ECS - To labour or not to labour?

I just read that even if you are having an elective you "should" allow yourself to go into labour naturally as this prepares the baby better for birth (breathing etc) and then there is no risk of getting dates wrong and having the op too early.

Your thoughts?

ETA: Thought I should add my thoughts, since I started the topic LOL
I think it is a good idea in theory and will do whatever is best for baby (and as long as I don't have to wait HOURS again for the op room!), and at least something will be a surprise (the birth date)

Edited by Two Blondinis

I guess...

This time my waters broke at 12 noon and I didn't get any niggles or anything until 7pm that night when I went into full on labour from the get go. But can't expect that next time!

i didn't labour at all with jack and i think my milk came in quicker than it did with charli, who i did labour with.
i think if i did get preggy again, as it has to be a c/s with #3, i would wait til i was in labour HOWEVER i did end up with a tear to my uterous because charli was so far down the birth canal they had trouble pulling her back the other way

so i'm also on the fence

no labour for me i am not going thur that again end of storey

Well as I've said in my other post, my decision has been made...if I'm allowed I'll labour.

Bombshell wrote: or like me labour would have endangered me or the baby and i had risk of cord prolapse if i had waters break and laboured so our elective was to avoid labour at all costs. guess it depends on your reason for an elective...mine was to have me and baby arrive safe and alive!

Exactly! Bottom line is always what ever is the best for you and baby!!!

Well I'll join you guys on the fence, looks like I am in good company. I have a friend in this scenario at the moment due in a few weeks. 1st baby was planned c-section due to being breech. Had some problems early on because basically she wasn't ready to come, she is ok now.

My friend said this time she wants to have a c-section but wait until her labour starts so she can ensure the baby is ready. Does anyone know if this is something that is done?

Hi there just sw the thread and thought id join in. Im new to this so hope im doing it rite.

I think the whole birthing experience for both Mother and Baby is an extremly scary thing, mabey thats why we dont remember being born.

My point is either way its going to be really frightful, for both, so yeh minimise the fear as best you can but how exactly, who knows?

I dont believe that being pushed down with every contraction can be much better for he poor little tykes.
And remember babies are born with that mecinism that stops them from taking a breath until the surface from water or until they are fully delivered. So what ever you are comfortable with and what ever options the safest go with that.

I think that if we were to have another child (whcih we aren't but I want to join in the discussion!) that i would not try for a VBAC, but would go for an ECS and would not want to labour at all.

This c section was an emergency after a failed induction so I did labour albeit artificially due to nduction. But I feel that i have given the natural attempt a good go and would not bother with it next time in case it failed again and I had to have the emergency done. Much better to have everything safe and have me rested I reckon Waiting to go into labour to then rush in for a c section when I know I can't deliver vaginally would stress me out as I would be watching every niggle. Especially having had none this time, i still wouldnt know what my body was doing!