Elective Cesarean Section There are many paths to consider when a person becomes pregnant. The parents must decide whether to keep the child or not, then what type of care they will have while pregnant, and finally how they will bring the child into the world. There is the traditional method of birth where the infant is pushed through the vagina and there is Cesarean Section, or C-Section, wherein the baby is removed from the mother's womb surgically. The latter method is most often utilized when there is a potential health risk in a traditional birth. However, in recent years, it is becoming more and more common for women to choose C-Sections for reasons such as being able to schedule when the child will be born, less recovery time, and assorted other benefits. In the 1960s, birth by C-Section accounted for approximately 3% of the population. At present C-Sections make up over 30% of births. In many parts of the world, like China, the number of C-Section births is closer to 50% (Harmon 2010). 11.7% of births were elective Cesareans, that is they were C-Sections which were performed although no medical risk to mother or child was perceived. This growing rate has led to some in the medical profession becoming concerned that people are putting perceived convenience ahead of their own safety, as well as what is best for the soon-to-be child.

Management/interventions:

Cesarean sections are performed very frequently and it is the responsibility of those attending the patient and her unborn son or daughter to ensure that the mother-to-be understands all the potential risks of the choice she makes. There is far less danger to women undergoing C-Sections in the modern era than there have been in the past, but the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that reduction of health risk is only in regard to women and babies who were in more danger from a traditional birth (Harmon 2010). Any elective surgery, as an unnecessary Cesarean...

The WHO has made it known that they are officially against the prevalence in elective C-sections.
There are also economic concerns regarding Cesarean sections. They are more expensive than a traditional birth because more technology is utilized. More tools and equipments must be used in order to make sure the operation is performed successfully (Misra 2006,-page 272). Additionally, if the infant is removed from the mother too soon, there will have to be supplemental care, including placement in intensive care facilities.

Risks/benefits to patient:

The benefits, as stated above, of an elective Cesarean are the ability to choose when the child will be born and the faster recovery time as compared to vaginal delivery. For women with stricter time constraints such as rigid maternity leave, this can ensure that they are allowed the maximum time with their child. Women who have cosmetic concerns about their bodies can ensure that they will be able to retain the initial integrity of their vagina and not risk tearing of the skin or tissues. Elective Cesarean also allows the mother to schedule the delivery with her obstetrician or physician and ensure that the child is delivered by the desired medical professional.

Besides risks to the mother, C-Sections can lead to health problems in the child being born. In some cases, the child has been removed from the mother before the baby was healthy enough to survive outside the womb and tragedy was the result. Among the issues facing C-Section babies are potentially deadly respiratory problems. Further research and study is required to curb this issue. Rosie Maternity Hospital in Cambridge, England performed research into which weeks of pregnancy would be safest for Cesarean sections in terms of potential respiratory problems for the infant. This team was able to determine that if children were…