The evolution of cesarean section during this century is a relatively safe procedure. It is
generally accepted that a planned operation often does better in terms of morbidity than one
performed as an emergency. The aim of the present study were to find out indications for
elective and emergency CS and to compare elective and emergency CS regarding intraoperative
and postoperative complications in both mother and her newborn. A prospective
design was selected in carrying out this study and a representative sample of 400 parturient
women (200 with elective CS and 200 with emergency CS) were recruited for this study in
the Maternity hospital at Zagazig University. The tools used for data collection were; an
interview questionnaire sheet, a clinical assessment form, the partograph, a summary of labor
sheet and a neonatal assessment sheet. The results of the present study revealed that there
were no statistical significant differences in intra-operative and postoperative complications
between two groups. Additionally, women who had elective cesarean section had a higher
mean apgar score at the first and fifth minutes (7.7 ± 1.2 and 9.2 ± 1.3) than those who had
emergency cesarean section (6.9 ± 1.0 and 8.3 ± 1.5). It can be concluded that, the women
who had emergency CS were younger than 25 years, had less mean number of gravida and
para and had lack of antenatal care attendance than those who had elective CS. The study
recommended that: higher incidence of emergency cesarean section is associated with intraoperative
and postoperative complications, so cesarean should be done at earliest possible
time to reduce drastic outcome.