When to have a caesarian

Heavens, I think you just have to go with your gut as to which doctor you trust.



You've probably had all the medical opinions you want, but the best reader of pre-natal ultrasounds in HK is generally said to be Dr Lam in St Georges Bldg, Central. 2877 3280.

My baby was in an extended breech position so I elected to have a c-section. I had my baby at 38wks and 2days. Most doctors in HK say that you can have a c-section as early as 2wks before your due date. They prefer to do it earlier anyway as they don't want the mother to be in labour as they are trying to get the baby out. At 38wks the baby should be fully devleoped. The last two wks are mainly for putting on weight. My baby boy was born 6lb6ozs and is fine and happy.

If I was in your position I would go with the doctor you most trust but you're nearly there anyway. So good luck!

In the case of low amniotic fluid (which was a condition that I had) the US standard is to have a c-section as early as 36 weeks. My father is an ob/gyn and flew to Seoul to make sure that I delivered right away after he found out my doctor in Seoul was delaying my c-section. My dad and my doctor duked it out in the office going over different protocols - and finally my doctor in Seoul agreed to do an emergency c-section for me that day.


If you have low amniotic fluid, there is a increased risk for interuterine growth retardation - and if that is the condition of your baby, after you've completed your 36 week, it's BETTER for your baby to be "grown" outside of your body.


My little baby was so tiny when born - 2.12 KG at 37 weeks (a week delayed due to my Seoul doctor) and now at 4 months is in the 75%ile for weight and height..my dad was right - I grew the baby outside of my body better than I could inside.


Upon my father's arrival in seoul, we went to a private clinic to have my ultrasound done - where they also had a different opinion than my original doctor (they could find more amniotic fluid by looking for it.) But CLINICALLY, the private doc agreed that an earlier c-section was warranted.


Cara's right though - 3 days aint' that much of a difference..

First if the baby is a breech and the fluid is low it is NOT going to turn--you need to have a cesarean birth.


TIMING, Are your dates are corect?, babies are as mature at 38 weeks as they are going to be--- so 37 weeks is in that sense 1 week early. If we were here debating whether to take the baby at 35 weeks then lengthy discussion would be in order.

If the fluid is low, baby is unlikely to grow and lung maturity is usually fine at 37w.

37 weeks and a couple of days sounds good to me, of course medicine by Email has its limitations.

My baby was born at 37.3 weeks, all Ok, 7.2 Lbs. He is now growing at an alarming rate!

My opinion- If you are in a private hospital, the escalated costs and hassle of a breech/emergency C birth are quite high. Esp. if you are booked in for a natural birth at this point. Most HK Doctors SEEM to want a quick, easy delivery for their 50,000. Make sure any decision you make is based on your gut feeling, not your Dr's pressure so he can do the 15 minutes then go play golf.

I had 2 months of being told my baby was 'huge' before the birth . It even says Clinically Large Baby on my hospital doc's. To say they panicked me is an understatement- I could develop pre- eclampsia, have a fit and kill both of us ( really!), high blood pressure, low amniotic fluid etc. etc. Maybe not the best example to give you, but unfortunately true.

However -

I think you can never second guess your babys well being. I shudder to think of horror stories I have heard re: waiting too long. As long as you are comfortable with the decision, there is no harm in your baby coming early.

If you need reassurance in the next few days, why not go in for foetal monitoring once a day, and set your mind at rest that your baby is doing OK in there.