X
TAP top app download banner
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product Guide
Sign in
  • Money Tips
    • Savings
    • Insurance
    • Loans
    • Investments
    • Government Benefits
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
    • COVID-19
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping

Planning an early birth might cause developmental problems for your baby

4 min read
Planning an early birth might cause developmental problems for your baby

A study has shown that children of parents who scheduled a birth before 39-40 weeks have a higher risk of having developmental problems later on

According to a recent study, planning an early birth for your baby might give them developmental problems.

The chances are further increased with planned early C-sections

The study, done at the University of Sydney in New South Wales said that babies that were born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are more likely to have developmental problems later on in life. 37 weeks is generally considered “full term” in medical science.

Premature births have been known to cause developmental problems, but because some parents choose to plan an early birth, such as with C-sections, the chances are further increased.

The study analyzed 153,730 infants who were born after 32 weeks. The researches then found out that 9.6% of those who were born early suffered from developmental issues at school age. Jason Bentley, lead author for the study, recommends that parents should go for 39 weeks if they wish to plan their child’s birth.

There is an increasing trend of planned early births

Generally, C-sections are usually done if it’s a complicated birth or if the baby or the mother is at risk. If parents would choose to have a C-section for a non-medical reason, then doctors are advised to inform them to wait until the 39th or 40th week.

The study adds more reason for parents to forego an early birth in favor of a later one. Most doctors would actually recommend prolonging the pregnancy for as long as possible since a longer gestational period is better for newborns

Dr. Siobhan Dolan from Montefiore Medical Center in New York chimed in and said, “If you are having a healthy pregnancy, it is best to wait for labor to start on its own and if you are being induced or having a cesarean section – wait until at least 39 weeks.”

“If you have a pregnancy complication – you may need to be delivered before 39 weeks – so talk to you doctor to understand the risks and benefits,” Dolan adds.

Go to the next page to learn more about scheduling your child’s birth.

Partner Stories
Kids at risk of stunting? This Growth Calculator can help moms find out plus predict their future height!
Kids at risk of stunting? This Growth Calculator can help moms find out plus predict their future height!
Four Findings Every Parent Should Know About Brain Development
Four Findings Every Parent Should Know About Brain Development
From Past to Present: How NIDO® 3+’s “You're My #1” Song Connects #1Moms and Their Toddlers
From Past to Present: How NIDO® 3+’s “You're My #1” Song Connects #1Moms and Their Toddlers
5 Tips To Challenge Your Child For His All-Around Development
5 Tips To Challenge Your Child For His All-Around Development

Why should I wait as long as possible to give birth?

Waiting until your due date has a lot of benefits not only for your baby, but also for you as well. Here are just some of the reasons why it’s best to choose to give birth on or after your due date:

  1. It poses a huge risk for babies. Babies that are born before the regular 39 weeks of gestation are usually taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
  2. Bigger is better. The longer your child stays in your tummy, the bigger they’ll grow. Bigger babies are healthier as they can regulate their bodily functions better since they’re more mature.
  3. The brain develops better. Did you know that a baby’s brain at 35 weeks weighs only 2/3 of what a 40 week old baby’s brain weighs? This means that your baby’s brain will be better developed if you choose to deliver at 40 weeks.
  4. Early births can cause breathing problems. The lungs are the last organs to mature in a baby. That’s why babies that are born early, or premature can have more breathing problems than usual.
  5. It can cause complications for mothers. Inducing an early birth can cause a lot of complications since it increases the chances that a mother will require a C-section.
  6. It’s more painful. In cases wherein a birth is artificially induced, different types of medication are used to induce the birth. When this happens, the contractions can actually be stronger and more painful for mothers.
Advertisement

READ: 9 Risk factors for premature birth

Sources: itechpost.com, foxnews.com, parents.com

Be sure to check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful stories, questions, and answers from parents and experts alike. If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Jan Alwyn Batara

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Baby
  • /
  • Planning an early birth might cause developmental problems for your baby
Share:
  • Wag Muna Buhatin si Baby: Tulog Pa ’Yan, Active Sleep Lang sa Newborn Sleep!

    Wag Muna Buhatin si Baby: Tulog Pa ’Yan, Active Sleep Lang sa Newborn Sleep!

  • Preparing Your Child for School: Helping Them Thrive in Kindergarten and Beyond

    Preparing Your Child for School: Helping Them Thrive in Kindergarten and Beyond

  • Toddler Social Skills: Helping Your Child Build Friendships and Confidence

    Toddler Social Skills: Helping Your Child Build Friendships and Confidence

  • Wag Muna Buhatin si Baby: Tulog Pa ’Yan, Active Sleep Lang sa Newborn Sleep!

    Wag Muna Buhatin si Baby: Tulog Pa ’Yan, Active Sleep Lang sa Newborn Sleep!

  • Preparing Your Child for School: Helping Them Thrive in Kindergarten and Beyond

    Preparing Your Child for School: Helping Them Thrive in Kindergarten and Beyond

  • Toddler Social Skills: Helping Your Child Build Friendships and Confidence

    Toddler Social Skills: Helping Your Child Build Friendships and Confidence

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Money Tips
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Pregnancy
  • Parenting
  • Lifestyle Section
  • FAMILY & HOME
  • TAP Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2025. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it