title: Elective cesarean section and decision making: a critical review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The cesarean section rate continues to rise in many countries with routine access to medical services, yet this increase is not associated with improvement in perinatal mortality or morbidity. A large number of commentaries in the medical literature and media suggest that consumer demand contributes significantly to the continued rise of births by cesarean section internationally. The objective of this article was to critically review the research literature concerning women's preference or request for elective cesarean section published since that critiqued by Gamble and Creedy in 2000.
  
  
  METHODS
  A search of key databases using a range of search terms produced over 200 articles, of which 80 were potentially relevant. Of these, 38 were research-based articles and 40 were opinion-based articles. A total of 17 articles fitted the criteria for review. A range of methodologies was used, with varying quality, making meta-analysis of findings inappropriate, and simple summaries of results difficult to produce.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The range and quality of studies had increased since 2001, reflecting continuing concern. Women's preference for cesarean section varied from 0.3 to 14 percent; however, only 3 studies looked directly at this preference in the absence of clinical indications. Women's preference for a cesarean section related to psychological factors, perceptions of safety, or in some countries, was influenced by cultural or social factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Research between 2000 and 2005 shows evidence of very small numbers of women requesting a cesarean section. A range of personal and societal reasons, including fear of birth and perceived inequality and inadequacy of care, underpinned these requests.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research in Midwifery and Childbirth, Thames Valley University, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McCourt
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Statham
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beake
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gamble
authors.forename: Debra K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Creedy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000523:psychology*; D003657:Decision Making; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000523:psychology*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010358:Patient Participation; D011247:Pregnancy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012107:Research Design