United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I have a c-section scheduled for 3/31, which is 38 weeks. I have had ultrasounds and we're expecting another big baby (Nicole was 9 lbs, 12.6 oz). The drs. told me that there's a risk of the lungs not being fully developed at 38 weeks (and esp. b/c they develop slower in big babies and / or babies of Moms with insulin problems). I don't have gestational diabetes, but I'm not too far away, so I seem to have some problems with insulin (during preg. anyway). To be on the safe side regarding the lungs, they want to do an amnio. 2 days prior to my c-s. This was recommended by a high-risk specialist that I'm seeing and also agreed to by the regular OB that I'm seeing. From what I'm told, the main concern would be the water breaking and if that were to happen, well I was planning to have the c-s 2 days later anyway, so it shouldn't be a problem at that point.

Anyway, I'm posting to get feedback from others who have had a c-s scheduled prior to the due date. Did you have to have an amnio? How far along was the c-s scheduled? If you had an amnio, how did it go? Anything I need to know or any questions I should ask the dr? I've gotten pretty good at coming up with long lists of ?s when it comes to Nicole's dr appts, but am not as good at it for myself.

If you're more comfortable e-mailing me, you may do so at bpmom@comcast.net. Don't be afraid of "scaring" me with any concerns I should have. I'd rather know them now and be an educated patient, then to findout the hard way later. Thanks.

-Tina

I had a similar test done. Not an amnio where they just take fluid, but a CVS test where they go deeper to your placenta and take placental tissue out (so it's just slighly more invasive). They used a 22 inch needle (I didn't look, but I saw it on my chart). I brought my husband with me because I wanted him to look. I figured that if I was the one going through it, he had to at least look. I felt a teeny, tiny needle puncture in my skin (much LESS than a blood test, honestly) and that was all I felt. I did not feel it go through my uterine wall or anything else. They had to track down the best place for my placenta and they used ultrasound to do that so it took a few minutes for them to find the right spot, but otherwise it was a very simple test. I was more scared then I should have been. If I ever have to do this again, it would be fine.

Later that day I did have some cramping, I guess my placenta was mad at me. So I just spent the rest of the day quiet and on the couch.

I wish you the best. If I was nearby I'd come and hold your hand while you were having it done.

I am due to have a c-section with my 4th child (3rd child BPI) on June 23, actual due date is July 2nd. I asked my doctor about having an amnio and was told I did not have to have one...does this sound right?? Reading your message has me thinking I should...I will ask at my next appointment.

Actually, Christi, it does sound right that you prob. wouldn't need an amnio being that your scheduled date is only 9 days before your due date. Initially, my scheduled date was going to be 1 week prior to my due date (and I wasn't going to need an amnio at that point). However, this baby is very big (my first, Nicole, was 9 lbs, 12.6 oz). The past two ultrasounds have shown this baby to be in the 90th %ile. The dr. does not want to cut the scheduled date too close and to risk me going into labor, so he recommended doing it an addt'l week prior (at 38 wks). I actually feel better about having the c-s scheduled at 38 wks rather than at 39 wks b/c one of my concerns was (and still is to a small extent) -- what if I go into labor on my own prior to the scheduled date? I went into labor with Nicole at 38 1/2 weeks. I'm confident that any dr. in the group and quite likely in the group that they alternate with would perform a c-s and not try to attempt a vaginal birth (plus it's written on some papers that I now have to carry around with me everywhere I go -- "just in case"). However, I really want a particular dr. in the group to perform the delivery. He's the most one who I'm the most confident with doing the delivery, so I'm really hoping to be "on schedule" and am somewhat relieved to have the date set at 38 weeks.

Another factor that went into the amnio was the way my body processes insulin. Although I haven't been diagnosed with GD, my #s are borderline and the dr. told me that babies of Moms with GD and / or big babies tend to have their lungs develop slower. Do you have GD? Did you with any of your other preg.? How big was your child with the BPI?

Who knows, perhaps knowing that I have a daughter with a permanent and severe birth injury is also influencing the drs. to be extra cautious. If that's the case too, that's not so bad.

You never know, there might be reasons why your scheduled date might change at some point too. Maybe when you go for your next appt., you could ask what their cutoff is for doing an amnio. I was told that if I went into labor on my own at 38 wks that they wouldn't do an amnio, but that if I was scheduled for delivery at 38 wks, then based on ACOG recommendations, they would do an amnio.

BTW, do you mind if I ask what your child's name is (the one w/the BPI)? I was just wondering if you're the Christi I used to communicate with a long time ago. Take care.

-Tina

Thanks for the information, I appreciate it! All of my children were large - 1st was 9.2, 2nd was 9.9 and my 3rd was 10.10 and she suffered a BPI to her left arm. I am concerned about the size of this baby being that "Reagan" was so large. I will ask about an ultrasound closer to my c-section date just to be sure of his size. I have never been diagnosed with GD with any of my pregnancies. I had the challenge test in the beginning of this preg. and will do it again at 28 weeks. Thanks again for your help and good luck!