-=> Quoting Carol Shenkenberger to Nancy Backus on 02-11-07  16:45 <=-

 NB>>recent surge in the 14-16ish mothers lately, though... and those are
 NB>>certainly treated now as high-risk births, just because the mom is so
 NB>>young... with a corresponding higher risk for a possible section.

 CS> True.  One part is a girl of 14 just doesnt have the fuller hip growth
 CS> right?  That comes out in final form about 17 or so?
 
That's generally true.  Of course, there are some young ladies that are
pretty well fully mature at an earlier age.  Yes, the hip development is
one of the major factors, and one that would affect risk/need for a
C-section.  I think there may also be a further hormonal development
that occurs and makes it more likely that the baby would be properly
nourished in utero without putting the young mother at as much risk
nutritionally herself.

 CS> Sure.  Vaginal delivery is best whenever possible.  Less risky for the
 CS> mother.  True 'natural' I guess is without painkillers and at home?

And with family around...  :)

 CS> Nothing wrong with that but if there is a complication, can be awkward
 CS> in the extreme as they may not be able to get the mother to the
 CS> hospital very fast?   I suppose it would depend on the knowledge level
 CS> of those around assisting.  A good mid-wife would presumably be able
 CS> to tell if there was a problem that needed the mother to get to the
 CS> hospital.

Nowadays, if one is considering a home birth, it must be with a good
midwife in attendence, with medical backup already set in place for a
contingency plan.  My sister planned home births for the last 4 of her
6... only one actually happened at home.  The first one, the midwife got
concerned during labor, and all was moved to the nearby hospital labor
floor.  The second one happened at home as planned.  The third one,
again, the midwife decided that she should go to the hospital before the
labor was over.  The final time, my sister developed pre-eclamsia, so
was hospitalized for a few days even before labor started.  That time,
it was a very good thing that they were in the hospital already, as the
infant went into fetal distress during the later stages of labor, and an
emergency C-section was performed, quite successfully.  Had that not
been the last pregnancy my sister carried to term, she might well have
(probably would have) tried again for a home birth...  :)

If the mother is already considered high-risk for any reason, it's
highly unlikely that a planned home birth would be given an ok.  The
"whoops, here's the baby already" type, though, is a different story
altogether!    Our pastor's last baby was of the latter type... they
were getting ready to get in the car to go to the hospital, when she got
this very strange expression on her face, and he was just in time to
catch the baby as he came out!  Just then the friend who was going to
stay with the other kids arrived, and she called 911.  They rode in
style to the hospital...   Mother, baby and Dad all were fine... and
the little one is now just about 2... :)

ttyl        neb

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