Across the world, the rate of cesarean section is increasing. According to the CDC, the cesarean section rate accounted for 32.8% of all births in the United States in 2012 (CDC, 2013). Between 1996 and 2009, the rate of cesarean sections 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 caesarean section rates above 15% (WHO, 2010). The current US 2020 Healthy People goal is to reduce the cesarean section rate to 23.9%, which is nearly 10% lower than the current rate (Healthy People 2020, 2013). According to a study conducted by Gonzales, Tapia, Fort, and Betran (2013), the appropriate rate of cesarean sections performed is unclear and depends on the circumstances of each individual birth (p. 643). While often a life-saving procedure when necessary, the risks and complications associated with cesarean delivery are cause for alarm due to the documented increase in the rate of this procedure worldwide. Many studies have revealed 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 medically unindicated cesarean sections and that comprehensive patient education should be provided when considering an elective cesarean delivery versus a planned vaginal birth . There is no clear definition of 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… to mid-document… after a late pre-term and full-term cesarean section. 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 due to attempted delivery in early preterm birth. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 207(2). doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2012.06.023Vered, N., Nadir, E., & Feldman, M. (2012). Late cesarean section better than early elective cesarean section. Acta Pediatrica, 101, 1054-1057. doi:10.1111/j.1651-2227.2012.02772.xZanardo, V., Svegliado, G., Cavallin, F., Giustardi, A., Cosmi, E., Litta, P., & Trevisanuto, D. (2010) . Optional cesarean section: does it have negative effects 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