Worldwide, the rate of cesarean section is increasing. According to the CDC, in 2012, the cesarean section rate accounted for 32.8% of all births in the United States (CDC, 2013). Between 1996 and 2009, the cesarean section rate increased by 60% in the United States (CDC, 2013). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 50% of the 137 countries studied had cesarean section rates above 15% (WHO, 2010). The current US 2020 Healthy People goal is to reduce the cesarean section rate to a goal of 23.9%, almost 10% lower than the current rate (Healthy People 2020, 2013). According to a study by Gonzales, Tapia, Fort, and Betran (2013), the appropriate percentage of cesarean sections performed is unclear and depends on the circumstances of each individual birth (p. 643). Although it is often a life-saving procedure when necessary, the risks and complications associated with cesarean delivery are a cause for concern due to the documented increase in the rate of this procedure across the world. Many studies have found that cesarean deliveries increase the incidence of maternal hemorrhage, mortality, and neonatal respiratory distress compared to vaginal deliveries. Accordingly, current research suggests that efforts should be made to reduce the rate of non-medically indicated cesarean sections and that comprehensive patient education should be provided when considering an elective cesarean section rather than a planned vaginal delivery. There is no clear definition of the term. elective cesarean section (ECD). Each study reviewed had a different set of guidelines used to define what an ECD includes. Many researchers have defined the term broadly; with definitions ranging from performing a cesarean section before ...... middle of paper ...... after late preterm and full term cesarean delivery. Pediatrics, 123(6), 1064-1071. doi:10.1542/peds.2008-2407Reddy, U.M., Zhang, J., Sun, L., Chen, Z., Raju, T.N., & Laughon, K. (2012). Neonatal mortality from attempted delivery during premature birth. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 207(2). doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2012.06.023Vered, N., Nadir, E., & Feldman, M. (2012). It is better to have a late elective cesarean section than an early one. Acta Paediatrica, 101, 1054-1057. doi:10.1111/j.1651-2227.2012.02772.xZanardo, V., Svegliado, G., Cavallin, F., Giustardi, A., Cosmi, E., Litta, P. and Trevisanuto, D. (2010) . Elective cesarean section: does it have a negative effect on breastfeeding? Birth, 37(4), 275-279. Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com.summit.csuci.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=f4eb05fd-f93d-45bf-aa4d-ef5c14821ea7%40sessionmgr4004&vid=4&hid=4207