How early can you discuss/ book an elective C-section

You can discuss your birth plan at any time with your midwife. Just ask for an appointment. I brought it up at my first appointment with her and she was very supportive. Best of luck 💖

I'm going to have my 3rd section, was discussed at my booking appointment with my midwife and then booked in at my 1st consultant appointment at 16 weeks. I am high risk as there no current concerns mine is booked in for 39 weeks, even though I asked numerous times to have it earlier than that due to labour complications with my 2nd

Hi, I am in exactly the same situation and having a c section for exactly the same reasons. I am under consultant care and I booked mine at my 16 week appt with her 😊 for your own peace of mind it's better just to get it sorted and then you know what's going on. I felt much better after discussing it and getting a date x

You can discuss it with your midwife ☺️ I told my midwife at my 8 week appointment, and then I told my consultant straight away too. I didn’t get my date till 32-34 weeks but we knew the date it would be (at 39 weeks) x

I knew from the outset I wanted a csection- not because of a physical reason or because of previous trauma, but for mental health reasons. I raised it at my booking appointment and then in subsequent midwife appointments, but was told that I couldn’t be referred to a consultant to discuss it until 34 weeks. At my 34 week midwife appointment my midwife (who was very supportive) referred to me to consultant and I met them a few days later, where I signed the consent forms and did pre-op bloods and swabs. A few days after that I got my csection date (40+2). From what I’ve seen, though, different trusts have different ways of doing this- and it may also be different for you as you’re having advised to have a csection.

I mentioned it at my first appointment with my midwife. Then my consultant booked it in for 39 weeks when I saw him at 15 weeks. I suffered a bad tear in 1st pregnancy too and like you due to the damage was advised c section. X

I mentioned to my midwife at my 31 week appointment this week and a have a scan next week (32weeks) to check my placenta location and baby growth followed by a consultant appointment so I will mention it again then.

@Emily I discussed it briefly with my midwife but because I’m under the specialist perineum team she has said it’s best to speak to them about it only.

@Ally that’s good that you were able to see a consultant and book it in so that early. I’m sure it is worrying though it being for 39 weeks in case you go into labour before then.

@Katie exactly yes I want to get it over and done with so it’s not hanging over me particularly with my last birth being so difficult. That’s good you got it booked in so early. I’m not under a consultant only the specialist perineum team (which I believe isn’t available in all trusts).

@Jess all of my pregnancies have been high risk and consultant led, but I wasn't expecting them to say 39 weeks as my last had my waters start going at 35 weeks labour started at 37 weeks and emergency section at 37+3 as both me and baby almost died in labour. So even though it is all booked in I am still worried as my next consultantaction isn't until 34 weeks

Thanks everyone, I know all trusts and experiences are different. I just needed some confidence to know I’m in the right to make the call to the team to try and discuss it sooner.

I mentioned it at my first ever midwife appointment at 9 weeks and then they booked in appointments with the birth options clinic and consultant to discuss it further. I had a few appointments, the birth options clinic ones were a bit earlier on, probably before 20 weeks if I remember rightly and then I had a consultant appointment at just over 33 weeks which is when I signed consent forms and got a date for the c section

@Ally I imagine that is really worrying with your previous experiences. I believe 39 weeks is standard but it seems strange if you’ve gone into labour early with both previous babies they would still say this is suitable for you.

@Jess I can understand there being an appointment later in the pregnancy closer to the birth for paperwork and things, it sounds like this is a norm. but definitely makes more sense to discuss options earlier than that as you did. Thanks 🙂

@Jess that's my concern too, I understand 39 weeks is standard but with previous history I'd thought 39 weeks was too risky

@Jess oh! No, not heard about this team. But then again after I had the surgery, no-one seemed to care about my tear 😅 🙄 my midwife was like "did no-one offer you physio, did no-one examine you after healing?" Errrm nope. I'm under consultant care for other issues so it all just fitted together that I've been booked in for a c section and she agreed

@Katie that’s so frustrating, it’s shocking how different the services are at different trusts. I did see someone fortunately around 6-8 weeks after my last birth to check how things had healed/ my pelvic floor but then was discharged until the re referral for this pregnancy.