Cesarean section: a controversial feature of modern obstetric practice

Cesarean section (CS) has been an integral part of modern obstetrics during the last decades. As safety has increased, so too has the range of problems that CS is used to solve, to a degree that it must cause medical concern. There is a great danger in the blind faith that CS is the only way out in every difficult obstetric situation. The problem can always be easily solved by CS in an acute difficult obstetrical situation. However, CS is a major abdominal surgery and it may present any complication that besets major surgery including severe intraoperative and postoperative complications, a much greater risk for maternal death compared to vaginal delivery and also late complications, i.e. secondary involuntary infertility. Therefore, CS should never be undertaken lightly and without serious consideration of the justifications, preparations and all ancillary support.