Warning: More Debates on Delivery (X-Posted from FB 6th August 2013)

Warning: More Debates on Delivery
As you know, we were notified yesterday that the OB concurs with my US OB(s) that a c- section is medically necessary. The response has been good but wondering why the OB would deliver nearly a month early?!

Good question.

I read yesterday that labour can occur naturally starting at 37 weeks or rather is likely to be between 37 and 42. At 37 weeks, a baby is considered full term and if healthy and well progressed, expected to thrive normally.

That made sense. Being new to this, I would have no reason to question that.

But then it was suggested that delivery between 37 and 39 weeks is too early. Our prospective doula advised she would share some further research so we can ask well informed questions when we see our OB the 19th.

I myself haven’t found any articles to suggest risking labour and rupture by waiting the additional two weeks. I have found recent articles now suggesting babies born at 37 weeks score lower in math than babies born closer to their due date. But there may be more compelling research. I don’t know.

Like Ken put it so aptly, “we know sod all about babies.”

I am going to ask the OB the risks and benefits of an early delivery. GI Joe, the more you know, knowledge is power, etc.

In the end, I am guided (misguided?) by a good natured and well meaning desire to do what’s right. I don’t want to put our baby at risk if it seems selfish for me not to want to have a ruptured uterus and possibly require a hysterectomy at the cost of our babies brain development or overall health.

I sound like a loon. But a caring loon. And a control freak. But if I didn’t get involved, odds were good we wouldn’t be pregnant. And I wouldn’t have known my thyroid disease had flared up and our baby might have suffered. I just want to be sure that the upcoming choices I make are in ALF’s best interest.

But I do feel like I am infected with the crazy.