There have been some differences of opinion as to whether a fetus with known meningomyelocele should be delivered normally or by cesarean section. Advocates of the latter maintain that pressures on the spinal cord during passage down the birth canal may result in irreversible injury and loss of neurological function. Other physicians can find no evidence that this has any bearing on future neurological function, and feel that normal delivery is preferable.
It is our perspective that there has been no clear-cut, proven benefit of cesarean section, and that both the baby and the parents are better off if delivery is carried out normally.