We examined the relationship between cesarean section (C-section) and the risk of overweight and obesity in children in grade 6 (mean age, 11.92 years; standard deviation = 0.34). Data from phase I through phase III of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development were used. Children with complete data from 1991 through 2004 were included in this study (n = 917). Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to adjust for potential confounding and to evaluate the association of C-section and childhood overweight and obesity. Compared to children delivered vaginally, children delivered by C-section had approximately twice the likelihood of being overweight (odds ratio (OR) = 1.86, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.27–2.73) or obese (OR = 1.87, 95 % CI = 1.19–2.95). However, when examined according to sex, males delivered by C-section had an increased risk for being overweight (OR = 1.78, 95 % CI = 1.01–3.12) and obese (OR = 2.58, 95 % CI = 1.36–4.88), while females had an increased risk only for being overweight (OR = 1.99, 95 % CI = 1.17–3.39). Conclusion: C-section was associated with an increased risk of overweight and obesity in children in grade 6, but the relationship differed according to gender. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to examine the long-term effect of delivery mode on the risk of childhood overweight.

This thesis supported the hypothesis that preoperative verbalization enhances the birth experience in primary emergency cesarean delivered women. A T-test was utilized to compare the two groups' responses on each item of a 29 point questionnaire. The questionnaire measured perception of birth in 28 participants who verbalized their feelings preoperatively and 22 participants who did not verbalize preoperatively. The total mean score for all 29 items indicated a favorable perception for the former group. In addition, six specific items were significantly favorable for the group who verbalized. The T-test revealed questionnaire items of significance in the following subgroups: age, duration and intensity of labor, and parity.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

The purpose of this study was to describe relationships between husband attendance during cesarean birth and parental perceptions of the cesarean birth and of the neonate. The independent variable was husband attendance during cesarean birth. Dependent variables were parental perceptions as measured by the Parental Perceptions of Cesarean Birth and Neonate Questionnaire. Thirty-five married couples who delivered healthy neonates by cesarean section with regional anesthesia constituted the study and control groups. The 60 parents in the study group were together during cesarean delivery; the 10 parents in the control group were not. Seventy subjects responded to 19 items on a Lilert-type questionnaire and 53 wrote comments about their birth experiences. ANOVA and repeated measures were used to examine data. Both research hypotheses, which were tested at the .05 level off significance, were supported: there was a significant relationship between husband attendance and positive perceptions of both the birth and of the neonate. Presence of the father in surgery had significant effects on perceptions of cesarean birth (p <.01), perceptions of the neonate (p<.01), and perceptions of the time that the neonate was first seen and held by parents (p <.01). Level of education of mother was significantly related to perceptions of the neonate (p <.05). Level of education of father had a significant effect on reported fear for self during cesarean delivery (p <.05). Adequate preparation was significantly related to positive perceptions of cesarean birth (p <.01). The majority of parents of both groups found their birth experiences satisfying, but some would have liked more time together, more contact with infant, more preparation and more comfort for mother. Study results supported the practice of family-centered cesarean birth.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

Since the 1970s, the United States has encountered an increasing proportion of Cesarean deliveries (CS), surpassing the advised 10-15% maximum rate established in 1985 by the World Health Organization (World Health Organization, 1985). This increasing rate has fueled correlational and causational studies observing the impact of Cesarean delivery on several aspects of infant health. Previous studies on CS infants have observed a delay in gut colonization by beneficial bacteria – for instance Bifidobacteria – traditionally transmitted from the mother’s gut and vaginal microbiome as other environmental factors have influenced the initial microflora (Biasucci et al., 2010; Dong, Yang, & Wang, 2010; Penders et al., 2006). In addition, an increasing proportion of births are occurring within a home setting, providing an opportunity to study how these possible environmental factors may influence bacterial colonization. This initial gastrointestinal colonization is considered one of the most important factors towards immune system development and general health. This thesis proposes an examination of how the mode and setting of delivery influence the diversity of Bifidobacterium species in infants’ initial gut microbiomes. Additionally, while several studies have examined the impact of specific bacterial species on immune system development, this study will provide an approach to understanding how differences in the overall gastrointestinal (GI) ecologies of CS and vaginal delivery (VD) infants impact immune system development.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 92-101). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1977.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1977.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 92-101). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Rhode Island, 2009. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 157-166).

Thesis (M.A.)--Georgia State University, 2006. / Title from title screen. Lesley Reid, committee chair; Wendy Simonds, Dawn Baunach, committee members. Electronic text (80 p.) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed June 18, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 66-74).