The Risks of C-Sections to Babies

In the US, c-sections are at an all time high...but are they risk free?

A recent study confirmed that for babies there are risks associated with a c-section - also called a cesarean section. Babies delivered by a repeat, elective cesarean section are almost twice as likely to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit - NICU - than babies born with a VBAC - vaginal birth after cesarean section.

The researchers of a study - published in the 2009 June issue of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology - discovered that babies born by cesarean section are also more likely to have breathing problems requiring supplemental oxygen.

In the United States, the rate of cesareans just keeps on rising - over 31%. The sad part is that once you have a cesarean section, your chance of having a repeat cesarean is 90%. So the old saying "once a c-section always a c-section" is once again becoming true.

Dr. Kamath - the head of the study - analyzed the risks associated with a repeat cesarean against the risk of a VBAC. In order to do so, her team analyzed the records from the perinatal database at the University of Colorado Denver.

They used records dating from late 2005 to mid-2008 - a little over 2 1/2 years - and involving 343 moms who had a repeat, elective cesarean section and another 329 moms who planned VBAC.

The researchers of this study focused their attention on the difference between the two groups:

between newborn babies admitted to the NICU for breathing problems

cost difference of a cesarean versus a VBAC

Dr. Kamath and her team further divided the moms into 4 groups:

planned a cesarean but went into labor on their own - 104

planned and had a cesarean without going into labor - 239

planned a VBAC but had another cesarean - 85

planned a VBAC and it was successful - 244

As you can see the VBAC babies fared much better than the c-section babies.

It will be of no surprise to you that the cost for a cesarean was higher at $8,268 on average than for a VBAC - $6,647.

In conclusion, all women who choose to have a repeat, elective c-section should be made aware of the cesarean risks to themselves and their babies in order to make a truly informed decision.

If you are pregnant for the first time, you should be very aware that the way you deliver your first baby could - and will - affect your other births. We believe that a natural pregnancy, a sound diet and midwifery care give you the best chance of having your baby vaginally.

If you have already had a cesarean, you need to know that you can have a vaginal birth. Research and education are key.

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