c-section a month before natural due date?

lovemysoldier74 · May 2013

I have to have a c-section due to breaking my hips and being paralyzed several years back. My original due date is November 25, and my first c-section was scheduled for November 18th, no big deal. But I went today for my three month check up and they said they were going to schedule the c-section for the last week of October. Has anyone else had one scheduled so far in advance? Did everything come out okay with baby? Were there any complications? TIA! Smile

sonshine0609 · May 2013

It does seem a little early to me. My doctor told me there was no way the hospital would permit her to schedule more then a week before the due date unless there was a medical reason or a serious scheduling issue. My last c/s was done about two weeks before due date because of staffing issues around Christmas. Maybe there's a reason they want to do it so early? Or perhaps they think your due date may be off? I've been give three dates with this one & six different ones with the last one.

rm2013 · May 2013

That's crazy and sounds totally unnecessary. I'd fight to keep it scheduled at 39 weeks. You want your LO to cook as long as possible. Look up the ACOG recommendations on planned c sections. Mobile bumping so don't have it handy.

RayRay007 · May 2013

They didn't give you any explanation?

hopefulmom81 · May 2013

When you say original due date, is it possible that date got shifted later after your Anatomy Scan?

lovemysoldier74 · May 2013

I know this sounds ignorant, but I think I already had the anatomy at 7 weeks? Is that when they measure the baby to see how big it is?

He made it sound like it's because my uterus would be putting too much pressure on my hips. I'm not sure, but 4 weeks early seems a bit much to me. I may seek a second opinion.

RayRay007 · May 2013

lovemysoldier74:
I know this sounds ignorant, but I think I already had the anatomy at 7 weeks? Is that when they measure the baby to see how big it is?
He made it sound like it's because my uterus would be putting too much pressure on my hips. I'm not sure, but 4 weeks early seems a bit much to me. I may seek a second opinion.

The anatomy scan is usually around 18-20 weeks to check and make sure the anatomy is developing properly.

If it's because the baby/uterus might be too big/heavy, why can't you take a wait and see approach? Schedule it for 39 weeks, but if problems arise earlier you can bump it up?

If they don't explain it more satisfactorily than that, I would definitely get a second opinion.

mommas6 · May 2013

Both of my boys were born via csection. The first was somewhat of an emergency. He was two and a half weeks early and totally fine. The second was scheduled 2 weeks early, and he ended up in the NICU for a week. His lungs weren't completely developed. I don't think my doc expected any issues since there were none with the first. We will be waiting until closer to my due date this time. I'm sure your doctor will check on the baby's lungs, but I'd voice that concern just to be safe! Hope that helps.

hopefulmom81 · May 2013

lovemysoldier74:
I know this sounds ignorant, but I think I already had the anatomy at 7 weeks? Is that when they measure the baby to see how big it is?

He made it sound like it's because my uterus would be putting too much pressure on my hips. I'm not sure, but 4 weeks early seems a bit much to me. I may seek a second opinion.

Shoot, sorry, I didn't see that you were 11 weeks along. The anatomy scan is at 18-20 weeks like previous poster said. Did they date your pregnancy at that scan? If you were measuring right on and really are scheduled a month before your due date, I would get a second opinion or ask a few more questions.

I am not sure how they can make that call so early in your pregnancy.

That said, I have a dear friend who was scheduled for a CS at 37 weeks when she was about 35 weeks along for health reasons by a very good team of doctors.

SheLovesMrHip · May 2013

Before I became high risk I was a planned csection always because of severe hip dysplasia. But my OB planned on my surgery 10 days before actual due date. A month early is rather excessive in my opinion. I dont get why your doc would risk your childs health! Now on the flip side, I became high risk due to myself ending up with horrible kidney issues and ended up having my daughter at 36weeks.

Courtimilk · May 2013

lovemysoldier74:
He made it sound like it's because my uterus would be putting too much pressure on my hips. I'm not sure, but 4 weeks early seems a bit much to me. I may seek a second opinion.

I think your doctor is making a well informed decision and doing what would be the best for you and baby. If your baby and uterus get too heavy and/or expand too much they could push on nerves that may not have properly healed during your recovery. And that could be quite painful.

For now, I say stick with the scheduled date in October, and IF BY CHANCE you and the doctor are comfortable with your pregnancy, bump the date one week at a time.

payn0045 · May 2013

I had to have an early c-section due to a previous surgery. In my case they waited until 37 weeks, which is officially "full term." The goal was to balance the risk to me vs. the risk to the baby - and once the baby was full term at 37 weeks, the main concern was possible problems on my end.

In the end, every situation is different and you really need to talk more with your doc about their logic behind the date. Before getting a second opinion, you should get a clear understanding of why they are going for a full month early.

Mark&MandyLa · May 2013

I had to have an amnio performed at 36 weeks for medical reasons. The procedure sent me into labor, and that evening I was admitted into the hospital. My son was frank breech and ECV attempts were unsuccessful, so I ended up needing a c-section that night.

Initially he had some respiratory distress (transient tachypnea, aka: "wet lung") so he had to stay in the NICU for a few days. That was extremely heartbreaking but I was so thankful he didn't have any other issues. Now he's a very happy and healthy two month old. I feel so blessed and, even though I would've preferred not to have had a c-section, I know it was the safest option for my baby and would do it again if need be.

Good luck with your c-section!

Love My Lil Princess 509 · May 2013

I agree that sounds crazy. My first one was 4 days before my due date. The closer to the due date the better.

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