St Thomas' Hospital policy on c-section timing Post Reply

[Bluebutterfly]

Hi,

Does anyone have any recent experience of having a planned c-section at St Thomas' and if so, what date it was scheduled for? I know that different hospitals have different timing policies, some let you go to 39 weeks, some to your due date, some only do elective c-sections on certain days of the week etc.

I am currently 13 weeks and having had 2 previous c-sections I assume that I will be booked in for a third (which is what I would choose anyway). I realise that I will be given this information in due course, but my due date is the same day that my children are all due to start a new school and a few days after a big family wedding, and we are moving house a few weeks before, so I am keen to have a rough idea of timing sooner rather than later!

Also, I had pre-eclampsia in my last pregnancy - does anyone know whether this would make a difference to c-section timing?

Many thanks in advance for any information!

[hhirst]

Sorry to jump on your post - but I wonder if anyone also knows about inductions at Tommy's and when they do sweeps? Would they do a sweep at 40 weeks? I've heard of people who have had and others who haven't after a sweep when do they induce?
Sorry again for jumping in your post!

[Ginatonica]

I had a planned CS at St Thomas's last month - I was booked in for 39 weeks exactly (a Wednesday). The maternity wing was full on the day of our appointment - there was a risk of it being postponed until the following day but we were admitted in the afternoon.

They schedule 3 planned CS each day (mon-fri) and you will be given a time in the morning. The 3 that were booked in on our day were given times of 7.30 (me), 8.30 and 9.30 for arriving at hospital. Our son was born at 2pm, and the 8.30 appt didn't go in until 6.30pm! A long day whilst "nil by mouth"!

hhirst - With my first son, I had a sweep at 41 weeks and went in to be induced 3 days later.

Congratulations to you both and good luck!

[hhirst]

Thank you!!

[Mummy2b2212]

I had a sweep at 40 weeks plus 4 days at St Thomas's and they booked it in at my 40 week appointment so I guess they can turn it around quickly

[oab]

To my knowledge, planned csection there is at 39 weeks, this is what i've been told by St thomas's (i am due to have one too, but too early to book at the moment)

[NYE31]

I have been advised that hospitals prefer to do them at 39 weeks or later now (whereas they used to be at 37/38 weeks) as it's better for the baby

[ChicagotoClapham]

I just had my 3rd cs (first in the uk) at Thomas'. They were willing to push my c/s later but not earlier, in my experience. I was very worried about 2 of my children having the same birthday so they agreed to let me have it at 40 weeks. When I discussed earlier with the doctors, I was presented with a significant body of research on why 39+ was medically and developmentally desirable. I was persuaded and pushed it to 40 but I hope that you are supported in your decision-making process and birth.

[Bluebutterfly]

Thanks everyone, that's really helpful!!

[mollys]

I'm in the same boat and have just had my c section booked in at St Thomas'
They let you choose the day - any day in the final week of your pregnancy (so the 39th week) but not weekends or bank holidays.
It's quite a weird feeling getting your diary out, choosing your child's birthday and then listening to them phone the maternity ward and book it all in!
Good luck!!

[Bluebutterfly]

Thanks mollys, that's good to know and yes I can imagine it is very bizarre putting it in your diary - do you mind me asking how many weeks you were when they fixed the date? For me it feels like quite a big decision as if I choose 39 weeks it will be the end of August, but if I wait until my due date it will be the beginning of September, so when we get to school age it will be the difference between being the youngest child or the oldest child in the year... But I guess that's a whole other thread!

[AbbevilleMummy]

I guess it depends on your medical circumstances.

I was booked in early at 38 weeks 3 years ago at St Thomas', mainly due to the fact that my consultant didn't want to risk me going into natural labour.

Completely understand your concerns regarding Aug/Sept. If I were you I would try to book for 1 Sept.

Good luck x

[Bluebutterfly]

Thanks, yes I was thinking 1st Sept!! I agree, the decision may be taken out of my hands as I have an increased risk of pre-eclampsia due to previous pregnancy, but it's good to have a plan if everything goes well!

[number28]

Hi, and hope all goes well for you!

I also had elective CS at Tommies, but options re date would vary by medical circumstances, and perhaps also whether you are under a private Ob vs NHS. Eg do private Obs only have certain days of the week they work at that hospital? Do popular dates (like 1st September) book up early? End of August is 9 months after Christmas, so it can be a busy time on labour wards...

Pre-eclampsia typically occurs in a first pregnancy (or first with a new partner), so unless you had medically-defined 'severe pre-eclampsia' you may not have an increased risk of recurrence. Might be a question to raise with your medical team.

Oh, and I second the idea of aiming for September vs August, on developmental readiness grounds - for birth as well as for school!