Early caesarian section carries health risk for mother and child a study reveals. It is believed that a child becomes full term by 37 weeks hence caesarian section can be done by 37 weeks. But latest studies point out that if pregnancy is terminated before 39 weeks it will affect the health of mother and child.various studies, including one in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology in October, have cautioned against elective c-sections being performed too early.The latest study was based on an analysis of 13,258 elective Caesarean deliveries nationwide between 1999 and 2002, of which 36% were performed at 37 or 38 weeks.
Most people choose early elective CS to ensure that their doctor is available on that date. Some others just cant bear the pain of a Vaginal delivery.But most early elective Caesarian sections are as a result of medical conditions like pre eclampsia, Diabetes etc hence CS cannot be avoided in such situations.
Health Risks of CS
For the infant
1. Respiratory distress.
2.Infections
3. Need for cardiac resuscitation
4. Hospitalization more than 5 days
Mother
Risk at subsequent pregnancies
The study didn’t include women who went into labor or who had c-sections because of medical emergencies. The study looked only at repeat pregnancies, since a woman’s first c-section usually isn’t elective.
The study is against elective caesarian section and if ever one plans for an elective CS they recommend it by 39 weeks of gestation.
source:Online WSJ