Cesarean delivery section

Cesarean delivery — also known as a C-section — is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through an incision in the mother's abdomen and a second incision in the mother's uterus.  

A caesarean section is an operation in which an obstetrician makes a cut through your belly and uterus so that your baby can be born. A C-section is the surgical delivery of a baby that involves making incisions in the mother's abdominal wall and uterus. Generally considered safe, C-sections do have more risks than vaginal births. Plus, you can come home sooner and recover quicker after a vaginal delivery. However, C-sections can help women at risk for complications avoid dangerous delivery-room situations and can save the life of the mother and/or baby when emergencies occur.

C-sections are done by obstetricians (doctors who care for pregnant women before, during, and after birth) and some family physicians. Although more and more women are choosing midwives to deliver their babies, midwives of any licensing degree cannot perform C-sections. A Cesarean section (C-section) is surgery to deliver a baby. The baby is taken out through the mother's abdomen. In the United States, about one in four women have their babies this way. Most C-sections are done when unexpected problems happen during delivery. These include

• Health problems in the mother
• The position of the baby
• Not enough room for the baby to go through the vagina
• Signs of distress in the baby

C-sections are also more common among women carrying more than one baby. The surgery is relatively safe for mother and baby. Still, it is major surgery and carries risks. It also takes longer to recover from a C-section than from vaginal birth. After healing, the incision may leave a weak spot in the wall of the uterus. This could cause problems with an attempted vaginal birth later. However, more than half of women who have a C-section can give vaginal birth later.

 It offers evidence-based advice on the care of women who:

• Have had a caesarean section in the past and are now pregnant again
• Have a clinical indication for a caesarean section or
• Are considering a caesarean section when there is no other indication.
• New and updated recommendations have been included on:
• The risks and benefits of planned caesarean section compared with planned vaginal birth
• Care of women considered at risk of a morbidly adherent placenta
• Appropriate care and choices for women who are HIV positive
• Care of women requesting a caesarean section without a clinical indication
• Decision-to-delivery intervals to be used as audit standards
• Timing of the administration of antibiotics for caesarean section
• Appropriate care and choices for women who have previously had a caesarean section

Risk in Cesarean delivery 

• Inflammation and infection of the membrane lining the uterus
• Increased bleeding
• Reactions to anesthesia
• Blood clots
• Wound infection
• Surgical injury
• Increased risks during future pregnancies

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