Forget Convenience When It Comes To Child Birth, Doctors Say
By: Stephanie Jackson, KARK 4 News
Updated: January 11, 2007
Findings published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology show, babies born from planned c-sections were more likely to be transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit, than babies born vaginally.
The study also shows planned c-section babies also experienced a higher rate of lung disorders.
Dr. Curtis Lowery specializes in high-risk births at UAMS. He says, many moms-to-be want planned c-sections because it's convenient, but he says, everything comes with a price.
"It may be that the act of labor is beneficial to the fetus, maybe sort of like turning on an internal clock, telling it, it needs to get ready. And when you do elective c-sections, if they're not full term then they don't have the luxury of being turned on and prepared for birth," Dr. Lowery says.
Dr. Lowery also says the focus should be on reducing unnecessary primary c-sections... which would cut down on the need for repeat elective ones.
"We have to do the right thing for the baby, and though it might be a little inconvenient, it's best not to mess with Mother Nature."
