Originally published Nov 6, 2008 at 12:08 AM on Cafemom
So, I read a surprising comment today--someone believing the risk of amniocentesis outweighs the risk of a cesarean to the baby. She said that a cesarean has its risks, but amnio could be the end of the world.
Do people really think a cesarean is that SAFE? I'm sorry, but it's not. And while, yes, the risks to mom are higher than risks to baby, just because those risks are frightening and include horrific infections, infertility, death, etc. does not make the risks to baby insignificant (and they are still greater than to a baby born vaginally and include a 3x increase in risk in death).
Here's just the short list, so you don't have to drag through all the papers and sources I have.
image courtesy of stockxchng
Risks to baby from cesarean section birth
Breathing problems[1]
weakened immune system[2]
digestive problems[3]
fetal injury[4]
diabetes (risk is 20% greater for babies born by c-birth)[5]
asthma (risk is 50% greater)[6]
neonatal depression (from anesthesia)[7]
hospital borne infections (rate is higher due to the longer stay after a c-birth)[8]
neonatal mortality (risk rises from .62 to 1.77)[9]
and increased risk of SIDS[10]
Low APGARS[11]
There's the list of the most common side effects. I know that most people aren't aware of them, so that's why I compiled a list here. I couldn't find a comprehensive list anywhere else. I may expand this journal with a short synopsis of each condition at a later date.
My daughter was born by cesarean, beautifully, APGARS of 9, no side effects that we know of. But that doesn't negate that these risks are real and any baby born by cesarean could be affected in one of the ways above. It's important to be informed about the potential risks in any procedure being performed on you or your baby.
image courtesy of stockxchng
[8]Pai, Madhukar. 2000. “Medical Interventions: Caesareans Sections as a Case Study.” Economic and Political Weekly 35 (31): 2755-2761.
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