Scheduled C-section timing

[Anonymous]

39w1d at Sibley. Best decision ever. Turns out I was actually already in early labor so I would have had the baby that weekend regardless. If I ever had another baby (I won’t), I’d go scheduled c all the way. My doctor also told me I was a good candidate for VBAC but I knew how I recovered from my first c-section and felt a scheduled c was the best.

[Anonymous]

OP, your c section sounds like my c section (1st baby). I’m confused about why you would schedule at 39 weeks instead of 40 or even 41, just to give yourself a chance at a vbac. A c section at 39 wks sounds like it gives you no chance to go into labor at all. A 9 lb full term baby really doesn’t mean you can’t have a vagina birth, particularly bc your c section had nothing to do with pushing or a stuck baby. My VBAC (2nd baby) was 9.5 lbs. I had a c section scheduled for I think 41 wks just in case - but water broke at home at 40 wks 4 days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, your c section sounds like my c section (1st baby). I’m confused about why you would schedule at 39 weeks instead of 40 or even 41, just to give yourself a chance at a vbac. A c section at 39 wks sounds like it gives you no chance to go into labor at all. A 9 lb full term baby really doesn’t mean you can’t have a vagina birth, particularly bc your c section had nothing to do with pushing or a stuck baby. My VBAC (2nd baby) was 9.5 lbs. I had a c section scheduled for I think 41 wks just in case - but water broke at home at 40 wks 4 days.

OP here -- I think the ARRIVE study is good evidence that folks my age (I'll be 39 at delivery) shouldn't go meaningfully past 39 weeks. Also, since my water broke on its own and contractions didn't start without induction, which I understand is disfavored for VBAC, I don't know what the chances are of my going into labor on my own a second time are. Lastly I'm 5 feet tall, a 9 lb baby is a pretty big baby for anyone but especially someone my size to deliver vaginally. Not saying it couldn't happen but just think its one more factor to put in the equation.