Early Caesareans is a risk to Newborns
Anyone who knows me, knows I am not a fan of caesarean (C-section) births unless it is an ABSOLUTE emergency . . . life or death situation for a mother and/or her unborn fetus. Or if you have had a caesarean previously. For these reasons I can understand. But if you elect to have a C-section so you can pick the day your baby is born or if your doctor suggests you have it so they can make it easier for their schedule, then I have a huge issue, huge!!!
There are just too many immediate, short term and long term health complications that are associated with C-Sections for both mom and baby. While it seems like the ideal situation — choosing when you give birth– it is not always the best situation. Many women don’t realize the health issues they will face afterwards. Finally, a study has revealed what many of us health professionals have already known, that caesareans, especially early caesareans can have negative impacts on the baby. 
A study supported by NICHD was published last Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine about the threat that early caesareans pose to newborns. The study shows that more than one-third of mothers who had their babies by repeat C-Section, had them earlier than recommended medical guidelines. As a result, the babies experienced major health complications like respiratory distress, infections, hypoglycemia, being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, or being hospitalized for five or more days.
Although babies born by Caesarean section after just 37 weeks of pregnancy are considered full-term, the study found they were twice as likely to suffer complications as those born by Caesarean after 39 weeks. Infants born by Caesarean at 38 weeks were 50 percent more likely to have a medical problem than those born at 39 weeks.
Ladies, I only ask that you do your research when it comes to elective C-Sections and ask your doctor tons of questions if they are suggesting a C-section, especially for your first birth. Be informed. Remember you are your best health advocate.
My labor was induced 6 days before my due date because I was so tiny before I was pregnant and it was already estimated that my son would be over 9 lbs. The doctor broke my water at 8 AM and by 9 PM I had only dialated 2 cms more than I was that morning. That is 13 hours of oxytocin (most of which was a higher dosage than he liked to give in an attempt to speed up the process because I was obviously not able to eat that entire time) and very little progress. The doctor gave me the option of a C-section due to his increased concern for my ability to push when the need arose (if it ever did). He told me that I would have until 10 PM to make the decision and if I hadn’t made it by then, he would make it for me. My son was born at 10:15 PM that night. I agree that C-sections aren’t the way to go unless they are deemed necessary. Like I said, I was only 6 days before my due date and my son and I still had to stay in the hospital until the Wednesday after his birth (which was on Sunday). The pediatrician was concerned about his jaundice and the fact that he continued to spit up mucus which was making him get choked up. I was scared to death to come home because I just knew he would get choked in the middle of the night and I wouldn’t know about it. I didn’t sleep well for days. The doctor said that this mucus was due to the C-section. He said that my son wasn’t able to get it up like he would have been able to if I had him naturally. When they go through the birth canal, the “tight squeeze” forces most of the mucus out of their chest and it poses no major issues. Since this was not the case with him, he had problems with it for about a week after birth. I’m happy with the way things worked out (my OB/GYN said after my son was born that there was no way that I could have had him naturally. At 9 lbs and 5 oz, he was too big for my tiny frame) but I wouldn’t have even considered a C-section if I thought it posed a danger to my son. She is right, do the research before you go in because I honestly didn’t. I assumed what every new mother would assume. I thought I would have him naturally and there would be no problems but certain instances do arise when C-sections may become necessary so be prepared and be informed, if not for yourself then do it for your child…