UPDATE: I think a few of you mentioned being on blood thinners. I am also on a blood thinner- lovenox shots- because I have MTHFR which is a clotting disorder. I actually did not know with my first and had a healthy pregnancy for the most part but now that I know with my second, did not want to take chance that I 'just got lucky' with my first. ALSO, due to scheduling conflicts, the amnio for lung development will now be TWO days before the scheduled section.
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I had a c-section with my first child 3 years ago. I was induced due to size at 40 weeks. I had contractions since 33 weeks but made it to 40 with no labor!. During the induction- which is what they eventually had to do, I had hard back labor. I never progressed and ultimately needed a c-section. I am now pregant with my second. My Dr. said while I was in the hospital with the first that the next would be a 37 week c section because he feared uterine rupture. I apparantly almost ruptured with my first and had a lot of bleeding. Well, it is now time for my next and I am being told the baby will be fine and at term at 37 weeks (it is a boy). They are even doing an amnio the day before to confirm lung maturity is complete (I hear the lungs are the last organ to develop). If lungs are not mature, then we are going to wait another week and four days (after christmas). Any thoughts on this? My husband wants me to hold off until 39 weeks but I am really scared because if I go into labor, I put myself at risk according to the Dr. I would love a third child as well. Any thoughts or advice?
And by the way, I asked about VBAC and my Dr. did not recommend that- I am too scared to even attempt that.
Babies born after 36 weeks are very healthy, unless there is some underlying health problem and then waiting 2 weeks wouldn't change that. (Sorry to be negative - I hated negative thinking when I was pregnant)
I think you are safer going at 37 weeks, for your safety and for the baby's.
My cousin had a baby at 35.5 weeks and he came home in 2 days because he was perfectly healthy. He's now 14 months old and still perfectly healthy.
I had my daughter without being induced at 37 weeks. My water broke and I went into labor on my own. She was born completly healthy. I had my son 3 months ago at 37 weeks, but I was induced. I had an amnio done to check his lung development before the induction. He was born with a very healthy set of lungs and there were no problems. My doctor would have not advised the induction at 37 weeks if he didn't feel that the baby would not be healthy. That is why he did the amnio! I wouldn't take the risk and I would just have the amnio done to check lung developmemt. If the test comes back that the lungs are developed than I would have the C-section done at 37 weeks. Of course it is better to wait and have it at 38,39 and 40 weeks, but at 37 weeks your baby is considered full term.
well, your first pregnancy was term. 40 weeks is a full term baby so you weren't early. Your due date is an estimation, nothing more. And any time from your due date, plus or minus 2 weeks, is considered a full term baby. So 37 weeks isn't as early as you think. If you almost ruptured last time I definitely wouldn't try the VBAC. I will say this about the repeat section. I had one with my son after 21 hrs of labor. I made 10cm and pushed 4 hrs and didn't progress. So we did the section. I was exhausted afterwards. With my daughter I did go into labor on my own (the day before my scheduled c-section). But I was only in labor for 6 hrs at the most. I wasn't as tired afterwards because my body didn't go through all that labor. My recovery was faster too since my body wasn't tired. Believe it or not, you will enjoy your 2nd c-section much more then your first. I wanted to try the VBAC as well, I had planned that with my midwife group since I found out I was pregnant, but 4 weeks before delivery she turned breach and wouldn't go back. I was HUGE with my daughter (47cm) and my body had been through enough so we decided on the repeat section. I don't regret it. I was much more rested after my 2nd section then my first.
My last 2 pregnancies were c-sections done at 37 weeks. You are considered full term at 37 and there is really no reason to even go through the amnio. My doctor had said I could go at 36 weeks with amnio, and 37 without. You should ask if it's really necessary. Both of my little guys have been perfectly fine being born 3 weeks "early". No breathing problems, no allergies, nothing. We went home 2 days later, and it would have been sooner if I could have convinced the doctor! The boys are almost 2 and almost 3, and the smartest little things ever! I should add that my oldest son was born at 32 weeks via emergency c-section. He spent only 6 days in the hospital, and is now 8, smart, and healthy! You have nothing to worry about, except whether or not you'll feel like sitting on the floor to open gifts with your 3 yr old on Christmas morning. Good luck!
All I can say is that I think you should wait if you can. I am not sure why your doctor is pushing it. Waiting as long as you can is really best for your child. I would continually monitor him and you but wait if I could...and an amnio the day before scares me. Just my opinion. I have never gone through any of this, but have done a lot of reading and have an 8 year old son.
I would listen to your Dr. People take being pregnant and giving birth very lightly these days. With the help of medical technology, yes giving birth anyway is not as risking a long time ago but there are som amny things that can go wrong. I don't think your husband actually realizes what "can" happen. SOund very weird but when I was pregnant with me first child we happened to watch the move "Jersey Girl" the mom dies in that movie (if you never saw it) while in labor. After that my husband looked at giving birth in a whole new way. Maybe you can watch that together ????? but please listen to your Dr.
With all three of my children (a singleton girl and twin boys), I was induced at 36 weeks 2 days after an amnio to confirm lung maturity. All three had mature lungs. Other than my daughter's two-night stay in the NICU for low blood sugar (unrelated to early birth), the kids were great. All weighed about 6 pounds. Once you are at 36 weeks, they consider it full term.
Most importantly, listen to your doctor. My first child was unfortunately born still. When my doctor told me she was inducing me early in my subsequent pregnancies, I listened to her... Your doctor isn't pushing the induction for her convenience... she's trying to save you and your baby....
At 37 weeks you are fine!!! I just had my son via c section at 37 weeks and we just celebrated his 12 week b day. He is fine he weighed fine at 6.13lbs. These are risks that the Dr. needs to discuss with you they area very small risk though. If you have maintained a pretty healthy lifestyle during pregnancy you should be fine. Congrats on the baby boy!
My son was born via c-section at 36 weeks & 6 days due to a cord issue & breach presentation. They also did the amnio to check for lung development. My son was born VERY healthy at that gestational age. He is now a happy, healthy 18 month old. I was high risk & my Perinatal doctor told me that after 37 weeks anything over that is just weight being put on & no real reason for the child not to be born - they ALWAYS recommend the baby be born at 37-38 weeks - they NEVER let anyone get to 40 at my perinatal office - due to increased risk to the baby. Email me if you need more information. Your baby will be fine.
COngrats Lisa. I agree with many other responses listed--37 weeks is considered full term, and even what we call "near term" babies 35-36 weeks in women who go into labor "early" are usually just fine, go to the well baby floor, etc. Being induced at 37 weeks is really not a big deal, but it is especially indicated for someone like you who may have significant complications yourself if you let the pregnancy progress longer. I would listen to your doctor, and do what you need to do for the health and safety of both you and the baby.
I had both my babies early by C-section - first one at 38 weeks and second one at 35 weeks. For our first, I had a scheduled C-section b/c our DD was breach. Schedules don't always work with babies and I did go into labor early. For our second, I had some complications, i.e. lost my amniotic fluid for no good reason. Our DD came out healthy and is a thriving 2 year old.
I would take your doctor's advice seriously - you would not want to rupture and have any complications, especially if you are considering a third. If your husband is still questioning your doctor's decisions (which I'm sure are based on YEARS of experience), I would think about bringing your hubby to the next appointment so that your Dr. can explain why he thinks an "earlier" delivery is best. And remember, typically, the due date is a best "guesstamation" based on your ultrasounds.
Good luck and congrats on your newest member of your family!
i had one a t 36 weeks, its fine. i'd listen to your dr. and not risk your health. if it erupts, you could die and so i think that your baby could as well.
Isn't it amazing that we can feel so excited and blessed on one hand and fearful on the other. Have you tried praying about your fears? I find that when I turn my fears over to God and ask Him to give me clarity, there is a peace that comes and a knowing. Turn your fears, turn your pregnancy over to God Lisa and trust that He will provide.
Hi Lisa! As long as the amnio shows that the baby's lungs are ready I would go ahead with the c-section at 37 weeks. 38 weeks is considered full term so you would only be 1 week early. Many babies are born alot earlier than this and are fine. Our medical technology is amazing now. Uterine rupture which could be very dangerous for you and your baby. Good luck!!
I gave birth to my son at 37 weeks vaginally, no inducing. Everything was fine, and like others said considered full term. We are about to celebrate his 3rd b-day!
At 37 weeks you will be fine. My waters broke at 37 weeks and my contractions didn't progress. I was given pitocin and with some help she was born vaginally. She was tiny but perfect!
I had a scheduled induction at 37 weeks (due to being on blood thinners) that ultimately turned into a c-section. My son was small (5 lbs. 11 oz.) but was fine - his lungs were fine - he was fine. He didn't require any special medical care - he was with all the other babies in the nursery. He went home when I did.
Lisa First of all congrats on your baby boy. At 37 weeks the baby would be considered full term and if this was your first and normal delivery the question around lung development may not have come up, you would just be allowed to deliver. I had my first child at 37 weeks and everything was fine, I went into labor naturally however like you never progressed and ended up with a c-section. Your dr may just be over cautious which is a good thing. My friend also had a c-section exactly at 37 weeks b/c of preeclampsia concerns and again the questions around lung development did not come up, her girls was fine and healthy and continues to be. You are right lungs are the last organs to develop and continue developing after the child is born. Continue to ask your dr to explain his concerns and the risks around it. I am also expecting my second child, a girl, in Feb and will be a c-section as well and my dr told me to pick a date after 37 weeks, with no concerns around the lung development. The idea of picking a date vs going on labor on my own doesn't appeal to me but she has also adviced me about the risks around rupturing the uterus.
I think there is a drug that can be given to the mother to promote faster development of the fetus and it is sometimes used for mothers who are at a high risk of pre-term labor, which doesn't seem to your case, sorry I don't remember the name but I read it somewhere. Again this doesn't seem to be something you should be concerned about but it is better to be informed. Continue to talk to your dr about his concerns around the baby's development even at 37 weeks as well as the benefits/risks of having an amnio be as informed as you can so that you can ask more questions. Hope this was helpful.
Hi Lisa - I've had 4 c-sections, all with different doctors. One said no more than 4 and the next two said I could keep going. I think it really depends on your body and why you're having the c-sections. Typically, American doctors don't want to do VBACs because the insurance cost for them is very high. In California, most simply won't do it at all so they don't have to have the insurance.
As for my own experience, my 2nd delivery was at 39 weeks and my 3rd and 4th at 38 weeks. Personally, I'd be leary of delivering earlier without a really good reason but that's where your body and your doctor come in. Does he see a danger of rupture or is he just very conservative? It's definitely better for baby to stay longer but it's also better for him to have a healthy mommy. Maybe the amnio is the doctor's way of balancing the two. You have to decide if it's the right balance for you given the risks associated with the amnio, early delivery and possibility of rupture. Talk to your doctor and your husband together and come to a decision that's right for your family. No worries though on subsequent c-sections.
Good luck to you and congratulations on yor wonderful son!