I’m working on an article about Transient Tachypnea – a terrible condition that can occur after birth where fluid remains in an infant’s lungs causing breathing difficulties. It is treatable, but it can fatal. This condition occurs more often when a c-section is performed because the infant’s torso isn’t squeezed during birth as it is during a vaginal birth and the infant’s lung function isn’t jump started by the hormone cocktail of a vaginal labor.
I came across this blog about a mourning mom who lost her baby to transient tachypnea. You can read her heart breaking personal story here. What is really upsetting is that the doctors and nurses describe this as a common condition. So common, in fact, no one bothered to tell her it was a risk. And that isn’t a fluke – I casually surveyed 10 VBAC moms, and NONE of them had heard of this condition or had been advised, during their first birth (a c-section), that transient trachypnea could occur.
It’s easy to find any multitude of reports and papers citing uterine rupture as a huge risk to VBAC candidates (which carries a 0.5% and 0.9% risk according to the ACOG). Type uterine rupture into any search engine and you’ll have pages and pages of sources stating a 1% risk of uterine rupture for VBAC candidates. But finding the risk rate for transient tachypnea after cesarean delivery is another story…. Not surprising, given the current environment of vbac support in the medical industry…
Lots of resources describe a general increased risk of breathing problems for the infant of a c-section birth… And many organizations name transient tachypnea in particular ( mayoclinic, childbirth.org, about.com). But the hard numbers for transient tachypnea are not as prominent as those of a uterine rupture. Why? Here is my current hypothesis:
Numbers and specifics are black and white. They create a tangible and comparable fact. Generalizations are gray. Let’s experiment, imagine you are discussing the risks of a vbac and cesarean with your doctor….
“1% of all trial of labors will result in a uterine rupture.” and “Transient tachypnea is a risk of cesarean deliver, but the risk is very small.”
Take a moment to examine which statement has a stronger effect on you. Now let’s switch it.
“1% of all cesarean delivered babies will have transient tachypnea.” and “Uterine rupture is a risk of a trial of labor, but the risk is very small.”
Powerful, isn’t it?
VBAC Community 
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