Timing of elective repeat cesarean section: Maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality

Timing of elective repeat cesarean section should take into account both fetal and maternal considerations. The percentage of cesarean deliveries has dramatically increased during the last decades. It undoubtedly leads to an increase in the number of women having multiple cesarean sections. While maternal morbidity increases with increased number of cesarean sections, and the risk potential is elevated with gestational age, when compared with their term counterparts late preterm infants face increased morbidity. Establishing the optimal time of delivery for both mother and child is a major challenge faced by clinicians. The aim of this chapter is to better understand neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality that are associated with elective repeat cesarean section, in order to provide an educated decision regarding the optimal timing for elective repeat cesarean section.