Elective cesarean section as a woman’s choice: a narrative literature review

The natural childbirth is the most indicated way of birth, while the cesarean section (C-section) is an intervening procedure that includes risks and is addressed to women with serious medical contraindications for natural birth. However, there has been a rapid increase in C-section deliveries in recent years. At the same time, there has been a tendency of the couples to choose a C-section without medical evidence. The purpose of the present review is the exploration of the motivation and the factors that urge the new mothers to choose a C-section while there is no medical evidence. In many studies researchers correlate the C-section choice with the increased use of biomedical engineering, the medical malpractice, and the increased concerns of health professionals for possible complications along with the previous delivery experience. A woman chooses the way of delivery under not only external but also internal factors such as personality, beliefs related to the baby's and her security, the previous traumatic delivery experiences, the preexisting psychological problems and the delivery phobia. The C-section is a way of delivery with certain indications and many times is the only way in order the delivery to be safe for both the mother and the baby. It is very important for the health professionals, in cases where the medical evidence allows the choice, to clarify all the consequences, both positive and negative that could accompany each choice, so that the procedure of the final decision to be made in the best possible way for the benefit of the mother and the baby.