Toronto (ECN) - A scientific study was done on cesarean sections. United
States researchers found that more than fifty percent of cesarean sections that
doctors perform are done by the choice of doctors and their patients. Many
celebrities have even had elective cesareans because they are worried about the
effects that a natural delivery will have on their bodies.
The study found that more than thirty three percent of cesarean deliveries are
performed too early by doctors. If babies are born too early then they can have
breathing problems and other medical issues.
The scientific study examined 13,258 births. The researchers found that if an
elective cesarean section is performed when a woman is thirty seven weeks
pregnant that the risk of health complications doubles. A baby is considered a
full term baby when the mother has reached thirty seven weeks gestation.
Many women decide to have elective cesarean sections without fully understanding
the possible complications that might occur. Many women think that because their
baby is considered full term that if they decide to have their baby delivered
early then everything will be okay. When women are pregnant they feel
uncomfortable and do not like the way that they look. They have their nurseries
decorated and are constantly being asked when their babies will be born by
friends and family members. Women are anxious to meet their new arrivals and be
done with their pregnancies that they ask their doctors to perform elective
cesarean sections so that their baby can be delivered. Doctors have a hard time
saying no to their patients because the babies are considered full term at
thirty seven weeks.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have stated that they
feel that a baby should be considered full term when it is thirty nine weeks
gestation. Even at thirty eight weeks gestation, there is a fifty percent higher
risk for health complications from a cesarean section.
Women need to understand that pregnancy is hard and can be very tiring but
getting as far as you can in your pregnancy is what is best for babies. You want
your child to have the best start in life that they possibly can. Doctors should
only perform early cesarean sections if there is a valid medical reason. Women
can wait until they are at least thirty nine weeks pregnant to have an elective
cesarean section if they so wish. The medical community needs to think not only
of the patients’ requests but also what is best for the unborn child when they
are born. Having a baby is a miraculous event, but you should not rush it just
because you want to see your baby or be done with your pregnancy.
