[MommyMel23]

Hi all! My name's Melissa and I'm due with my 2nd and final child--a boy--on April 30th. I'm hoping to join this group, as my doctor is suggesting I schedule a C for the week of my EDD, due to some current complications and also based on my last delivery experience.

The VERY short version of my last delivery is that it was quite traumatic and ended in an emergency C. The laboring prior to the surgery, and the surgery itself, were horrendous, and I'm hoping to avoid that experience at all costs. My recovery, however, wasn't bad at all and I'm hoping for the same in that regard.

Anyway, I'm hoping to hear some experiences regarding scheduling C-sections. Other than being afraid of the anesthesia & surgery, my other concerns are that I'll take the baby out too early--before he's fully "baked"--and that his health will be compromised, or that I will have a worse recovery, being that this is my second C. How many days before your due date did you all have your surgeries scheduled?

Any anecdotes and/or advice are welcome!

[myblueyez]

Welcome Melissa! I'm Tiffany.
Mine was scheduled for 2 days before my due date. If your cs is scheduled the same week as your EDD, I really wouldn't worry about that part of it. Remember it's just an estimated due date, which gives what about a week leeway +/-?
Mine was a repeat after an emergency, like yours. Yes I was somewhat nervous about the anesthesia and stuff, but also quite a bit more calm because it wasn't a rush thing like my last one. The nurses, doctor and anesthesiologist(sp?) I had were great and very thorough in their explanations to me of what all would be happening. I was in recovery for about an hour, but my SO was with baby and was able to check in with me a few times. Then I was taken to my room and baby was brought in.
My recovery 2nd time around was alot easier, and from what I've heard from most people it usually is.
And honestly knowing my c/s was scheduled took alot of the stress and worry away. Knowing I didn't really have to worry about water breaking or waiting through labor and etc. and knowing that no later than that day, I would have my little boy made planning things much easier..
If you do have a cs I wish you good luck and speedy recovery.

[NickieH]

Welcome to the board! I'm Nickie

As for scheduled C/S, they usually go much smoother than an emergency one. Mine was scheduled because of breech positioning but LO decided he wanted to come a week early so it was quickly rescheduled If you're scheduled for the week he is due I don't think you'll have a problem with him being "under-baked"; like PP said EDD is just an estimate so you have a little leeway and remember 37 weeks is considered full-term. I had DS at 38 weeks and he was/is perfect. Also, from what I hear recovery from the second C/S is usually easier.

Good luck, I hope you get the birth experience you want!

[molynn]

I was originally scheduled for a c-section 4 days before my EDD (LO was breech) but due to low fluid issues I had to have it moved up to 37w4d. Knowing in advance that I was having a c-section was nice because it gave me time to read up on the procedure and recovery so I would know what to expect. All of the medical professionals involved in my surgery explained things in detail so I wasn't surprised and it took away any remaining anxiety I had. Even though my LO was 2.5 weeks early he was very healthy and we had no complications.

Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well and best wishes for your delivery in April!

[Gaby&Emmy'sMama]

welcome to the board! I'm Emma (27), mummy to two c/s babies - Gabrielle (4) & Emersyn (6.5mo).

My first c/s was an emergency & second was scheduled - and i have to say, the scheduled c/s was SO much easier, on all fronts.. the surgery went better, the post-op recovery period went better, and my recovery in general went better. I had my c/s scheduled for 39w0d & Emersyn had no breathing problems etc, whatsoever... she was 8lb0oz, and scored 9/10/10 on her APGAR scores...

I went into some kind of fake labour at 37w & the ob was a little iffy about performing the c/s then - he said that although 37w is full term, that there is a big difference developmentally (as far as c/s goes) between 37 & 38 weeks, but that generally from 38w+ they don't experience any problems due to it being 'too early' for the baby to arrive. He said that *some* babies born at 37w need some assistance with oxygen (I think it was), but at the same time he said that it still isn't a LARGE proportion of babies. If you are worried closer to the time, I believe they can do an amnio to check for lung maturity

[Kboo]

I was kind of in the same boat that you are, only my second came nearly three weeks earlier than he was supposed to. Because of that, his little lungs weren't quite ready, but he was only in the NICU for a few days, and then he was totally fine.
My third C-section was a lot calmer, The baby was only 9 days early, and he did great. I think you'll do fine, the whole C-section experience gets easier with every baby, I'll have my 4th child late spring. So excited!!!

[jennmichelle]

I just had a scheduled C-section almost a month ago and it was a wonderful experience. My first was a vaginal but a very traumatic one that almost ended in an emergency section. I was so scared about this section since I had never had one. But it so much better and smoother than the vaginal. It was originally scheduled 2 days before my due date but was moved up a week because of high fluid. My baby was healthy with no problems and almost 9.5 lbs! The recovery was great too. It was great not having to labor or anything. I labored for two days with my first. I was up and around in no time and couldn't believe that I was actually worried about it. I feel so blessed and thankful that I went for the scheduled section this time around.

[Momo]

Both my c-sectns were scheduled. My first I had some issues going into it and had tondeliver at 36 weeks so he did spend time in the nicu but the surgery itself was not bad. With a scheduled c section they have time to make sure you're all numbed up, not nauseous, as comfy as can be basically. With my second c section I had him around 38 weeks but had an amnio done first. He was healthy as can be. And the surgery itself went nice and smooth. Recovery is a little harder mostly because you've got two children to care for. Just take it easy though.
Oh, and with my second c section I got to have both dh and my mom in there during the surgery. I loved that. And as soon as baby ws pulled out, they wrapped him up and handed him to dh, they didn't even weigh him first, just made sure he was breathing ok. And then dh came as held him right by my face, it was wonderful. I never went to recovery without my baby. My recovery room was the room I stayed in the whole time and they did all their weighing and stuff in there but only after I nursed him first. It was avery positive experience in that regard.