elective c/s info

[sassy123]

i have alot of stuff going on at the moment and i have been so stressed. My pop has cancer adn has been given 3 months to live but he has been going down hill fast so we thinkin only a few weeks.

So i was thinkin of having an elective c/s so there is a chance of pop seeing the baby or if he has passed i will be very emotional and i dont want the baby geting stressed.

ummmmm so wat happens with an elective c/s? can u always get it when u want it or only in certain cases?
when u have a elect c/s when do u get it near ur due date or like 2 weeks b4?
If i asked for one in the next few weeks can i back out?

[Arimeh]

Sassy, I'm sorry to hear you have so much going on, poor thing. :hugs:

I'm pretty sure that with elective c-sections, you have to be going private, unless there is a medical risk to you or the baby - then they would in public. As far as I'm aware - could be wrong.

As to when they would do it, it depends on your OB. My old OB waited until I was 39 weeks + 1 day, so only 6 days from 40 weeks gestation, however, my sister has elective c-sections, and her OB will do them from 37 weeks gestation. So it just depends on the OB's I think.

Oh, and if you change your mind, I'm sure that would be fine too.

Good luck. Hope this was of some help.

[Trish]

Sassy, I am so sorry to hear about your pop. to you and your family.

I had a similar issue when I was preg with Tehya. My mum's best friend was terminally ill with cancer. She actually died the day Tehya was born. We called the palative care unit to let her know that she'd been born and Jane past away that afternoon. It was like she held out for her.

Anyway, from what I do know you would be hard pressed to find an Ob who is worth his weight to do a c section for no apparent reason. I mean, medically there is nothing wrong with either you or your baby. Believe me when I say when you are grieving it is far easier to have your baby in your belly then on the outside needing your constant care and attention. Late last year we lost my DP's Pop to cancer. I was preg with Abbey at the time. And yes, while it was stressfull it was far better to have her safely and snug in my body.

I guess you have to ask yourself this. How would you feel if you brang your baby out into the world early, and something went wrong. Not trying to be harsh, just realistic. Also by having the c section you are damaging your uterus, this damage is permanent and effects any future pregnancies you may have.

I wish you all the very best hun. What will be, will be. Trust that no matter when your baby is born your pop wil see him/her. Whether it's from Earth or Heaven your baby will have an angel looking over it.

[Janie]

Sassy, I'm sorry you have so much going on ATM. The other girls have given you great advice.

This is a big decision, but I don't think any Ob will give you a c-section before 37 weeks, possibly even 38 weeks. So that's still a fair while away for you. That's if you can get someone to do one at all, given that there's nothing wrong with you or your bub.

Good luck, I hope you can find some peace before your baby arrives.

[jaspen]

Sassy - my thoughts are with you, your family and your pop.

Re C/section - both my docs have only performed c/sections post 38 weeks for "elective" reasons and both these reasons related to health of mum and bubs not external factors. As others have suggested I don't believe you'd find much support for an "elective" prior to this type of gestation period as it brings about numerous other premature issues that may or may not result if bubs is brought into the world early.

In regards to changing your mind from a medical stand point I believe you have this right at anytime. Yes they may complain about how it has inconvinienced them but they can't make you have surgery - especially of an elective nature.

[sassy123]

thanks heaps for ur support. i have decided to just let it go and see wat happens. i didnt think about how much harder it woudl be greiving and looking after bubs. i think i was just really upset this morning so i jump into thinkin about it.
It is funny how u read so much about the c/s rate is so high but then alot of u r sayin i woudl find it hard to have a elective c/s. also if i was to havea c/s i woudlnt have ti till 38weeks min.

[Arimeh]

Good luck with everything.
Oh, and it isn't hard to have an elective c-section for absolutely no medical reason if you wait till at least 37-38 weeks. And you go private.

[AnyDream]

First of all, big big s to you and your family as this is a very hard time for you all.

Trish has written some very wise words, thanks Trish.

I think this sounds very much like a conversation you need to have with your obstetrician, ask all the questions you need to ask and find out what options are available to you. If you do decide you still want to have your baby early, consider asking for an induction rather than a CS... if your body is nearly ready to give birth this may be a gentler way for you. I had a maternally-requested CS for my second bub, but that was in full awareness that I won't be having any more babies...each CS compromises the uterus for future pregnancies and births and this is something you need to take into account when deciding.

There is a fantastic book about CSections that will help with your decision, it's called "Delivery by appointment" by Michelle Hamer.

[Janie]

Maybe it's not that difficult to get a maternally-requested c-section, I don't really know. But I'm sure it wouldn't be possible before 37 weeks, because most babies are simply not ready to be born that early. And some are not ready until much later. I had my bub at 35 weeks, it's not an easy road, and he was pretty healthy for a prem bub.