C-Sections Pose Respiratory Risks for Some Small Preemies

Name: Sameeha Posting #1

Topic: Health

Title of Article: C-Sections Pose Respiratory Risks for Some Small Preemies

Author: Roni Caryn Rabin

Publication Name: New York Times Date of Publication: February 9, 2012

Length of article: 725 words

Last Wednesday, Kathleen Sebelius, the federal secretary of health and human services announced that very small babies delivered prematurely by a C-section develop more respiratory problems later in life than the babies of regular deliveries. Researchers have discovered that it is much better for the baby and the mother to let the pregnancy go on as long as possible and let labor start naturally. A campaign trying to increase the public's awareness emphasizes that "healthy babies are worth the wait." Researchers are not exactly sure why babies delivered by C-section are 30% more likely to develop some kind of respiratory illness. However, this study was able to disprove the common belief that C-section deliveries are less traumatic for babies than vaginal birth. Some scientists believe that "the physical compression the baby experiences during labor helps remove fluid from the lungs and prepares the baby to breathe air." This might explain why babies born by C-section have a higher chance of developing a respiratory illness. In recent years, more and more babies have had to be delivered prematurely by C-section, even when C-section was unnecessary. In addition to the developmental delays that these babies are at risk of having, the babies are also more likely to develop respiratory illnesses. Recently, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has been trying to make the public more aware of the risks and dangers of C-sections and making it easier for all women to have vaginal deliveries.

New research like this is making the public more aware of the dangers of C-sections and the benefits of natural child birth. Many organizations are trying to make it easier for women who delivered their first child by C-section to still deliver their second child through natural child birth. Even though this can put these women at risk for uterine rupture, it is highly unlikely and natural birth will be better overall for the baby and the mother. Researchers urge women to wait and consider vaginal deliveries over C-sections because it will help their babies have better respiratory outcomes after being born. Right now, 1 in 3 babies are delivered by C-section and doctors hope that they can get this number down by educating women about the dangers of C-section.