Maternal request for cesarean delivery; a solid indication or a window for complications; a teaching hospital experience

Abstract

Background: Cesarean Section on Maternal Request (CSMR) is a growing phenomenon whose literature needs to be appraised, and it is exemplified by a steady increase in the world neck and neck by high percentage of births by CS. It is even more luckless that giving birth by elective CS based on the pregnant woman’s choice has become the first place among the justifications, notwithstanding its direct and long-term complications. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed data of all CS deliveries during the year 2022 at our hospital using electronic medical records in the hospital information system. Retrieved data include baseline demographic characteristics, mode of delivery, indications, and the type of CS, aiming to clarify the reason for CS to challenge the percentage of CS based on the yearning of the pregnant woman without a medical reason; to identify, analyze and try to solve the ethical problem raised up by the pregnant woman’s request for CS. Results: The results revealed two significant facts; a sturdy noteworthy increase in the percentage of pregnant women delivering by CS compared to vaginal delivery at 54% versus 45.6%, and a sharp increase in the CS deliveries on maternal requests at 22.78%. The main reason for this shifting practice is the previous one CS followed by a decision that was taken on personal and family convictions. These harvested results revealed a significant increase in the percentage of pregnant women not receiving proper antenatal counseling about the appropriate method of delivery, with improper justification to jump over nature. Conclusion: Cesarean section should be signposted when on earth there is any indication or menace of detriment to the maternal and fetal binomial. If in earlier times "labor death" was a fact of life, nowadays it is astonishing and disgraceful the death of a mother due to pregnancy-delivery-postpartum. The proclamation that vaginal delivery is better because it is "natural" cannot and should not be taken to the last consequences under the risk of bad luck. The best form of birth is the safe one. To provide every pregnant woman with the right to choose her child's mode of delivery is to arbitrate for her sovereignty, yielding her respect and pride, nonetheless, it should be minimalistic and not absolute under this banner. Minimizing the rate of primary CS carries the secret key to ideal obstetrical care.