What Is an Elective Cesarean?
An elective Cesarean section, or elective C-section, is when a mother chooses to deliver her baby surgically, and the procedure is scheduled in advance. Mothers and health practitioners choose elective Cesareans for a variety of reasons, including cases where a vaginal delivery may be too risky, or when a mother is afraid of the pain or after-effects of labor and vaginal birth. Although the safety and benefits of this procedure are controversial, elective Cesareans are increasing in the United States. Elective Cesarean births are sometimes recommended by doctors because a physical or health condition indicates a woman will be unable to deliver a baby vaginally. Women with high blood pressure or heart problems, or babies that are exceptionally large might have complications during a normal birth that would necessitate an emergency C-section. Doctors might recommend scheduling the procedure because elective Cesareans are considered safer than emergency Cesareans.
