Temp hold ~public perception that a cesarean delivery is now an almost risk-free procedure

by faithgibson on March 5, 2025

the public perception that a cesarean delivery is now an almost risk-free procedure—might well be contributing to the rise in the number of cesarean sections performed ().

This perspective, however, overlooks the fact that a cesarean section is a surgical procedure with numerous potential complications for both mother and child. Apart from the intraoperative risks (i.e., infection, organ injuries, or the need for blood transfusion [–]), many side effects can occur post partum: thromboembolic complications, for example (, – ). In particular, the complications relating to later pregnancies should be mentioned: uterine rupture (– ), infertility (– ), or even placental anomalies such as placenta previa, increta, or accreta (– , , – ). In recent years a number of risks have also been described for babies delivered by elective cesarean section: the development of bronchial asthma (, ), for example, or type 1 diabetes mellitus () or allergic rhinitis (, ). Existing data are unsatisfactory, however, and a focus of current controversy. Two review articles point to neonatal risk associated with elective cesarean section compared with vaginal delivery, including increased mortality, increased risk of respiratory disease, or type 1 diabetes (, ). Other authors, however, found no difference in neonatal outcome between elective cesearean and vaginal delivery, although they emphasize that only limited data are available (). The WHO stated, on the basis of a study of maternal and fetal complications between 2004 and 2008 in 24 countries, that cesarean sections are associated with an increase in risks for both mother and child compared to vaginal delivery and should therefore be performed only when significant advantages are expected ().