Why Are Newborns Delivered by Cesarean Section at Higher Risk?

Why Are Newborns Delivered by Cesarean Section at Higher Risk?

Natural vaginal childbirth is an essential physiological process for human reproduction. Cesarean section is only considered as a last resort for cases of difficult labor, severe high-risk pregnancies, and the need to terminate pregnancies. In the 1980s and 1990s, China's cesarean section rate increased from less than 5% in the 1960s to 40%. However, this rise did not significantly reduce neonatal mortality rates. This strongly indicates that cesarean section is not an effective measure for lowering neonatal mortality rates and cannot guarantee the safe delivery of infants. Claims that babies born via cesarean section are smarter than those born through natural childbirth are baseless.

What are the differences between cesarean section and natural vaginal childbirth? Cesarean section involves the passive removal of the fetus from the incised uterus, while during vaginal childbirth, under the regulation of neural and fluid factors, the fetus is subjected to the effects of uterine contractions and appropriate physical tension within the birth canal. The rhythmic compression of the fetal head and chest and abdominal regions expels approximately 1/3 to 2/3 of fetal airway fluids. When born, the fetus's airway is under negative pressure, allowing easy inhalation of external air. Cesarean section lacks this process, leading to fluid retention in the airways, increased airway resistance, reduced lung capacity, and compromised ventilation and gas exchange. Consequently, it can result in asphyxia, hypoxia, and in severe cases, increased pulmonary vascular resistance leading to sustained oxygen deprivation in infants. Cesarean section poses risks not only for mothers but also for the safety of newborns, notably manifesting as the "cesarean section baby syndrome." This syndrome primarily involves respiratory system complications in cesarean-delivered babies, such as asphyxia, wet lung syndrome, meconium aspiration, atelectasis, and respiratory distress syndrome, posing severe threats to their health and lives.

There are no significant differences in physical and intellectual development between infants born via cesarean section and those born through natural vaginal delivery. However, the long-term prognosis for cesarean-delivered infants is concerning. They may exhibit proprioception and body schema deficits, which can lead to spatial awareness problems, reduced attention span, hyperactivity, and sensory integration disorders affecting activities like reading, writing, and sports. Cesarean-delivered infants tend to have lower levels of blood immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM), complement C3, and alternative pathway factor B compared to vaginal-delivered infants, indicating compromised immune function and a higher susceptibility to infections. Research indicates a higher likelihood of cesarean-delivered infants developing pneumonia. Clinical data also suggest an increased probability of allergies, especially in cesarean-delivered infants with a family history of allergies, which may be more than tripled.

Furthermore, whether performed under general or epidural anesthesia, cesarean sections can lead to blood pressure drops and supine positional shock, causing intrauterine ischemia and hypoxia in fetuses. Sedatives administered during surgery can suppress fetal respiration and lead to poor post-birth responses. Excessive intravenous glucose infusion during cesarean section can cause hyperglycemia in infants, and upon birth, they may experience rebound hypoglycemia. Improper surgical techniques during cesarean section can lead to difficulties in fetal delivery, potentially inducing intracranial hemorrhage. Initiating fetal breathing during cesarean section increases the risk of inhaling amniotic fluid and mucus. Inadequate traction on the fetus can result in complications such as fetal skull, femur, or humerus fractures.

If antibiotics are used prophylactically during cesarean section, they can enter the newborn's body, disrupting the establishment of normal post-birth respiratory and digestive system microbial flora. Consequently, respiratory infections and digestive disturbances are more likely during infancy. Austrian and American scientists have even discovered that cesarean section could alter human genes. They suggest that if large-headed infants survive to adulthood instead of dying from obstructed labor as in history, their offspring are more likely to inherit the large-headed gene, thus perpetuating it across generations. In summary, for healthy mothers, opting for vaginal childbirth and avoiding cesarean section whenever possible is a scientifically prudent choice.