Iatrogenic prematurity, have you heard of this?

[onemummmy]

hope this is in the right spot
I was just wondering how many women have heard of this and what do you think? Iatrogenic prematurity is basically doctor caused prematurity due to induction or csection for "convenience" of the mother or doctor and the 'due dates' being incorrect, resulting in a pre term or early baby needing special care.
I only just learned of this recently, didnt even know it had a name Personally I cannot understand convenience based inductions/csections at all, I think its selfish to remove a baby from their mother before the baby is ready and without any medical reason.
I have read of many babies who are born too early because of incorrect due dates and needing special care, its such a shame, just because the doctor will be on holiday or the mum is 'over being pregnant' or 'husband will be at work on the due date'
anyways, what do you think?

[only1mica]

I didnt realise that it had a name but I am with you...I cant understand any of it.
Baby will come when it is good and ready. If there is no real medical reason best place for a baby to be is in mums tum.

[naiwen]

I have seen babies in special care due to this reason, made me angry when some of us would have done anything to have our babies go to term.

[SPC]

It's not that common, but does happen, especially with 37 week elective c-sections. Some babies would have stayed in there until 42 weeks, so they are early for them. I know women who had elective c-sections because their partner was going off to war etc and they wanted them there for the birth, but also some whose doctors insisted on specific dates because they were off to the Bahamas.
The main problem is TTN; transient tachypnoea of the newborn; their chest doesn't get a good squeeze as it should coming through the birth canal and so their lungs are a bit wet and they have respiratory distress for a few days. But then there are often feeding problems if they are too sleepy to latch on properly and milk supply problems because retained placenta bits secrete hormones that suppress milk supply.
However, if a woman has pre-eclampsia, or cancer or has had an accident then the baby is delivered regardless of gestation. And some women can't go into labour because they are at risk of uterine rupture, but on the whole I think that c-sections should be delayed until at least 38 weeks and women shouldn't be forced into early deliveries to suit doctors schedules.

[Shajbm]

I agree, and I too have seen babies born earlier than should be due to other non medical issues.

Matthew and Ben were born at 32 weeks and we're lucky they hung on till then.