Is c-section for the better

Iam 35 weeks preg and my lil one has gastroschisis,, w/ 1/3 of her intestines on the outside,,,,iam wondering if  she"d have a better surgery if i was to get a c-section ,,,,,or would it even matter???would her intestines swell up w/ vaginal birth???

[Mark P Johnson, MD]

We recommend vaginal delivery for babies with gastroschisis unless there is an obstetrical contraindication such as breech presentation. The process of vaginal delivery will not injure the bowel further, is safer for you and has a faster recovery time and actually has physiologic benefits to the baby as far as lung function goes. However, many babies with gastroschisis are fairly stressed by the time they get to labor, and close fetal heart rate monitoring starting as soon as you begin labor or arrive at the hospital is important in deciding if the baby will tolerate the labor and delivery process or whether they are already struggling and need to be delivered by cesarean as they would not tolerate labor. Best of luck with your upcoming delivery.