Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
08:49
External Cephalic Version: Is it an Effective and Safe Procedure?
Published on: June 6, 2020
Myth: babies would choose prelabour caesarean section
Anjita Sinha1, Susan Bewley, Thea McIntosh
1Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London, UK.
Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine
|May 17, 2011
Summary
Babies born via planned prelabour caesarean sections (PLCS) face higher risks of respiratory issues and developmental problems. Evidence suggests that babies naturally benefit from experiencing labor, highlighting the importance of informed maternal consent in delivery decisions.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Neonatal Health
- Perinatal Medicine
Background:
- Rising caesarean section (CS) rates are a significant concern, particularly for planned prelabour CS (PLCS) requested for non-medical reasons or repeat procedures.
- Shortening gestation and bypassing labor can impact fetal maturity, potentially leading to adverse health outcomes for newborns.
- There is a notable gap in understanding the long-term developmental consequences of non-labored births.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of planned prelabour caesarean sections (PLCS) on neonatal health and development.
- To inform mothers about the evidence regarding delivery modes and their implications for infant well-being.
- To advocate for evidence-based decision-making in obstetric interventions, considering both maternal and fetal health.
Main Methods:
- Review of current evidence on neonatal morbidities associated with PLCS.
- Analysis of the impact of labor on fetal maturity and development.
- Examination of existing knowledge gaps concerning immunological and metabolic differences induced by obstetric interventions.
Main Results:
- Babies born without experiencing labor exhibit significantly increased risks of respiratory and other morbidities.
- These morbidities can have profound effects on immediate and potentially lifelong child development.
- Emerging evidence points to immunological and metabolic differences in infants delivered via interventions.
Conclusions:
- Normal, healthy babies appear to benefit from experiencing labor.
- Obstetricians should consider advocating for awaiting or inducing labor, even in cases of maternal request for CS.
- Informed maternal consent is crucial, requiring comprehensive understanding of all available evidence on delivery risks and benefits.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:29Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...