Asthma & C-sections

I have read babies taken by c-sections EARLY (prior to full term) CAN have an elevated risk of asthma. There hasn't been any thorough studies done, so right now it's just a possible link. Which, kind of means nothing. The largest study done, is referenced here: http://www.hcplive.com/articles/C-section-Babies-Have-Inc...

This part is particularly interesting: "The researchers suggest, however, that c-sections themselves are unlikely to be the direct cause of asthma. Instead, they propose, children who are born via c-section may have underlying risk factors for asthma such as altered bacterial flora in the intestine that affects immune system development."

That's news to me....Both my babies were c-sections and do not have asthma. My stepdaughter was a vaginal birth and has no asthma. My husband was a vaginal birth and has asthma. I was a c-section and do not have asthma.

I don't know if the way you came into this world has anything to do with asthma, as it is genetic, as well as environmental, but who knows with all the new studies they do.

Respiratory issues (not asthma specifically) & csects are linked statistically BECAUSE of the large number of preterm births that happen via csects (emergency basis, or planned multiples) and IMMATURE lungs.

That's the vital point.

Sort of like saying that toothpaste causes red hair, because moms of redheads use toothpaste. Or that sick people take pills, if I don't take pills I songs get sick.

Reverse logic, or info missing parts (like preemies, or what the stats are for asthma from vaginal births)... Doesn't paint a complete picture. But it sure sounds good. (Hence also the autism scare, that black people can't swim, that ... Pick any kind of reverse or skewed logic).

A STATISTICAL CORRELATION is completely and totally different from CAUSAL EFFECT. Or everyone would have red hair.

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(My son has asthma and other respiratory issues. Vaginal birth. BUT even though he's 10 new pulmonologists always want to know about his birth. WHY? Because if he had premature lungs, was on a ventilator, on certain meds... Those things predict future respiratory problems. Which is pretty 'duh'. Born with massive pulmonary problems, has breathing problems later. BUT also not always true. Lots and lots of preemies or NICU full term babies go on to be 100% healthy. He was 100% healthy at birth, and developed yhese problems later. It just helps paint a full picture.))

I personally think asthma is more hereditary. Between my sister and I, there are 3 csection babies, none with asthma.
No one in our family on either sides have it.
My husbands side doesn't have it either.
My husband and I both grew up in smoking homes also.

I have asthma and I had a C-section with fraternal twins. One has asthma and one does not. I suspect there is more a genetic disposition involved than what delivery method was used.

I was a vaginal birth, and I have Asthma.

My kids were born via C-Section, and they do not have Asthma.

There is no absolute or guarantee in these things.
Many factors, cause it or not, in each individual.
If it were so absolute, then EVERYONE across the board who was born via C-Section, would have Asthma.

Yes, I have heard this, but don't know how common it is. My son was a c-section and does have asthma; however, so does my husband so heredity certainly plays a role in that case.

My daughter was also a c-section and she's too little to tell (23 months). However, my son had some symptoms already at this age and she doesn't, so we're crossing our fingers.

I have heard that there is a benefit to going through the birth canal and "squeezing" out fluids. But not sure how it relates to asthma. My brother and I both have it and we were vaginal births!

All my 3 kids were born by c-sections and none of them have asthma. My husband was born premature(born by c-section) weighting about 2 pounds and he had asthma when he was little but out grew it as he got older. All my kids have allergies because myself and my husband has allergies and it runs in the family. I think its gentic if anything with the asthma.

The fluid part is true. But as far as asthma goes, I don't really believe that. I think that someone can be predisposed to it and then that compounds the issue, but I don't think c-sections cause asthma.

This is pretty well known and accepted amongst the medical community, though it's not discussed much with pregnant parents, I think. A baby born by c-section has a higher chance of respiratory ailments and asthma. There is also the matter of the bacteria that a baby is exposed to when born vaginally--these may also play a part in the lower risk of asthma for vaginally birthed babies versus c-section babies.

That being said, asthma also has a lot of other factors that can contribute to it, such as a family history of allergies and eczema.

Yes, I've read that too. However, that is just one part of why a person would have asthma. Being born by C-section certainly does not mean that the baby will have asthma. You can probably find the information on the Internet. I'll try looking. Looked using asthma and c-section. Found several sites. Here is one. http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/12/02/us-asthma-caesa...

my asthma was caused by an allergic reaction to cigarette smoke. so i doubt it. just my .02...

I was born naturally and have it and my kids were born by c-section have it. I don't know if they are tied or not. My mom tried to get me to have my second son naturally cause it was "better" for him. But she never said why.

Yes and chiropractic care can help!

I've never heard that. My siblings and myself (total of 3), both my kids, one of my SILs and my BFFs three kids were all delivered by c/s. None of them have asthma.

Asthma is not a disease... it is a symptom. Treat the underlying cause and you typically lose the asthma. Most often the underlying cause is allergies.

I haven't. My oldest has asthma and was a full term vaginal birth. His is due to his allergies. My youngest was 37 week c-sect and has no issues with allergies or asthma. I think it depends on alot of factors - allergies, family heredity, was it a pre-term birth, etc.