I hope this is in the right place.
A co-worker of mine and his fiance just had their first child together today, his first, her third. When we were all making guesses about when the baby would be born (several weeks ago) he told me that but a c-section had been scheduled for today "unless she goes into labor before then." I'm not sure what her actual due date was (they would only tell me the scheduled c-section date). I didn't ask why the section, I don't know him that well yet and didn't want to seem too nosy. He did say that the baby had been measuring small, but that they were both perfectly healthy, no apparent complications.
SO, the baby is born by c-section this morning as scheduled, apparently with no signs of labor beginning. He is just over 6 pounds, which in my understanding is not that big, and they tell the parents "He has a little fluid in his lungs which is common with c-sections, so we'll keep him in the NICU for an hour or two." (Is fluid in the lungs really common for c-sections? I have no idea.)
The dad calls back later to tell us that it won't be an hour or two in the NICU, it will be a WEEK or two! They misjudged her dates and the baby was no more than 37 weeks, wasn't producing surfactant in his lungs and was on a ventilator! The doctors said he definitely wasn't ready to be born yet.
I feel so sad for them, and for the baby. I get the impression that they just did what the doctors told them and didn't question anything, and are a bit angry that the doctors caused this "major screw up." I agree, this was a big screw up! I am more committed now than ever to not allow induction or c-section without some obvious reason for it when I have a child, and definitely not based only on dates. Why would a doctor schedule a c-section (weeks ago!) when they KNEW the baby was smaller than expected but still growing at a normal rate?
I guess I don't really have a question or anything, just wanted to share this.
A co-worker of mine and his fiance just had their first child together today, his first, her third. When we were all making guesses about when the baby would be born (several weeks ago) he told me that but a c-section had been scheduled for today "unless she goes into labor before then." I'm not sure what her actual due date was (they would only tell me the scheduled c-section date). I didn't ask why the section, I don't know him that well yet and didn't want to seem too nosy. He did say that the baby had been measuring small, but that they were both perfectly healthy, no apparent complications.
SO, the baby is born by c-section this morning as scheduled, apparently with no signs of labor beginning. He is just over 6 pounds, which in my understanding is not that big, and they tell the parents "He has a little fluid in his lungs which is common with c-sections, so we'll keep him in the NICU for an hour or two." (Is fluid in the lungs really common for c-sections? I have no idea.)
The dad calls back later to tell us that it won't be an hour or two in the NICU, it will be a WEEK or two! They misjudged her dates and the baby was no more than 37 weeks, wasn't producing surfactant in his lungs and was on a ventilator! The doctors said he definitely wasn't ready to be born yet.
I feel so sad for them, and for the baby. I get the impression that they just did what the doctors told them and didn't question anything, and are a bit angry that the doctors caused this "major screw up." I agree, this was a big screw up! I am more committed now than ever to not allow induction or c-section without some obvious reason for it when I have a child, and definitely not based only on dates. Why would a doctor schedule a c-section (weeks ago!) when they KNEW the baby was smaller than expected but still growing at a normal rate?
I guess I don't really have a question or anything, just wanted to share this.
I saw some pictures and he is just adorable! The dad seemed not-too-concerned today, so I'm guessing they'll probably just chalk it up to "one of those things" and go on with their lives. As long as they're happy and the baby is healthy and happy, I guess that's for the best!
