You will usually have a planned c-section at 39 weeks of pregnancy. The aim is to do the c-section before you go into labour. Babies born earlier than 39 weeks are more likely to need help with their breathing.
Is It Too Early to Have C Section at 37 Weeks? In most cases, it is not a good idea to undergo a C-section when you are 37 weeks pregnant. If you and your baby are healthy, it is always better to opt for vaginal delivery. Even in case of certain complications, it is better to wait until at least 39 weeks of pregnancy.
If size is a factor, a smaller baby and less chances of complications. If size and breech are a major factor, a 38 week cesarean can minimize further complications, higher sugars in a baby, ease pregnancy discomforts in those later stages for you as well, etc. Please note - an elective cesarean is a choice.
There are exceptions to the 39-week rule, of course, including conditions such as placenta previa, which is when the placenta covers the cervix and poses a bleeding risk. In that case, a C-section might be scheduled as early as 36 or 37 weeks, Dr. Brimmage says.
Typically, a planned C-section will be scheduled to take place around week 39 of pregnancy, usually because there is a known medical reason to do so.
Where possible, planned caesarean sections are often done at around 39 weeks. If there are problems or if you are having multiple babies (for example, twins), your caesarean may be done earlier than this. Remember to take a bag for your stay in hospital, containing the things you and your baby will need.
Moderate-to-late preterm babies (born at a gestational age of 32 to 36 weeks) with no significant medical problems on admission are likely to be discharged at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age, according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Perinatology.
Early term: Your baby is born between 37 weeks, 0 days and 38 weeks, 6 days. Full term: Your baby is born between 39 weeks, 0 days and 40 weeks, 6 days. Late term: Your baby is born between 41 weeks, 0 days and 41 weeks, 6 days. Postterm: Your baby is born after 42 weeks, 0 days.
By 36 weeks, your baby's lungs are fully formed and ready to take their first breath after the birth. The digestive system is fully developed and your baby will be able to feed if they're born now.
Babies born too early may have more health problems at birth and later in life than babies born later. Being pregnant 39 weeks gives your baby's body all the time it needs to develop. Your baby needs 39 weeks in the womb because: Important organs, like your baby's brain, lungs and liver, need time to develop.
The typical C-section takes about 45 minutes from start to finish. After your provider delivers your baby, they'll stitch your uterus and close the incision in your abdomen. Different types of emergencies can arise during a delivery.
We know that every patient has a different labor and delivery experience, but in general, it takes around six weeks to completely heal from your C-section. “We realize many of our patients also face the challenge of caring for the baby while they're recovering,” said Dr. Son.
Healthy, full-term babies (at least 37 weeks gestation) can usually go home from the hospital sometime between 24 and 48 hours after birth. Some late preterm babies (born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation) may be healthy enough to go home after a short stay (at least 48 hours) as well.
Babies born early (called premature babies) may have more health problems at birth and later in life than babies born on time. This is why it's important to wait until at least 39 weeks for a scheduled c-section. If your pregnancy is healthy, it's best to let labor begin on its own.
Babies usually weigh an average of 3 to 4 kg by this late stage of pregnancy.
At 37 weeks pregnant, baby is the size of a head of romaine lettuce. Baby measures about 19.1 inches. Average baby weight at 37 weeks is 6.3 pounds, and baby is gaining about half an ounce each day.
If you're 37 weeks pregnant, you're in month 9 of your pregnancy.
Twenty-six percent were born in weeks 37 to 38; 57 percent in weeks 39 to 40; 6 percent in week 41; and less than 1 percent at 42 weeks or beyond.
The Night Before Your C-section
You will not be allowed to eat, drink or smoke after midnight. This includes candy, gum and water. Try to get a good night's sleep. You may brush your teeth in the morning.
They weigh about 2.5kg and measure about 34cm from head to bottom now. Their lungs and digestive system are fully formed, meaning they could breathe and feed by themselves if they were born now.
It usually takes about 6 weeks to recover from your c-section but this will depend on your individual situation. If you had any problems during or after your c-section, or if you're looking after other children at home, you may feel you need more time to recover.
As a public patient in a public hospital, C-sections will be fully covered under Medicare. In a private hospital, surgery for a C-section can cost over $10,000 on average, although estimates do vary. Bupa's surgery cost calculator, for example, puts the average price at $11,476.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology generally does not recommend scheduled C-sections before 39 weeks' gestation unless there is a medical or surgical need.