Cesarean Birth (C-Section)

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Definition

In a cesarean birth (C-section), the baby is delivered through a surgical incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus (womb). In the US, 15%-40% of all births are delivered by C-section.

Parts of the Body Involved

• Abdomen
• Uterus

Reasons for Procedure

The following situation may require a C-section:

• Large baby
• Maternal medical conditions (eg diabetes, high blood pressure, herpes infection)
• Placenta previa—the placenta (the organ that links the mother and the baby) blocks the path of exit from the uterus
• Multiple births
• Failure of labor to progress—labor stops before the baby is born
• Health of the baby—the baby shows signs of distress, such as a worsening abnormal heart rate during delivery
• Previous cesarean birth—in some cases after one cesarean birth, it is best to have other babies delivered by cesarean
• Fetal anomalies—fetal problems that have been diagnosed with prenatal testing

Cesarean rates can be influenced by nonmedical factors including, individual philosophy and training, convenience of doctor or patient, patient's socioeconomic status, peer pressure, fear of litigation, and financial gain.

What to Expect

Risks

Cesarean birth is major surgery and risks are involved. The estimated risk of a woman dying after a cesarean birth is less than one in 2,500 (the risk of death after a vaginal birth is less than one in 10,000). Other risks include:

• Infection— uterus or nearby pelvic organs, such as the bladder or kidneys, can become infected
• Increased blood loss—the average loss is about twice as much with cesarean birth as with vaginal birth
• Decreased bowel function—the bowel sometimes slows down for several days after surgery, resulting in distention, bloating, and discomfort
• Respiratory complications—general anesthesia can sometimes lead to pneumonia
• Longer hospital stay and recovery time—cesarean stay is 3-5 days in the hospital, less than 1-3 days for a vaginal birth
• Reactions to anesthesia—the mother's health could be endangered by unexpected responses to anesthesia or other medications
• Risk of additional surgeries—may include hysterectomy or bladder repair

Outcome

You should heal quickly and completely after a C-section. Talk with your surgeon about the type of incision used and its effect on future births.

You may need some help learning breastfeeding positions so that you won't put pressure on your incision. You may also notice some uterine cramping, pain, and an increase in vaginal bleeding at the beginning of nursing.

Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following Occurs

If you have just had a cesarean section, call the doctor immediately if you:

• Develop a fever
• Become dizzy or faint
• Experience nausea and vomiting
• Become short of breath
• Have pain, swelling, and redness at the incision site