[Elective cesarean section on maternal request--what's new?]

Elective cesarean section on maternal request is a debatable issue with regard to all of its aspects. Current literature discusses topics such as its prevalence, risks and benefits in comparison with vaginal delivery, as well as ethical, judicial and economical questions regarding its execution. We reviewed the relevant literature from the last decade. There are no clear research findings which indicate that overall, elective cesarean section on maternal request is better, or alternatively, more perilous, in comparison with vaginal delivery, from both maternal and fetal or neonatal aspects. Due to its prevalence, there is a need for the obstetric establishment in Israel to make a formal statement regarding its attitude towards this issue.