C-section @ 38weeks +5 days?

Cheryl Renee · December 2015

Long story short here (way too many details to bore you all), I'm looking at possibly having a c-section at 38w,5d. This is not elective, so don't beat me up! Had a section with the first, my hospital doesn't allow VBAC, so I have no choice in the matter. My question: has anyone ever had a c-section at 38 weeks? How was the baby? Would you advise it? I've read the articles that say baby would be totally ready by this time, but I just wanted some other mommy opinions/experiences on this. Thanks!

OrangeFox · December 2015

Lurker from Jan16 here. My first was born at 37+1. Healthy and happy. I went into natural labor. He was 6lbs and 7oz and no problems.

Not sure why your doctor picked 38+5, but they must have a reason? Either way your baby very very likely ready for the world at that point.

AdventureMama · December 2015

My OB told me to pick a date between 39 and 40 weeks. I'm waiting until my due date but he said 39 week babies are perfectly healthy. 38+5 doesn't seem different!

mamacastro · December 2015

My boys were born early due to preclampsia. First DS was 5lbs 2oz at 32 weeks. DS2 was 5 lbs 12oz at 37 weeks. Both boys were perfect, no complications or NICU, just small so its highly possible your baby will be fine

PinkRoses · December 2015

My son was born at 38 weeks 2 days. They consider him full term. He came via emergency c-section and was perfectly fine. Don't worry, mama!

JMarie1291 · December 2015

Im being induced at 38w 5d since my 39w falls on a sunday and unless emergancy my doctor office doesn't like doing inductions on sunday. I wouldn't worry in L&D (I worked as nurse in the unit) it was common for doctors to do it a couple days before 39 weeks. It's just depends on where your delivering and how they schedule that stuff.

Aussiechicka · December 2015

My first was born at exactly 37 weeks. 6lb 9oz and we had no issues at all and went home the next day.

A&Lmommy · December 2015

My water broke at 38w, 5d with my daughter, she was 7lbs, 15oz. I'm only 4'11, I'm actually glad she didn't make it to her due date, I don't think I could have handled it haha. Everyone was healthy, no complications. At that point, I think the baby is fully cooked, just getting chubbier cheeks.

petere · December 2015

My second was born at 37 weeks and we just fine

he had jaundice but that can happen to any baby

jellybellybean3 · December 2015

Both my kids were born before that naturally (36 and 37) and although they were tiny, they were both able to come home next day because they were in perfect health. Your little baby will be just fine at 38 weeks!

camusoh2011 · December 2015

I'm having a scheduled c-section for my twins this time at 38+3. I know multiples deliver early, but they will be more than ready at that point. I honestly don't even think we'll make it to then and the doc is not at all worried about them not being ready.

Cheryl Renee · December 2015

Thank you all for your positive comments!

wisco29 · December 2015

AdventureMama said:
My OB told me to pick a date between 39 and 40 weeks. I'm waiting until my due date but he said 39 week babies are perfectly healthy. 38+5 doesn't seem different!

If you go into labor earlier what is the procedure?
(I need to ask this at my next appointment to see what theirs is)

twinmom1121 · December 2015

I'm surprised they would let you schedule one for 38 weeks. My dr said the earliest they are allowed is 39+1 weeks and 38 with twins. I'm sure it depends on the hospital but I would think they'd want to hold out a little longer on a scheduled csection. That being said I did have my twins via csection at 38+1 weeks and both were perfectly healthy!

kateryna72 · December 2015

Baby is considered full term at 37 weeks, so 38+5 sounds very reasonable. I'm having twins and am scheduled for a repeat c section at exactly 38 weeks.

Cheryl Renee · December 2015

twinmom1121 said:

I'm surprised they would let you schedule one for 38 weeks. My dr said the earliest they are allowed is 39+1 weeks and 38 with twins. I'm sure it depends on the hospital but I would think they'd want to hold out a little longer on a scheduled csection. That being said I did have my twins via csection at 38+1 weeks and both were perfectly healthy!

Well, since you are asking...
I actually wanted to wait until my due date and was told that I couldn't because its a holiday (president's day), so of course doctors dont want to schedule on their off day. They also dont want me risk going into labor early, thus the 39 week thing. However, the one person I trust to keep my 2yr old can only get off to keep her during my 38th week. The day the doctor wanted me to schedule was the first day of my 39th week, which is my mom's bday and I don't want to do that. And since my 39th week starts on a Monday, I'd have to push back over the weekend to schedule earlier, because yet again, the doctors don't want to schedule on their off days. I haven't scheduled it yet, or even spoken to my doctor about it. I've got an appointment this week and plan to see if they would be ok with me doing it at 38+5. I just wanted to get some other opinions before I actually tried to schedule it early.

g8trkim · December 2015

If they don't want you going into labor on your own, I think 38+5 sounds reasonable. A few days either way is not going to make a difference so do what works best for everyone. Best of luck!

twinmom1121 · December 2015

Cheryl Renee said:

twinmom1121 said:

I'm surprised they would let you schedule one for 38 weeks. My dr said the earliest they are allowed is 39+1 weeks and 38 with twins. I'm sure it depends on the hospital but I would think they'd want to hold out a little longer on a scheduled csection. That being said I did have my twins via csection at 38+1 weeks and both were perfectly healthy!

Well, since you are asking...
I actually wanted to wait until my due date and was told that I couldn't because its a holiday (president's day), so of course doctors dont want to schedule on their off day. They also dont want me risk going into labor early, thus the 39 week thing. However, the one person I trust to keep my 2yr old can only get off to keep her during my 38th week. The day the doctor wanted me to schedule was the first day of my 39th week, which is my mom's bday and I don't want to do that. And since my 39th week starts on a Monday, I'd have to push back over the weekend to schedule earlier, because yet again, the doctors don't want to schedule on their off days. I haven't scheduled it yet, or even spoken to my doctor about it. I've got an appointment this week and plan to see if they would be ok with me doing it at 38+5. I just wanted to get some other opinions before I actually tried to schedule it early.

Gotcha! Hopefully they are able to schedule it for 38+5 then!

Life is Exciting · December 2015

My son was born via csection at 36 weeks. He weighed 6.05lbs and was 19.5 inches long. I was induced for low amniotic fluid and had a csection for failure to progress.
I'd try to get your OB to let you go a little longer, like 39 1/2 weeks or 40 weeks.
My hospital allows vbac, so that's what I'm trying for. One of my OBs in my office wanted to schedule a csection at 40 weeks exactly, but Hubby and I are going to put our foot down and not schedule a csection in advance. I've discussed my medical history and prior csection with all the other midwives and OBs in the office and I'm confident that there's no reason to schedule a csection when I'm trying for a vbac.

Cheryl Renee · December 2015

I wish I could VBAC. My hospital wont even consider it, and the closest hospital that will is almost 2 hrs away.

mabrams27 · December 2015

I am due to have a csection at 37 weeks because I am pregnant with twins. My doctor said 37 weeks is considered full term for twins so I am excited since that's just 3 weeks away!

Cheryl Renee · December 2015

Wow! Thats soon!

brushesnbrunch · December 2015

I asked my OB about inducing (I have GD and wanted to know if he thought I'd be going until my due date or earlier, mostly because they haven't talked to me about it and I was too chicken to ask straight up), and he said the hospital I will deliver at doesn't like to do c-sections/inducements until 39 weeks, but it really depends on how viable your uterus looks at the time.

At least that is what he told me, anyway.

camusoh2011 · December 2015

mabrams27 said:

I am due to have a csection at 37 weeks because I am pregnant with twins. My doctor said 37 weeks is considered full term for twins so I am excited since that's just 3 weeks away!

I was counting on mine being at 37 weeks because we're having twins too, but my doc is waiting an extra week! I know it's good to let them keep cooking, but I am soooooooo done.

bauerkj · December 2015

My first was a c at 38 weeks. He turned out fine. He wanted out before my potentially scheduled c (I say potentially as it wasn't scheduled and ended up pushing for 16 hours before the on call dr FINALLY called for a c). 38 is still considered full term.

pettycrocker · December 2015

My OB was trying to schedule my RCS at 38wks! I said no way! Seems like this is a growing trend with some OBs, I'm not sure why?? You know you have the right to say you want to wait a little longer? I understand them not wanting me to go past my due date, but I think anything before 39wks is unecessarily early. That being said, I'm sure LO will be fine at that point. My concern is really just that we are having babies at the height of flu season, and I feel they are better off being inside as long as possible.

mabrams27 · December 2015

camusoh2011
https://forums.thebump.com/profile/camusoh2011
The only reason they really are going 37 is due to a previous hemorrhage I had with my daughter. Even thought their considered full term at 37, they want to make sure I have the babies by csection verses me going natural and hemorrhaging again. Trying to catch the chicken before it hatches kinda deal lol

momtotwo4427 · December 2015

My first was born at 38w6d, spontaneous labor, completely healthy 6lb 11oz. Of course a longer bake is the first choice, but in general babies born after 37 weeks are healthy and do well, might just be on the smaller side of normal.

Cheryl Renee · December 2015

potatocastillo said:

My OB was trying to schedule my RCS at 38wks! I said no way! Seems like this is a growing trend with some OBs, I'm not sure why?? You know you have the right to say you want to wait a little longer? I understand them not wanting me to go past my due date, but I think anything before 39wks is unecessarily early. That being said, I'm sure LO will be fine at that point. My concern is really just that we are having babies at the height of flu season, and I feel they are better off being inside as long as possible.

I tried my best to go till my due date, but they keep insisting on 39 weeks, but due to some family issues, I can't do it my 39th week. So its either 38 weeks or wait until 40. They won't let me wait, so I have no choice but to go early. We have one hospital within miles and they dictate what they want. It really sucks. I can't try for a VBAC either. I'm perfectly healthy with no risks at all. But I have no options.

Ju111310 · December 2015

Didn't have a section, but I went into labor/delivered DS1 at 38 & 5. He was 7#14 oz and perfectly well done.

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