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Summary
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, almost one in three women has their babies this way. Some C-sections are planned, but many are done when unexpected problems happen during delivery. Reasons for a C-section may include
- Health problems in the mother
- The mother carrying more than one baby
- The size or position of the baby
- The baby's health is in danger
- Labor is not moving along as it should
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. It can raise the risk of having difficulties with future pregnancies. Some women may have problems attempting a vaginal birth later. Still, many women are able to have a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).
NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Related Issues
- Breastfeeding After Cesarean Delivery (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
-
Is a Vaginal Birth Possible After a Cesarean Delivery?
(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
- Medications for Pain Relief during Labor and Delivery (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - PDF Also in Spanish
- Repeat C-Sections: Is There a Limit? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Scheduling a C-Section (March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation)
- Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Delivery: Deciding on a Trial of Labor After a Cesarean Delivery (TOLAC) (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - PDF Also in Spanish
- VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-Section) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Why at Least 39 Weeks Is Best for Your Baby? (March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation)
Specifics
- Medical Reasons for a C-Section (March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation) Also in Spanish
-
When Is a Cesarean Delivery Necessary and What Are the Risks?
(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
Images
- C-section - slideshow (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Videos and Tutorials
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Cesarean section
(Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
-
Cesarean Section: Recovering After Surgery
(March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation)
-
Cesarean Section: The Operation
(March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation)
Statistics and Research
- Changes in Cesarean Delivery Rates by Gestational Age: United States, 1996-2011 (National Center for Health Statistics)
- FastStats: Births -- Method of Delivery (National Center for Health Statistics)
- FastStats: Obstetrical Procedures (National Center for Health Statistics)
- PeriStats: Perinatal Statistics (March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation)
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Cesarean Section
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal ArticlesReferences and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Find an Expert
Patient Handouts
- After a C-section - in the hospital (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- C-section (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Going home after a C-section (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Vaginal birth after C-section (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish