1. Introduction
Cesarean section (CS) is one of the most commonly performed abdominal
surgeries in women during recent decades
(1, 2). The
rate of CS varies between countries and medical facilities but continues
to rise all over the world (1,
2). It is thought that some pregnant women
ask for CS delivery even when there is no medical indication, where many
pregnant females prefer the CS procedure because of their fear of labor
pain which is the most common reason for avoiding spontaneous vaginal
delivery (3). Even though CS is a
lifesaving procedure, but still, it has a short- and long-term morbidity
(2, 4).
The World Health Organization (WHO) focuses on the fact that performing
CS without a medical purpose could put the mother and her baby at risk
of short and long term complications (2).
Those include the risk of death, blood transfusion, hysterectomy and
risks related to the stay in an intensive care unit (ICU)
(5). Furthermore, the lack of labor in
elective CS delivery increases the risk of neonatal mortality, prolonged
ICU stay (4), and extremely elevated costs
(6). In 1985, based on evidence at that
time, WHO put an optimal rate for CS of 10-15%
(7) but in 2015 WHO replaced this rate and
state that CS should be provided to women in need rather than making
great efforts to obtain a specific rate
(2).
The present study aims to determine females’ views, experiences, and
attitudes regarding the CS procedure. Besides, it aims to focus on the
role of health care providers in delivering the proper advice to
pregnant women and increase their awareness regarding CS.