On August 13, the National Children's Hospital informed that at the 2-day Newborn Neonatal Center, who had a cesarean section at the 37th week as requested by the family, he had respiratory failure immediately after birth, had to take oxygen and be transferred to the emergency room.
When admitted to the hospital, the child was in a state of recurrent purple, severe circulatory failure, and was diagnosed with severe increased pulmonary artery pressure. Although doctors tried to resuscitate him with mechanical ventilation, surfactants and iNO, the child's condition did not improve and he did not survive.
Choosing a cesarean section time is to determine the time for cesarean section based on beliefs, feng shui or the desire to bring good luck to the child. However, according to the Ministry of Health, in 2022, the surgical birth rate in Vietnam will account for nearly 37% of total births, with some hospitals reaching 50-60%, much higher than the recommendation of 10-15% by the World Health Organization (WHO). Overusing cesarean section, especially for the reason of choosing the time, is increasing the risk of complications for both mother and baby.
Doctors at the Neonatal Center advise that childbirth is often the best and most natural method for mother and baby, and cesarean section should only be performed when there are clear medical instructions. However, many families are currently choosing to proactively have a cesarean section when their mother has not shown any signs of labor to choose a good day and time, hoping that their child will have good luck and favorable conditions in the future. This option has many potential risks, even threatening the lives of both mother and newborn.
Giving birth often helps mothers recover quickly, reducing the risk of blood loss, inflammation, early milk secretion and saving costs. For the baby, the uterine contraction during labor helps push mucus out of the lungs, reducing the risk of respiratory failure, while helping the baby receive a beneficial microbiome from the mother, supporting immunity and digestion. Babies are also more likely to get skin-matched and breastfeeding early, increasing cohesion and comprehensive development.
