Elective cesarean section on maternal request: ethical and legal considerations

Abstract

Cesarean is defined as the delivery of a fetus through surgical incisions made through the uterine wall. Primary cesarean sections often lead to repeat cesareans, which may lead to placenta accreta spectrum disorders. The ethic of exposing mothers to these risks, as well as performing surgery on what is otherwise a healthy patient, become entangled with the demand for patient choice, as well as the increasing financial strain on our healthcare system. The main question to be examined is whether it is ethical to allow women to opt for cesarean delivery in the absence of obstetric indication (i.e. cesarean delivery on maternal request), taking into account the increased risk to the mother and her future offspring.