Host: Lisa Mazzullo, MD

Guest: Alan Peaceman, MD

Cesarean section on maternal request is becoming a more common discussion in doctors offices around the country. Since the late 90’s, cesarean section rates continue to rise with overall estimates of 29% noted in 2004. The ethics of patient autonomy war with medical concerns about potentially unnecessary surgery. The challenges posed by elective cesarean section are discussed with Dr. Alan Peaceman, professor of ob/gyn at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and chief of the division of MFM. Neonatal and maternal safety, long term sequelae of vaginal birth and NIH recommendations on how to deal with this potentially emotional issue are thoroughly discussed. Reference Articles 1. Declercq, E, PhD, et al. Factors associated with the rise in Primary Cesarean Births in the US in 2002, Am J Public Health, 2006; 96(5): 867-872 2. National Institute of Health- Cesarean Childbirth. UDHHS- 2006, , 1982-2067 3. Greene, M. et al. Vaginal Delivery after Cesarean section – is the risk acceptable? N Engl J Med 2001, 345:55-56 4. Andrist, Linda, PhD, RNC. NPWH 2006- Cesarean Section on Maternal Request_ the debate.