M.S. is a 26-year-old woman pregnant with her first child. Her husband accompanied her to all her prenatal visits. An ultrasound during a routine visit at 34 weeks' gestation revealed that the baby had hydrocephalus and a myelomeningocele . The parents were initially devastated but remained very excited about the birth of their first child. M.S. was scheduled for a cesarean section at 38 weeks' gestation, and the couple was anxious about their child's condition and care following birth. M.S. delivered a baby boy by cesarean sectionhe was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit. On admission to the nursery , the baby's vital signs and weight were within normal limits, but his head circumference was large. He had bulging fontanelles and a high-pitched cry. The nurse noted a saclike projection in the lumbar region of his spine.
1. Discuss the rationale for delivering the infant by cesarean section