Cesarean versus Vaginal Delivery: Whose Risks? Whose Benefits?

Kimberly D. Gregory; Sherri Jackson; Lisa Korst; Moshe Fridman

doi:10.1055/s-0031-1285829

American Journal of Perinatology, Table of Contents

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?

Authors

Kimberly D. Gregory

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center/Burns Allen Research Institute, Los Angeles, California

²David Geffen School of Medicine and UCLA School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California
Sherri Jackson

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center/Burns Allen Research Institute, Los Angeles, California
Lisa Korst

³Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
Moshe Fridman

⁴AMF Consulting, Los Angeles, California

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

Full Text

References

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