[hopeforthefuture]

I am thinking about my upcoming elective ceaser. I am a private patient at a private hospital, so I probably can pretty much choose when I have my ceaser.

I am 39 weeks on the Sunday. So date wise, it seems best to do the ceaser on the Monday, as I will be 39+1. I don't think it is wise to do it earlier than 39 weeks, as there are more risks. But there would be benifits to doing it on the Friday, but I will only be 38 + 5.

DH works Monday - Friday, and will only be having a few weeks off work when the baby is born. If I have the baby on the Friday, it will mean a couple of extra days with him at home to help. If we have the baby on the Monday, it means we will have the weekend of one last hoorah with DH, I and DD.

What time of the day is best? I don't want to be bumped a bunch of times for emergency ceasers. But I don't want to have to get up too early to get to hospital for 6 am either. I want to enjoy my last night of sleep without a newborn. But I also figure if I have the baby early, the baby might go through the sleepy stage through the day and be up all night. I don't want to waste the sleepy stage, it doesn't last long!

Also, if I have the baby early, people will want to visit that day, but if I have it later in the day, people will easily be put off until visiting the next day. But I really can't stand the thought of going in, and having delay after delay after delay until I get to see my baby and not end up having the baby until 8pm, and be exhausted already.

I am really trying to have a positive birth experience this time, so am planning like mad.

[Disingenuous]

Hi there,

I am a private patient at a private hospital, so I probably can pretty much choose when I have my ceaser.

I think you should check with your Ob, as this is often not the case. Most Ob's who work out of private hospitals have set days and times when they do caesars. For example, my ob does Tuesdays 6-9am and Fridays 6-9am. (Obviously emergency caesars are done anytime!)

I didn't have a choice of day or time, I was just given a slot that was available in my 38th week (which is when my OB prefers to do caesars).

Cheers,
Julie

[hopeforthefuture]

Tuesdays 6-9am and Fridays 6-9am

Oh boy, that is terribly restrictive.

[fruitloops]

I believe that hospitals whether private or public will not book elective caesars on weekends...but I may be wrong!

I had my caesar 8 weeks ago at 38 weeks and I was booked for 8:45am but had to be at the hospital at 6:45am. My beautiful girl was born at 9:01am. The procedure itself is quick and I was in recovery by 9:30am.

[paris-stella]

I am going public - but I have been told that they only do elective C/S on a Monday and a Friday.

For me, I am due between 30th April and 2nd May 2010 - I have been told that the hospital does C/S at 38 weeks. I would rather be scheduled for 39 weeks.

I have decided that I would prefer to my C/S on a Friday. I am in the same position as you, that DH only has limited time off and last time he spent all his time off in the hospital as DD was in special care. This time, he will be having more time off, but I would rather gain an extra couple of days using the weekend to my advantage.

I would prefer to have an earlier slot - as you will probably be pushed back the later you are scheduled due to emergencies.

I would check with your OB what days they do C/S's and then you can decide what day works best for you and your family!

[~Simply*Blue~]

My ob only does elective c/s on a Tuesday morning, private hospital and private ob. And I didn't get to choose, just got told when to come in.

You also have to consider if a bed is available, if the theatre and theatre staff are available and the anaethetist. I really doubt you could name a time and expect everyone to be there.

[MrsG]

My elective CS was done at 38wks on a Wednesday morning at 8.15. Being an early morning CS I was able to stay in hospital the night before.

I loved having my CS on the Wednesday. It meant I was well rested for all the visitors that came on the Friday night and the weekend.

[hopeforthefuture]

Hmmmmmm. Maybe I will have to rethink my planning. I figured since it would be planned so far in advance that it would be more flexible.

I hope I at least get some choice.

OB has already said 39 weeks is the mark for him.

I don't want to stay the night before the ceaser. I want to be home with my DD, and I doubt I would sleep well in the hospital.

[voice-of-reason]

In terms of time of day, I would opt for a morning proceedure. DD#1 was at 9:30pm, and that wasn't all that pleasant. I got very little time with her that night before the mids took her to the nursey, so I could sleep. DD#2 was 9am, and it was fabulous! I got all day with my new baby, and it was lovely.

You shouldn't have to spend the night before in the hospital, for a morning proceedure. I opted to stay home, and arrived at the hospital just 1 hour before! I'd be surprised too if you could choose any time or day. My OB only did c/s on Wednesdays, I had no choice in that. I was a private patient and booked well in advance.

This post has been edited by Chocolatecookie: 09/11/2009, 10:18 AM

[hopeforthefuture]

9.30pm would be horrible for me!

got very little time with her that night before the mids took her to the nursey

My hospital are big fans of rooming in, they only take the baby to the nursery if the mother is really struggling and desperate for sleep.

But hypothetically, what is the best day of the week and best time of the day to have the baby?