Securing a date for elective c-section 😩

I am currently 25 weeks, so it’s fairly early anyway however my hospital told me that I could get an appointment 3 days before the actual elective c-section surgery - this causes me major anxiety! They also mentioned that it could even be scheduled for after my due date. I really don’t want to go into labour before my c-section. I know that 39 is the earliest but they can atleast give me a date a few weeks before! The hospital said that it becomes very busy and that they won’t be able to provide me with a date until last minute sometimes and it’s not guaranteed. What’s everyone else’s experience? I am thinking of transferring to another hospital :( I just want a date and then I’ll be able to relax!

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As far as I know , most people don’t know about their csection until a week or so before. The only reason why I got mine booked a week before it happened was for health conditions. It’s not really something you can control. Especially because we don’t pay for this service and there are always a shortage of beds available x

I found out my date just over 2 weeks before. I'd say that's about average as they can't tell you any earlier with changes to the pregnancy and hospital x

Most hospitals schedule c sections for 39 weeks. I requested my c section and I had to fight for it. The consultation was not happy when I called a different hospital to ask for c section there because I was refused one at my hospital. She eventually gave in but booked it for my due date, probably with hopes I would give birth before that naturally. I was given a date when I was 38 and a half weeks. Very stressful time. I would recommend trying a different hospital if you can xx

Even if they make it earlier for you or tell you a date earlier, anything can happen, they scheduled my c section 2 days before my due date but my daughter came at 36 weeks, so you just gotta take each day as it comes and as long as you have your birth plan it should be ok, I was heavy on wanting a c section and they reassured me that if I went into labour naturally they would still take me to do a c section which they did

This really stressed me out too. I went into labour at 38+5 with no date for my elective section. I just called as soon as I knew something was going on and within 4 hours of getting to hospital, I had my elective section. Try not to stress too much, I still had a lovely experience. Just keep an eye on your symptoms and call and be seen as soon as you think something is happening. They class it as an “emergency section” but it was absolutely not an emergency, still super chilled. They are so busy with the amount of requested sections that they just can’t give dates out earlier x

Totally depends on your trust. Some get their staff rotas and theatre diaries sorted weeks in advance, some won’t know who’s in until that week. I got both of mine booked in around week 32 but that’s because they have their rotas 2 months out for theatre. Baby 1 was scheduled for week 39 but came early at week 38 (still got a caesarean just on that day and had to wait for a diary slot). Baby 2 is scheduled for week 38 bang on due to Xmas/NYE staffing and the fact their sibling came early.

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