I'm trying to find information regarding my nephew who was just born by scheduled C-Section 8/21/06. Decent size 7lbs.9ozs. but within a couple of hours after birth he was having trouble with his breathing. Breathing very fast. He was put on oxygen, medications & a ventilator. Transferred to NICU. The dr. is telling the parents that the lungs were slightly underdeveloped and had some fluid and it will take time...How much time is the big mystery. According to her original due date of 9/9/06, the math tells me that the section was scheduled 3 weeks early with no medical reason that I know of. OB/GYN is covering his butt by saying the ultrasound showed that the lungs were developed. I'm the Mom of 4 by vaginal delivery so I have no experience with C-sections. I've searched the internet but I'm not finding the answers I'm seeking. Any imput would be greatly appreciated.

I wonder why the Dr did the c-section without giving the chance to go all the way... and a scheduled c-section at that without an emergency :scratch: I really would try to find out what the reason for not waiting 3 more weeks to do the c-section was if there wasn't any health issues with Mom or baby.
I had a c-section at 37 weeks but it was due to a health issue that was not getting better and had the possibility of hurting the baby.

Hello! I'm sorry I don't know your name.......I, too, had a C-section, at 39w 4d, but only because the baby was big (and he was :)..), and I had GD, so the doctors didn't want to risk him getting stuck. I was told clearly why they were strongly recommending the section...

A lot of drs these days are VERY pro-C-section, because it's easier to do, less risk, more money, on and on and on.. obviously, it needs to be medically justified... would DEFINITELY ask the dr what the reason was in your nephew's case. What do the parents say? What did the drs tell them?

My scheduled C-sections were done no sooner than 10 days prior to my due date. I'm not sure why a doctor would perform one that early without a clear medical reason.

Lora

Usually 37 weeks is considered full term, meaning they won't normally try to stop labor if it happens. I don't understand why many doctors will schedule things early or induce or do a c-section for no reason.

My doctor actually asked me if I wanted her to induce almost 3 weeks early. I said no way. I don't want to risk that my baby's lungs would not be mature. She even told me that she did a c-section at 37 weeks because the mom said it was more convienient and the same thing happened, the baby had to spend time in NICU because the lungs were not mature. The doctor also apparently got a very nasty letter from the insurance company because they didn't appreciate paying all the extra charges to NICU when there was no medical reason to take the baby early. Makes no sense.

I'm sure with time the baby's lungs will mature and he will be fine. C-section babies also have more trouble with fluid in their lungs because they do not go through the birth canal and get all the fluid sqeezed out of their lungs. It's still a good lesson for the parents that sometime medical intervention is not the best idea.

Did she request a C-section?

I have had 3 C-sections due to 3 failed labours. My first labour was induced due to Gestational Diabetes and even with that it wasn't induced until 38 weeks. My 2nd and 3rd I went into labour naturally, and my last one who came at 38 weeks had alot of mucus on his lungs and spent next 2 days spitting it up.

I would definatley try and find out why it was scheduled so early, (even though 37 weeks is considering full term, obviously the longer they are in the better)

i had a c section at 36 weeks. my water had broke but my labor never started. the dr and nurses were encouraging me to stay in the hospital for 1 week before they delivor(if i would last that long). they put great emphase on the fact that the babys lungs may not be fully developed and that 37 weeks the baby has a way greater chance with their lungs. this means their would still be risk. it sounds like you need to get some answers. good luck!

C-section babies also have more trouble with fluid in their lungs because they do not go through the birth canal and get all the fluid sqeezed out of their lungs.

This is exactly true. I had an emergency c-section at 41 weeks, 1 day after induction because I didn't dialate past 3 cm and it put my son in fetal distress. They were worried about size and estimated I was going to have a 10 lb baby. While his lungs were fully developed, he did have trouble with fluid in his lungs due to merconium (sp?). I delivered a 7 lb, 2oz. baby boy. At almost 4, he still has lung issues with allergies and is easily susceptable to viral infections.

my daughter who is now 5 also has allergies and i also forgot to mention that she has had pneumonia 5 times by the age of 2. she is definaltly better and stronger however, it is a given she will get the flu twice every winter. thats with the flu shot.