RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Patient-Choice Vaginal Delivery?
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 265
OP 268
DO 10.1370/afm.537
VO 4
IS 3
A1 Leeman, Lawrence M.
A1 Plante, Lauren A.
YR 2006
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/4/3/265.abstract
AB Patient-choice cesarean delivery is increasing in the United States. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports this option, citing ethical premises of autonomy and informed consent, despite a lack of evidence for its safety. This increase in patient-choice cesarean delivery occurs during a time when women with a breech-presenting fetus or a previous cesarean section have fewer choices as to vaginal birth. Patient-choice cesarean delivery may become widely disseminated before the potential risks to women and their children have been well analyzed. The growing pressure for cesarean delivery in the absence of a medical indication may ultimately result in a decrease of women’s childbirth options. Advocacy of patient-choice requires preserving vaginal birth options as well as cesarean delivery.