Elective C-Sections and Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome

When you are faced with the decision to have a cesarean (c-section) or a natural birth there are often
concerns that go beyond things like scarring, recovery, future births etc., there are also concerns that can affect your baby.  In other words, is there a possibility for long term or even short term side effects that can affect your baby’s overall health?

One problem that I have read about in my research that I wanted to discuss in this article is the issue concerning the scheduling of your c-section surgery and the affect it may have on infant respiratory problems, specifically Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome.  The issue seemed immediately alarming to me and upon consideration of such a possibility I examined it closer.

Studies have shown that during a vaginal delivery the mother’s body releases hormones from the thyroid that help the baby maintain normal respiratory rates and also helps the infant cope with the trauma of birth. If these hormones are not absorbed by the child upon delivery Respiratory Distress Syndrome can occur causing abnormal respiratory results in the infant.  However, it’s interesting to note that for a non-scheduled emergency c-section the mother is almost always in labor allowing for such hormones to reach the child before the procedure.

What’s important to note here is that c-sections scheduled at the forty week mark of pregnancy have shown no difference in respiratory readings than those children vaginally delivered; so scheduling a C-section before the 39th week is not recommended. Ideally, to avoid such complications, you want to schedule your C-section as close to your normal labor date as possible.

Scheduling your c-section for the appropriate period in the growth and development of your child is important; operating too soon or too late is definitely something a new mother needs to consider.  

If you know you will be having a c-section sit down with your doctor and discuss all the pros and cons of having a cesarean versus a vaginal birth, make sure to bring up the possible problems associated with the timing of your procedure and Respiratory Distress Syndrome.  Ask about alternative schedule dates or what you should do if you do not go into labor the week of your scheduled date.  Also find out if there are things you can do to reduce the risks of respiratory problems during birth and what happens if a respiratory related problem does occur during delivery.

Always do your research and don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions.  The immediate as well as the future health of your baby may depend on it.