What are the pros and cons of ELCS vs vaginal delivery on baby's health?

[shabbychic1]

I'm probably having an ELCS. But I was wondering, what were you told about the pros and cons of ELCS vs vaginal delivery on baby's health?

NICE guidelines are good for this. Read appendix c

Slighly higher risk of NICU/SCBU admission for ELCS (13.9% for ELCS babies v 6.9% for planned vaginal birth babies)

No difference in brain damage due to oxygen deprivation (HIE), bleeding in the brain or breathing problems at birth.

Conflicting evidence about neonatal death (1 study said more in ELCS, 1 study said more for planned vaginal birth), and having a low APGAR score (again conflicting research)

In short, very marginal differences for babies. There's a lot of research being done on stuff like the 'microbiome' and whether babies born by ELCS have any effects from being born in a sterile environment etc but there is absolutely nothing conclusive yet.

Thanks Hiding, I'll look at th NICE guidelines too. I read about seeding but it's very inconclusive with possibly more cons than pros at the moment. BF seems the safer way(if poss!).

Mmmminx- that's true. OP - it can be countered by a 'gentle section'. Breathing difficulties is the main reason there are more NICU/SCUBU admissions with sections. However babies with known issues are born by c section so it's possible that this could account for a large portion of the seeming increase in admissions.

Google 'microbirth'. It is a study about long term health outcomes after lscs.

Mrspatrick interesting. Thanks