If you have no complications that mean your baby needs to be born early, a planned caesarean should be carried out around 39 weeks of pregnancy. If your baby does need to be born earlier, your doctor may recommend that you have an injection to reduce the risk of breathing problems (steroids).
Planned caesareans are usually done from the 39th week of pregnancy. A caesarean may be carried out because: your baby is in the breech position (feet first) and your doctor or midwife has been unable to turn them by applying gentle pressure to your tummy, or you'd prefer they did not try this.
Typically, a planned C-section will be scheduled to take place around week 39 of pregnancy, usually because there is a known medical reason to do so.
In conclusion, the incidence of neonatal complications was higher in newborns delivered at 37 weeks of gestation than in those delivered at 38 weeks via elective Cesarean section. Thus, the procedure should be scheduled at 38 weeks to improve neonatal outcomes.
Most of the time, a c-section should not be scheduled until you have reached 39 weeks.
You will usually have a planned c-section at 39 weeks of pregnancy. The aim is to do the c-section before you go into labour. Babies born earlier than 39 weeks are more likely to need help with their breathing. Sometimes there's a medical reason for delivering the baby earlier than this.
A baby born by caesarean section has a 1.5% risk of neonatal respiratory morbidity if it is born at 40 weeks, but the risk rises to 2.1% at 39 weeks, 5.1% at 38 weeks and 10% at 37 weeks. Richmond said: "In some cases, babies with respiratory difficulty will have long-term complications, and some will die."
Healthy, full-term babies (at least 37 weeks gestation) can usually go home from the hospital sometime between 24 and 48 hours after birth. Some late preterm babies (born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation) may be healthy enough to go home after a short stay (at least 48 hours) as well.
There are exceptions to the 39-week rule, of course, including conditions such as placenta previa, which is when the placenta covers the cervix and poses a bleeding risk. In that case, a C-section might be scheduled as early as 36 or 37 weeks, Dr. Brimmage says.
You will usually be offered a date at or soon after 39 weeks of pregnancy. Babies born by caesarean earlier than this are more likely to need admission to the neonatal unit for help with their breathing (1 in 24 babies at 38 weeks compared to 1 in 56 babies after 39 weeks).
Elective caesarean section
Your appointment will probably be before the date your baby's due, so you don't go into labour. Around 16 in 100 births are by planned caesarean.
Caesarean sections may be planned before the birth. This is known as an elective caesarean. This may happen if there are pregnancy complications that prevent your baby being born by vaginal birth. In some cases, an elective caesarean is requested by the mother.
The average hospital stay after a C-section is 2 to 4 days, and keep in mind recovery often takes longer than it would from a vaginal birth. Walking after the C-section is important to speed recovery and pain medication may be supplied too as recovery takes place.
The Night Before Your C-section
You will not be allowed to eat, drink or smoke after midnight. This includes candy, gum and water. Try to get a good night's sleep. You may brush your teeth in the morning.
Cesarean deliveries with no trial of labor were much more concentrated during the day, especially around 8 a.m. "This makes sense, as C-sections are usually scheduled during the daytime hours and wouldn't be scheduled overnight or into the early hours of the morning," says Jennifer Wu, MD, obstetrician/gynecologist at ...
DO NOT shave, wax or use cream to remove the hair on your lower stomach or pubic area for 1 week before your C-section. Hair removal uncovers more bacteria on your skin. It can increase the chance of infections.
When can I go home after a c-section? You will usually stay in hospital for 2-4 days after your c-section. If you and your baby are well, and you have someone to help you at home, you may be able to go home after 24 hours.
Moderate-to-late preterm babies (born at a gestational age of 32 to 36 weeks) with no significant medical problems on admission are likely to be discharged at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age, according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Perinatology.
By 36 weeks, your baby's lungs are fully formed and ready to take their first breath after the birth. The digestive system is fully developed and your baby will be able to feed if they're born now.
Early term: Your baby is born between 37 weeks, 0 days and 38 weeks, 6 days. Full term: Your baby is born between 39 weeks, 0 days and 40 weeks, 6 days. Late term: Your baby is born between 41 weeks, 0 days and 41 weeks, 6 days. Postterm: Your baby is born after 42 weeks, 0 days.
Most babies (91%) in Australia are born at term (37–41 weeks). This is similar across the states and territories and has been stable over time.
Even though labor and vaginal birth can be hard work, they are generally easier on a woman's body than a cesarean. Recovery after vaginal birth is usually shorter and less painful than after a C-section, and allows the woman to spend more time with her baby.
If size is a factor, a smaller baby and less chances of complications. If size and breech are a major factor, a 38 week cesarean can minimize further complications, higher sugars in a baby, ease pregnancy discomforts in those later stages for you as well, etc.