Vim & Vigor - Spring 2013 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center - (Page 52)

LeT Nature Take ITs Course Why Ob-Gyns are urging moms to avoid the risky practice of elective labor induction W hen a woman finds out she is pregnant, it is often the happiest moment of her life. She feels an overwhelming joy that she is about to bring a little one into the world—as well as an overwhelming feeling about the many decisions she has to make. The decisions mom makes have a direct effect on the health and future of her baby. Every day in the womb is a gift. Babies need time in the womb to develop completely, and babies born prior to 39 weeks’ gestation have a greater risk for developing complications after birth, including shortterm and long-term disabilities. Labor InductIons on the rIse The rate of labor induction has doubled since 1990, and in 2006, 22 percent of all pregnant women had their labor induced, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The majority of obstetricians and gynecologists do not view favorably elective labor induction prior to 39 weeks to accommodate a busy schedule, the mother’s wish for the pregnancy to be over, or even vanity reasons (selecting a special birth date). Instead, more and more obstetricians and gynecologists are 52 Spring 2 013 By Somer overShon pushing for full-term deliveries and find that delivering at or after 39 weeks is beneficial to both mother and baby. “Inducing labor prior to a full-term pregnancy increases the risk of cesarean section for mom and neurological damage for baby,” says Tanvira Alam, D.O., an Ob-Gyn with Phelps County Regional Medical Center. “The goal for any induced labor is a vaginal delivery with a healthy baby, and elective induction may reduce the chance for both.” see It through to FuLL term Simply put, babies born prior to full term are not ready to be born, Dr. Alam says, and they have an increased risk of staying in the neonatal intensive care unit. Some of the most common complications for babies born too soon involve respiratory, feeding and neurological disabilities, and these disabilities can be short-term or long-term. “Giving birth is a natural, ancient process,” Dr. Alam says. “Women are made to give birth; the body does S prin g 201 3

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2013 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2013 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center
Contents
Opening Thoughts
Getting a Clear Picture
Stay in Rotation
Half-Century of Service
You’re the Star
Heart-to-Heart
Lighten Up!
Have No Fear
Work It!
Diane Keaton
What Are the Chances?
9 Symptoms Never to Ignore
When Allergies Attack
Virtual Health
Everyone Has a Story to Tell
Let Nature Take Its Course
Managing Menopause
Foundation
Auxiliary

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2013 - Phelps County Regional Medical Center