The article discusses how the widespread use of round-the-clock fetal monitoring in American hospitals, despite its limited effectiveness and tendency to lead to unnecessary C-sections, is driven by legal and business concerns rather than medical necessity, contributing to the country's high C-section rate.
The article discusses the rising incidence of placenta accreta, a life-threatening condition linked to previous C-sections, highlighting its increased prevalence and the tragic case of Holly Baumstark who died due to complications during childbirth. It emphasizes the growing risks associated with cesarean surgeries and their impact on maternal health.
Research suggests planned C-sections may increase the risk of childhood leukemia, particularly B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, though the overall risk remains low. The study highlights differences between planned and emergency C-sections and emphasizes the importance of medically necessary procedures while considering potential long-term health impacts.
"Teen Mom 2" star Kailyn Lowry and boyfriend Elijah Scott welcomed twins, a son and a daughter, who were born five weeks early via C-section. Lowry expressed fear and discomfort about the procedure but ultimately felt her family was complete with the addition of the twins, joining her five sons from previous relationships.
Teen Mom Kailyn Lowry has revealed that she secretly gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, via a challenging c-section. She shared details of the birth on her podcast, including her decision to cancel a c-section appointment, the terrifying experience of the procedure, and the difficulties she faced postpartum. This brings her total number of children to seven, and she also discussed considering having more kids with the help of a friend as a surrogate.
Maternal-assisted caesarean, a practice where a woman actively participates in her own c-section, is gaining attention as a way to make the birth experience more satisfying and meaningful for mothers. By removing the drape that separates the patient's head and chest from the lower half of her body, the woman can watch the surgery and reach down to lift her baby out of her abdomen. While not common, this procedure allows women to feel more involved and in control of their birth experience, although it requires careful preparation and consideration of safety risks.
Vaginal seeding, the process of smearing newborns with vaginal fluid to expose them to helpful bacteria they would normally get from their mother's birth canal, is not currently recommended by doctors. However, a new study from Southern Medical University in China found that infants receiving vaginal seeding scored significantly higher on questionnaires designed to measure brain development compared with babies treated with saline. While the conversation around vaginal seeding continues, doctors recommend breastfeeding to support healthy immune system development.
A randomized and blinded trial of 76 infants and mothers found that swabbing c-section babies with their mother's vaginal fluids to encourage the development of a microbiome seems to be safe and might improve brain development. Babies who had been swabbed with vaginal fluids from their mothers achieved a slightly higher number of neurodevelopmental milestones by three and six months than did c-section babies who did not receive the treatment. However, it is not clear whether these differences will be meaningful or lasting.
Jessie J has hit back at trolls for making women 'feel ashamed' for having a C-section after she underwent the procedure to welcome her son last month. The hitmaker, 35, previously revealed that despite preparing for a natural birth doctors advised a C-section as her baby was 'the wrong way round'. In a lengthy Instagram post, Jessie hit out at haters and said she was ready to 'embrace' her brand new figure. She also encouraged women to not feel ashamed or guilty for having a C-section and to focus on what is best for their baby and their own health.
Chrissy Teigen posted a photo from her C-section on Instagram in response to a bizarre claim that she used a surrogate and a "moonbump" to pretend she was pregnant. Teigen, who shares three children with husband John Legend, previously had vaginal births with her other two children. She captioned the photo of her daughter's birth as an "extremely realistic 'moon bump'".
Meghan Trainor's husband shaved her before her C-section, but it is not recommended to shave before the procedure as it can lead to infections. Medical teams will clip hair if necessary. Trainor's upcoming book on pregnancy and motherhood should not promote harmful practices.
Kate Grainger, a mother-of-three, was diagnosed with grade 3 triple negative breast cancer just 14 days before giving birth to her third child. She noticed that her colostrum was pink instead of yellow and mentioned it to her obstetrician. After giving birth via C-section, she started chemotherapy and may need a double mastectomy. Her family has been a source of support during her mental health struggles, as they are 1,400kms away from home for treatment. A GoFundMe for her family has raised over $65,000.