Finally It’s Out – This Customary Practice Among Obstetricians is Negligent Practice
Every Certified Legal Nurse Consultant knows that customary practice can actually be negligent practice. It turns out that nothing is more evident of customary, negligent practice than medically unnecessary C-sections (also known as “early elective delivery”).
According to new definitions published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology and endorsed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, a pregnancy is “full term” only in the narrow two-week window that runs from 39-40 weeks. This undercuts conventional wisdom of the gray-haired experts who recommended births anytime between 37-42 weeks. According to ACOG and SMFM, babies born within the new two week window do better than babies born two weeks before or one week after that window – in other words, “early term” or “late term.”
This is an important change and should help eliminate unnecessary and potentially harmful C-sections done for the doctor’s or mother’s convenience. It’s long been known that early elective delivery babies face higher incidence of breathing and feeding problems as well as a higher risk of death.
Finally we have a change in standards indicating that this long-standing, customary practice is indeed negligent and dangerous practice – a fact that Certified Legal Nurse Consultants have known for quite some time.
I’m Just Sayin’
P.S.Comment here and share your opinions on other customary practices that are negligent practice.
2 thoughts on “Finally It’s Out – This Customary Practice Among Obstetricians is Negligent Practice”
No elective deliveries prior to 39 weeks gestation is the best evidenced-based practice. However, pregnancies exceeding 40 weeks should be closely monitored by non-stress testing or biophysical profile. At the end of the day, all we want is a healthy mom and a healthy baby.
Obviously, this would include not only early elective C-section deliveries, but early induction of labor for vaginal delivery without medical justification.
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No elective deliveries prior to 39 weeks gestation is the best evidenced-based practice. However, pregnancies exceeding 40 weeks should be closely monitored by non-stress testing or biophysical profile. At the end of the day, all we want is a healthy mom and a healthy baby.
Obviously, this would include not only early elective C-section deliveries, but early induction of labor for vaginal delivery without medical justification.