Caesarean birth is an intervention that represents a greater risk for the baby and the mother than a natural birth. In many cases it is the only solution to save the baby's life, although many others are performed indiscriminately, raising the rates of caesarean sections, doubling and even tripling (in the case of the United States) the 10% -15% recommended by the WHO.
A study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine has investigated the risks of performing a caesarean section before term by placing the most convenient time to do it within seven days prior to the date of delivery.
The results can be very useful to stop the amount of caesarean sections scheduled before the 39th week of gestation, except in those cases in which the life of the baby is in danger and there is no other than to be born before, it is clear.
Although at 37 weeks a baby is considered full term, researchers advise against caesarean section before week 39, unless it is shown that his lungs are mature.
Babies born by caesarean section at week 37 and 38 had a high risk of respiratory complications, need assisted ventilation, hypoglycemia and require hospitalization. In short, they presented greater health problems than those babies born by caesarean section at week 39.
In any case, it is not recommended to undergo a C-section without having a strong medical reason to do so, either before or after. But if there is, according to the study, it is preferable that the intervention is practiced almost at the end of pregnancy.
