Abby Parkes needed a Caesarean section to deliver her son Lucas. It was a decision she did not take lightly. "It was for health reasons, really. If I had a choice I would have had a natural birth."
Now new research from Imperial College London shows c-section babies could have weight issues later on.
"There may be increased risk of becoming overweight or obese if you were born by Caesarian."
The study of 150,000 births found c-section babies are 25% more likely to be heavier as adults.
Study author Neena Modi says the findings suggest not having a natural birth may effect a baby's metabolism. "We need to be exposed to the bacteria that come from mother which that baby may not be exposed to if it is born by c-section."
About a third of all babies in the U.S. are born by c-section. Previous research has shown c-section babies may be at higher risk for asthma and childhood diabetes.
Abby is not concerned at this point. "My little boy is particularly healthy. He is long and thin so it doesn't worry me!"
She says she would love to have more children and would be less worried this time about a c-section.
Researchers say other factors may also play a role in c-section babies gaining weight later on, including maternal weight, age and life.
