QuestionI have a friend who is pregnant. She thinks she concieved around July 13th. She has had a miscarraige, one birth but that baby died of sids, and she is having a c-section March 25th. (she has smoked cigarettes and pot through the pregnancy.) Her Doctor has changed her due date 3 times. First she was due April 16th, then changed it to April 1st and now March 25th. Why would a doctor change the date three times? She has told me that she talked the doctor into changing the date so the baby would be here earlier. And what could go wrong if she had the baby earlier than 39-40 weeks? Also, is there a chance this baby could die of SIDS also?
AnswerHi Anne,
I'm not sure why the doctor changed her due date - maybe from information obtained during an ultrasound. I've never heard of a doctor changing the date in order to help the mother have an earlier baby. That would open the doctor up to malpractice risks, and I can't see a doctor risking their career because a mother-to-be wanted her baby born sooner.
It's possible that she still has the April due date, but that the doctor scheduled the cesarean March 25, knowing the baby would be early. I don't know why he scheduled it then.
Your friend may be anxious because of her previous history and she might feel better having the baby out sooner. However, unless there is a medical reason for the early cesarean, she might want to think about waiting to schedule the cesarean.
Babies that are born at 37-38 weeks actually have a higher risk of dying during early infancy:
http://www.thefamilyway.com/home/archives/121
Also, the baby would have additional if born at 37-38 weeks, which include respiratory issues, learning and behavioral issues later on in life:
http://www.healthy.net/scr/News.aspx?Id=10264
It sounds like you are concerned about your friend and her baby, and it can be frustrating watching her make choices in her pregnancy and in her birth that aren't the best choices. And we don't know the real reason the doctor is recommending an early cesarean - there may be some medical issues going on that you aren't aware of.
If she wants to give her baby the best chance of avoiding unnecessary risks, her best bet would be to wait until closer to her due date to schedule the cesarean, or else wait for labor to start on its own and then go in for the cesarean (however,a lot of drs don't like doing that last one)
Especially since you suspect that there is not a medical reason for the cesarean, you can share the links, but in the end, she may likely make a decision that you feel isn't in the best interests of the baby. If she is a good friend, all you can do is support her and be there for her, even though you don't agree with her decisions.
Sincerely,
Dorothy H, LCCE
