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Am J Perinatol 2012; 29(01): 07-18
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1285829
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Cesarean versus Vaginal Delivery: Whose Risks? Whose Benefits?

Kimberly D. Gregory
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center/Burns Allen Research Institute, Los Angeles, California
2   David Geffen School of Medicine and UCLA School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California
,
Sherri Jackson
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center/Burns Allen Research Institute, Los Angeles, California
,
Lisa Korst
3   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
,
Moshe Fridman
4   AMF Consulting, Los Angeles, California
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

01 June 2011

06 June 2011

Publication Date:
10 August 2011 (online)

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Abstract

We reviewed the risks and benefits of vaginal and cesarean delivery to help frame the inherent trade-offs that should be considered as part of the informed consent discussion between patients and providers. We performed a targeted literature review for common complications of childbirth. Approximately 30% of women will experience a maternal or neonatal complication during childbirth. Both cesarean and vaginal delivery is associated with well-known measurable short- and long-term maternal and neonatal complications and benefits. Childbirth is not risk free. There are data available that can guide the informed consent process with objective quantifiable data that patients and providers can use to weigh risks and benefits of delivery methods.

Keywords

cesarean delivery - labor and delivery complications - informed consent - obstetric quality and safety
 

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