C-Section and childhood obesity

CMC2014 · September 2013

I am 21 weeks pregnant with my fourth child. My last child was delivered via c-section because of a breech position. As of now, I hopelessly deadlocked about whether to have a VBAC or another C-section. I have a cervical laceration as well as a recently healed tailbone fracture and I am concerned about having a VBAC. However, I am just as concerned about the c-section. I have been seeing a lot in the news about c-sections being linked to childhood obesity. This has really made me worry about a c-section. Unfortunately, this statistic hits close to home for me. My first two children are thin while my last child struggles with weight. It has been a very emotional experience for my child and that makes it a very painful one for me. Now, I realize that these statistics should be taken with a grain of salt. But, I am very curious to know if anyone else has had a similiar experience as a result of a c-section.

InLovewSB · September 2013

My kids are still pretty young, but neither one has a weight issue. Both were born via C section.

MrsHetzel · September 2013

I broke my pelvis and coccyx in 2 places 2 yrs & 2.5 months before my due date so I scheduled a csection. No way was I taking the chance of breaking those bones again and recovering with an infant to take care of. As for round 2, I will do a RCS again. VBAC carries so much risk to start with, and adding fractures in that area, the risk of severe injury just doesn't outweigh the fear of obesity to me. I also think you have more control over your child's chances of obesity versus controlling whether your bones rebreak.

EmR22 · September 2013

My DD2 was a c section and she is 50% for weight and my DD3 also a c section is only in the 8% percentile for weight. I would not base your decision on this seemingly weird statistic.

Brandyjean30 · September 2013

DD isn't very old yet (15 momths) but she was born in the 5th percentile and at her last appointment was only in the 40th for weight.

DonnaMartinGraduates · September 2013

I don't see how the method of birth correlates to weight of a child? Genetics plays a big part but so does level of physical activity and diet. Whether a child is birthed through the vagina or an incision in the abdomen shouldn't matter.

capulet · September 2013

I read a couple of those articles, and they mentioned that it's difficult to prove the link between c-sections and childhood obesity because mothers who are overweight are more likely to have c-sections anyway. The study in question showed a much weaker link between normal-weight mothers who had c-sections and childhood obesity.

My kids were born at average or, in DD's case, above average weight and started hewing toward the 10-25% range for weight around nine months to a year. This tendency has been especially pronounced for DD, who was almost eight pounds at birth and quickly rebounded to her birth weight after an initial loss, but by about 12 months was at a much lower percentile weight and only recently has started edging toward a more normal height/weight (both proportionately low until now). DH and I, by the way, have been or are moderately overweight (I've lost weight since I had DS and am at the high end of the normal BMI range now), so I am concerned about the potential for obesity in the future, but so far whatever combination of genetics/diet/exercise our kids have seems to be working out.

I understand your concerns, but there are so many possible factors that can contribute to childhood obesity, and with your circumstances you really need to take into account your own health as well. I don't know what the long-term consequences would be for you if a VBAC didn't go well, but if there's a significantly higher risk for you and that risk is entirely out of your control, then to me that would outweigh the possible but tenuous risk between c/s and childhood obesity, which may not be entirely within your control either, but which you can take positive steps to avert or alleviate.

SuperSecretStatus · September 2013

DD was born 7lbs 11oz, and at 3.5yrs old has been labeled FTT. She's just now holding at 30.6lbs and 36". I just can't see how there's a correlation there.

Shelly038 · September 2013

Just because there may be statistics that say more c-section babies are overweight, does not mean there is a causation link. I wouldn't let that effect my decision making at all. Our DD was a c-section birth and she is at about 90% but also 75% height. She's chubby but big overall as well. I really have a hard time being that there is any link between c-section and obesity.

magdalina.h · September 2013

I don't believe it at all. There are too many outside factors and it's just a coincidence that the kids were born via c/s

Disneygeek77 · September 2013

I have had three c/s with two surviving children and that hasn't been the case for me.

I kinda think the study was done for attention. Remember correlation does not equal causation.

emberlee3 · September 2013

I am sorry that your child struggles with weight. I doubt it is in any way related to the c-section. What on earth would be the explanation for a causal relationship between c-section and childhood obesity? Do what is best for your body and a safe delivery.

Chargersgrl33 · September 2013

Teach your children to eat the right foods, show them how to stay active, you won't have problems. I don't believe this study at all.

SuperSecretStatus · September 2013

Chargersgrl33 said:
Teach your children to eat the right foods, show them how to stay active, you won't have problems. I don't believe this study at all.

Unless your child has medical issues that interfere with that.

Ardmhs83 · September 2013

I don't believe this study at all! I'm a c section baby and a perfect weight...def far from being overweight! My son is a perfect weight as well. It is all about genetics and most importantly how you eat and exercise. I would not pick a c-section over a VBAC for this reason! If their is another medical reason, like you stated, that makes the VBAC more risky then I understand. Most of the time medical literature is saying that VBACs now are much safer than a RCS, in healthy, low risk pregnancies.

Chargersgrl33 · September 2013

Teach your children to eat the right foods, show them how to stay active, you won't have problems. I don't believe this study at all.

Unless your child has medical issues that interfere with that.

I guess...but you still need to teach your children to eat the right foods. If they can't stay active for medical reasons then that will be your saving grace. I still don't believe the study.

notkateanymore · October 2013

My 9 year old is a c/s baby and she has never been higher than 15% on the growth chart. The study sounds ridiculous.

Angel5218 · October 2013

I think the risk of childhood obesity is tied to the genetics of the parents and not b/c of the c/s itself. My son was a c-section (emergency) and he is only in the 20th percentile for weight. He is a bit taller, about average for his age, but he is a skinny guy and its not for lack of eating lol. I am not overweight and his dad is considered underweight for his height and always has been. Sure c/s kids can be overweight but I doubt its b/c of their method of birth.

liberty95 · October 2013

The thing is, researchers can make statistics say anything they want. Childhood obesity is an epidemic that stems from many other places besides birthing method. I would focus on proving a healthy balanced lifestyle for your children after you bring them into the world safely, whether that be a vaginal delivery or c-section.

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