News Moms Need

Nope.  Sometimes genetics plays a part (for example, you and your mom both have a uniquely shaped uterus, a liver disease, diabetes or high blood pressure), but usually your mom’s birthing history will not impact yours. 

C-section, or cesarean delivery, can be a lifesaving operation when either you or your baby face certain problems before or during labor and delivery. Read more about reasons for cesarean section and watch our videos at this link.   Many women who deliver surgically never planned to do so, but an emergency made it necessary.  Some health care experts, however, believe that other, non-emergent c-sections are not medically necessary. A cesarean section is major surgery and should be done only when the health of the mother or baby is at risk.  Even if you had your first baby via cesarean delivery, you may or may not need to deliver a second baby that way. It all depends on the reasons for performing the first cesarean and how the incisions were placed in your body.  It’s important to discuss this with your health care provider before your next birth experience.

Did you know? Women who have a c-section are more likely to develop a postpartum infection than women who have a vaginal delivery.

A new study from Denmark looked at the records of over 30,000 women who had given birth. Those who had a c-section were at increased risk of having a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a wound infection within the first 30 days after delivery. (A wound infection affects the area where the incision was made.) Other studies have also found an increased risk of infection after cesarean.

So if you have a c-section, be on the alert for these signs:

* For a UTI, watch for pain or burning when you go to the bathroom, blood in your urine, fever and the urge to go often.

* For  wound infection, watch for redness, swelling or pus around the incision site. Sometimes, the wound may open, and you may run a fever.

For more information, read the March of Dimes article on cesarean birth. Or watch our video C-Section: Recovering After Surgery.

Many, many moms ask this question. So you’re in a big club!

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, many women who have had a c-section can safely have a vaginal birth the next time.

But as Time magazine recently pointed out, finding a health care provider to deliver the baby the old-fashioned way can be challenging.

If you’re interested in delivering vaginally after c-section, talk to your health care provider early. Learn about the risks and benefits of both types of delivery.

If you’ve had a vaginal birth after c-section, or if you wanted to, please tell us about your experience.

For more about c-section for medical reasons, read the March of Dimes article.

More and more women are having scheduled deliveries these days. It may be convenient for the mom and the doc. But if the delivery is too early, the baby could have problems.

Babies delivered by c-section before 39 weeks are at increased risk of breathing problems, infection, and admission to an intensive care unit. These were the findings of a new study published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers looked at “elective” c-sections; that means there was no medical reason to deliver the baby early.

As you think about your delivery, remember it’s best if babies are born full-term, not early. For more info, listen to the the podcast Scheduling Baby’s Birthday by Dr. Alan Fleischman, medical director of the March of Dimes. Or read Cesarean Section by Request on our Web site.

Some women feel like they want to have another baby within a few months of delivering their first.  Others take more of a “Do this again - are you out of your mind?” stance.  Most of us who do go on to try for another child fall somewhere in between.  There is no right or wrong time to have another child but, aside from all the practical and financial issues, there are certain health concerns that point to an optimum spacing.

Several studies indicate that conceiving less than 18 months since the birth of your last child can increase the risk of having a low birthweight baby or delivering prematurely.  Your body may not have had time to completely recover and rebuild depleted stores of energy and nutrients until then.  This is especially true if your last delivery was cesarean.  Some studies show that conceiving in less than six months after delivery also can increase a woman’s risk for maternal complications, such as anemia and bleeding in the third trimester.

While 18 months to two years may be the optimal spacing, we understand that not all women can wait 18 months before trying for another child.  Speak with your health care provider about your overall health and what’s a good time for you.