Pregnancy, Parenthood & Playtime

Back in January I read an article in the Washington Post about the decrease in birth weights in the United States in the past two decades, and how it is basically mind boggling because of the rise of diabetes, and other complications during pregnancy that may aid in making larger babies. But for someone who pays attention to the birth trends in this country, I was not surprised at all. I thought to myself “We are finally realizing this?”

“U.S. newborns are arriving a little smaller, says puzzling new Harvard research that can’t explain why. Fatter mothers tend to produce heavier babies, and obesity is soaring. Yet the study of nearly 37 million births shows newborns were a bit lighter in 2005 than in 1990, ending a half-century of rising birth weights.”

A couple things I think attribute to this problem :

• The increase in labor induction for non medical reasons before estimated due dates
• The scheduled cesareans before 40 weeks gestation
• The inaccuracy of estimated due dates
• The lack of access to appropriate pre natal care

It is estimated that 1/3 of elective or scheduled cesarean births are scheduled, or delivered before 39 weeks gestation, meaning those babies could very well be born as early at 35 or 36 weeks gestation, depending on the accuracy of their estimated due date. Recent studies on ultrasound dating for pregnancies still show a large window for error, even first trimester ultrasounds which are supposed to be the most accurate in dating a pregnancy, show to be 7-10 full days off in some cases. Those 7 to 10 days, could very well the difference between a baby with mature lungs and going home with their parents, and a late term preemie who has a stay in the NICU.

From 1996 to the present we have seen a 20% increase in women electing for scheduled cesarean’s after having one cesarean birth.

Money is another factor in this equation. We are seeing many medical choices today being made for monetary and liability reasons, not because they are best for the baby, and mother. We saw this in detail from the National Institute of Health’s VBAC Panel statement this past week.
Hospitals are businesses no matter how we look at it.
Adding pitocin, constant monitoring, an epidural, or surgical costs to a bill is going to benefit the hospital in an increase of the bill when compared to a mother who wishes to have a birth without these types of interventions.