caesarean section

a caesarean section, or c-section, is the surgical delivery of an infant through an incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus. some caesarean sections are planned when a known medical problem would make labour dangerous for the mother or baby, while others are done when a quick delivery is needed to ensure the mother's and infant's well-being.

situations in which a caesarean section may be used include:

fetal distress.
stalled labour that doesn't respond to medicines or other methods.
breech delivery.
placenta problems.
a mother's hiv or active genital herpes infection.
some multiple pregnancies.
umbilical cord problems that reduce blood flow to the fetus.
maternal illness that makes it dangerous to undergo the stress of a vaginal birth.

the incision may be made across the bottom of the abdomen above the pubic area (transverse) or, in certain cases, in a line from the navel to the pubic area (vertical). in many cases, a woman delivering by caesarean can remain awake during the childbirth and be with her newborn soon afterward.

a caesarean section is a surgical procedure, and recovery takes longer than after a vaginal delivery. a woman recovering from a caesarean delivery requires extra help during the first week or so after delivery.

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caesarean section

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