They changed it so that any new baby born in December will now get the €420 grant when they receive their first child benefit payment, Also you can ask to be put for a c section if that’s what you wanted, normally they would do a scheduled c section at 39 weeks so if your due the 29th it would be the week before that because that’s a Sunday they could possibly do the c section on the 20th the Friday but you would really need to speak to your doctors on the pros/cons and the specific date, I had a C-section on my second but it was more so I could plan and be more in control of the day with really helped with my anxiety and stress when it came to my little one at home too. - just be aware too for a c section you could be in hospital for up to 3/4 days depending on recovery so it could be very close to Christmas Day too. Definitely speak to the doctor about your worries and if the 31st doesn’t suit you can definitely change it!
You need to ask put question to somebody qualified to answer, your midwife or doctor.