Does a caesarean section at 38 weeks have any effect on the fetus?

Caesarean section is a more popular method of delivery in modern times. This method of delivery does not cause obvious pain to pregnant women and is easier to restore the body functions of pregnant women. Generally speaking, it can also effectively reduce the risk of childbirth for pregnant women. Therefore, many people choose to have a cesarean section. So, does a cesarean section at 38 weeks have any effect on the fetus?

Does a caesarean section at 38 weeks have any effect on the baby?

At 37 weeks of pregnancy, the baby is already fully developed, which is considered full-term in clinical medicine. Therefore, there is no risk in delivering the baby by caesarean section at 38 weeks. Normally, by 38 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus is already mature. Although 38 weeks is considered full-term pregnancy, the fetus may be found to be immature. Therefore, experts recommend that pregnant women choose a cesarean section after 38 weeks, and 40 weeks of full-term pregnancy is even better. Pregnant women who undergo cesarean section may experience complications such as bleeding and shock during the operation. Most of the bleeding is caused by suture needle breaking blood vessels or ligation falling off. For this kind of bleeding, ligation surgery should be performed again. For sick cows with bleeding in the needle hole or part of the suture after suture, adrenaline can be locally dripped to promote blood circulation. Endometrial bleeding is a key cause of postoperative adhesions. However, the cause of shock during surgery may be the sudden drop in intra-abdominal pressure and internal bleeding after the fetus is delivered. Once signs of shock appear (such as coma, rapid and shallow breathing, pale conjunctivitis, cold ears and nose, etc.), emergency rescue measures should be adopted, and adrenaline and vasoconstrictors can be injected intramuscularly. Intravenous infusion, especially the supplement of calcium ions, is more beneficial to saving the patient's life. Regardless of choosing any delivery method such as natural birth or cesarean section, pregnant women need to consider their own safety, follow the doctor's advice, and choose the method that best suits their own situation for delivery. They should not blindly follow others and cause greater harm to the fetus and themselves.

Caesarean section application scope

Fetal distress can occur at any stage of pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters and after pregnancy. There are many reasons for fetal distress, such as the umbilical cord around the neck, poor placental function, ingestion of meconium, or the pregnant woman's own complications such as high blood pressure, diabetes, preeclampsia, etc.

In most cases of fetal distress, abnormal fetal heartbeat can be seen on the fetal monitor, or abnormal changes in fetal blood can be seen on ultrasound. If there is no improvement after emergency treatment by the doctor, a caesarean section should be performed to quickly remove the fetus to avoid life-threatening situations.

Delayed labor refers to a prolonged labor process, which has a very clear definition and classification in obstetrics. Generally, the time it takes for the cervix to dilate varies from person to person, but the average time it takes for the cervix to dilate for primiparas is longer than that for multiparas, taking 14 to 16 hours. If it lasts more than 20 hours, it is called a slow labor process. Pregnant women who encounter this kind of situation suffer the most, because the pain has lasted for a period of time, so they have to change to a caesarean section. Therefore, they have to experience both prenatal labor pain and postoperative pain, a total of two times.