What are some non-medical (elective) reasons for cesarean section?
Concerns about pelvic floor disorders: You may be hearing that an elective cesarean section will prevent later-life problems with leaking urine (urinary incontinence) or leaking feces or gas (bowel incontinence). The research does not support this claim. Current research suggests that pregnancy and some commonly used maternity practices (such as routine episiotomy, a surgical cut made just before birth to widen the opening of the vagina) can contribute to incontinence in the period after the birth. While research supports avoiding whenever possible maternity practices that can harm the pelvic floor, it does not support avoiding vaginal birth itself. In addition, studies find that birthing practices have their strongest effects in the recovery period in the first weeks and months after birth. These effects fall off quickly for nearly all women and disappear for nearly all by about age 50. Incontinence in later life seems to be related to other health and lifestyle factors such as excess
