Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influencing factors on emergency cesarean section (CS).

Methods: This retrospective cross–sectional study was conducted on women who had a CSin the maternity care units (MCU) in Al–Khobar from 1^st of July 2014 to 1^st of July 2015. A total of 300 medical records were randomly selected with an equal allocation to MCU.

Results: Emergency CS was prevalent in the young age group 21–29–year–old. The influencing factors of emergency cesarean section were: delivery characteristics (duration of labor (p=0.000) and a low birth weight less than 2500 grams (p=0.005)), maternal factors (tender scar (p=0.000) and antepartum hemorrhage (p=0.016)), fetal factors (p=0.002) (fetal distress (p=0.000)). Significance was found between emergency cesarean section with previous scar (p=0.000) and with Malpresentation (p=0.005).

Conclusion: Emergency cesarean section was influenced by delivery characteristics and maternal and fetal factors.