Patient-Requested Cesarean Update

Patient-Requested Cesarean Update: "Both Dr. Zinberg and Dr. D'Alton stress that women who request cesarean delivery in the absence of any medical indication should be counseled on the risks associated with cesarean, including a higher risk of infection, adhesions (painful scar tissue under the skin), pulmonary embolisms (blood clots), complications from the use of anesthesia, and the potential need for future cesareans, which entail additional risk. They also pointed out that the decision to perform a CDMR should be carefully individualized and consistent with ethical principles. 'There is also a growing concern of the increased risk of babies born before 39 weeks of gestation; therefore, CDMR should not be performed prior to 39 weeks of gestation or without verification of lung maturity,' says Dr. Zinberg."