ELECTIVE CESAREAN
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) held a consensus conference in
March 2006 to determine the scientific basis for maternal and fetal risks and
benefits to cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR). After two days of
presentations by experts in the field and input from the audience, the consensus
was that “the available information comparing the risks and benefits of CDMR
versus planned vaginal birth do not provide the basis for a recommendation in
either direction.”
Recommendations from the independent panel of experts include:
Women should be counseled individually for risks and benefits.
Women who are considering having >2 children should be aware that a
cesarean section causes uterine scarring; these women should avoid a primary
cesarean section.
Women should not have a cesarean section prior to 39 weeks’ gestation.