List members may find this article from the AJOG interesting:
Toril Kolås, Ola D. Saugstad, Anne K. Daltveit, Stein T. Nilsen and Pål
Øian
Planned cesarean versus planned vaginal delivery at term: Comparison of
newborn infant outcomes. American Journal of Obstetric and Gynecology Vol
195 Issue 6 Pages 1538-1543.
Study design
Prospective study of neonatal outcomes after planned vaginal birth and
after planned cesarean section at term.
Findings
Compared with planned vaginal deliveries, planned cesarean delivery
increased transfer rates to the neonatal intensive care unit from 5.2% to
9.8% (P < .001). The risk for pulmonary disorders (transient tachypnoea of
the newborn infant and respiratory distress syndrome) rose from 0.8% to
1.6% (P = .01). There were no significant differences in the risks for low
Agar score and neurological symptoms.
Conclusion
Planned cesarean delivery doubled both the rate of transfer to the
neonatal intensive care unit and the risk for pulmonary disorders,
compared with a planned vaginal birth.
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