When doctor's schedule a c-section, how far in advance of the due date is typical?

I'm considering a VBAC, but want all the info. If a c-section is scheduled (simply because the mother had one in the past, as I did), then how long before the due date is the c-section usually scheduled? I don't like the idea of forcing a baby to be born when the doctor's think is best rather than when the baby is ready. Thanks!|||My friend just recently had a c-section and it was dated within a week of her due date.|||39 weeks usually. They try to avoid you going into labor. I had one scheduled for 39 weeks but I went into labor at 37 weeks and had to do the c-section the same day. If you do try the VBAC, you'll have to go the hospital as soon as you go into labor to be constantly monitored. The main worry is the risk of Uterine Rupture which is reported to happen in about 1 of 100 labors after C-Section.|||My csection is scheduled for one week before my due date. (At 39 weeks)|||If you are having a planned C-section then they will schedule you at least a week before your due date to ensure that you don't go into labor.





If you are going to try for a VBAC, the doctor will probably want to schedule a C-section for the day of (or possibly as late 2 weeks after depending on the doctor) if you do not go into labor by then.





Honestly, I had a C-section with my son, and a VBAC 2 1/2 years later with my daughter. I had the same struggle trying to get accurate information on what to do.


Some doctors are going to be totally against it, and most of the time use the "Rupture" line to try to scare you into committing to another c-section.


What you need to know about this line is that is total bull$***. Yes you can rupture, but there are a few facts they don't normally mention.





1. The chance of you rupturing if you have a low transverse scar, and have had at least 1 year to heal is only 1/300. Now I know this sounds like a lot but consider this fact.





2. If you rupture the only thing that happens is that you get a c-section, the same thing that would have happened if you hadn't even tried VBAC.





Math is also on your side. A Planned C-section has about a 1/3,000 chance of having serious complications associated with the procedure.


A VBAC has a 1/300 chance of rupture, but of those who rupture and are forced to have a emergency c-section only 1/1,500 have serious complications.





So you either have to be that unlucky 1/3,000 from a planned c-section,


Or that 1/300 AND THEN BE THAT 1/1,500 out of them who has complications from a VBAC rupture %26amp; emergency c-section.








I loved my VBAC, honestly I could talk or type all night on how AMAZING my VBAC was in comparison to my C-section. I didn't have any complications with my C-section at all, everything went smoothly. My labor lasted for almost 2 days and had tons of trouble dilating (nothing to do with it being a VBAC, just didn't have enough sleep) but I STILL LOVED my VBAC compared to the alternative. The recovery time, the bonding with my baby...





Anyway, I would make the same decision over and over. Most doctors just like c-sections for 3 reasons.





1. Liability, Doctors love to intervene with medication and surgery on something that most of the time can work all by itself, but if you can claim that medical intervention one minute sooner would have saved you a stretch-mark you can sue for that now. Bunch of bs...





2. Time. My VBAC lasted almost 2 days (some womens labor is even longer), a Scheduled c-section is much much faster and easier to plan lunch and dinner around. This is also the reason they are using increasingly the chemical Pitocin.





3. The big one, MONEY. The bill for my C-section more than $25,000. The bill for my VBAC (even with a personal nurse assigned just to me for being a high risk VBAC...) Less than $5,000, with a 5 day hospital stay for extended observation. (I didn't mind, I didn't have to cook anything for awhile)





If you want to see some other fun facts you should watch this documentary, The Business of Being Born. Wonderful film...





Anyway, look into it. Its worth it. But if you are going to do it, seek the truth from reliable sources (don't just take one persons word for it, or even two people) and make sure you commit to it as early as possible. You have to find a doctor and a hospital willing to let you make the attempt.








Good luck =)