I'm an obgyn physician and there is absolutely more risk in performing a c-section during the second stage compared to the first stage of labor. First, it is more difficult to extract the baby when the head has decended. Increased risk of poor neonatal outcomes and lower APGAR scores. Increased maternal risks such as longer operating time, increased risk of surgical trauma to bowel, bladder, uterus, and increased risk of hemorrhage and infection. There are also risks carried over to subsequent pregnancies, such as late preterm birth.