The Effect of Early versus Traditional Hospital Discharge on Maternal Outcome for Women Undergoing Elective Cesarean Section

Abstract

For nearly 30 years, the international healthcare community has considered the ideal rate for cesarean sections to be between 10% and 15%.Since then cesarean sections have become increasingly common in both developed and developing countries for a variety of reasons. When medically justified, Cesarean section can effectively prevent maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. However, Cesarean birth adds the stress of surgery and surgical recovery, women delivering by cesarean section also reportedly experienced depression, anxiety, guilt, less satisfaction with the birth experience, and loss of control and self-esteem. Furthermore, Cesarean delivery generally tends to be more costly than vaginal deliveries and is associated with higher rates of maternal re-hospitalization, and postpartum medical care utilization.