous. I went into labor at 38 w 5 days with DS #2. I have a feeling I will probably go into labor a bit early this time too. Just a feeling I have. But that is the only reason I went before 39 weeks.
And baby size does not mean a thing. U/S canNOT accurately determine baby size. It is often within a range of error especially late in the game. My doctor can tell baby size better with feeling the baby than by determination in U/S. He was within an oz both times he guessed my babies sizes. Doctors usually go by LMP...they will determine 39 weeks off that date.
No, it shouldn't make a difference, particularly if you know that your dates are right. Ultrasound measurements can be horribly inaccurate. Two days before my older son was born, his weight was estimated at 8lbs 1oz. He was born weighing 5lbs 12oz. Same for my younger son. At 36 weeks, he was estimated to be 6lbs even. 4 weeks later he was born at 6lbs 5oz. Both boys ultrasounds showed them to be in the 50th percentile when in actuality they were in or below the 10th percentile.
With the lung and respiratory issues that can accompany a c/s, I would definitely err on the side of caution and schedule a c/s for as late as possible.
Yep. Measuring ahead doesn't tell you anything about how developed your baby's lungs are. Only an amnio can tell you that. So why not just wait until 39 weeks? I know the last weeks of pregnancy suck but it's well worth it to give your baby a healthier start at life.
Ok, so here's the thing, you have to remember that the 39 week recommendation has a condition. It is that unless there is a medical reason, a c/s shouldn't be performed prior to 39 weeks. It sounds like you have a lot of issues and it may come to a point where you need to weigh the risks of delivery prior to 39 weeks and the medical risks of you staying pregnant. I would discuss the lung maturity issue with your doctor and see how he feels about an amnio if he wants to deliver prior to 39 weeks.
As far as the blood thinners, it's my understanding that he is following a fairly standard protocol with the lovenox and heparin. I think it's fairly standard to switch at 36 weeks.
Without a medical cause, my Dr won't schedule c-sections until 39 weeks. He said legally he can't (not sure if it's just our state or nation wide law). They want to decrease the chance of the baby not being ready. With baby's every day and week inside really makes a difference in development.
"I have four children. Two are adopted. I forget which two. -Bob Constantine
"All for Love,' a Saviour prayed 'Abba Father have Your way. Though they know not what they do...Let the Cross draw men to You...."