Background: Cesarean section is the birth of a fetus through an incision in the abdominal wall and the uterine wall. It classified according to time of performing it into elective cesarean and emergency cesarean section. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life among women undergoing elective cesarean section versus emergency cesarean section. Setting: This study was conducted in postpartum unit at Benha university hospital. DESIGN: A descriptive exploratory study design was utilized. Sampling: A Purposive sample included 200 women. Tools: Structured interviewing questionnaire sheet, Visual analogue pain scale and Quality of life questionnaire sheet. Results: The present study revealed that there was no significance difference in women's knowledge regarding cesarean section and quality of life between two groups. Pain increased in emergency group than elective group. There was highly statistically significance difference regarding quality of life (P ≤ 0.001). Women in elective group had better quality of life than women in emergency group in all domains. Conclusion: Women knowledge regarding cesarean section and quality of life was unsatisfactory. The pain score was severe in emergency than elective group. Elective cesarean section had better quality of life than emergency cesarean section. Recommendations: developing awareness program for enhancing woman knowledge for improving quality of life post cesarean section.

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