Cesarean birth is the birth of a baby by surgery. The doctor makes an incision (cut) in the belly and uterus (womb) and then removes the baby. The surgery is called a cesarean section or c-section.
The natural way for a baby to be born is through the mother's vagina (birth canal). But sometimes vaginal birth isn't possible. If you or your baby have certain problems before or during labor, c-section may be safer than vaginal birth.
You and your health care provider may plan your cesarean in advance. Or you may need an emergency (unplanned)
c-section because of a complication that arises for you or your baby during pregnancy or labor.
Why Might I Have a C-Section?
Your health care provider may suggest that you have a c-section for one or more of these reasons:
- You've already had a c-section in another pregnancy or other surgeries on your uterus.
- Your baby is too big to pass safely through the vagina.
- The baby's buttocks or feet enter the birth canal first, instead of the head. This is called a breech position.
- The baby's shoulder enters the birth canal first, instead of the head. This is called a transverse position
- There are problems with the placenta. This is the organ that nourishes your baby in the womb. Placental problems can cause dangerous bleeding during vaginal birth.
- Labor is too slow or stops.
- The baby's umbilical cord slips into the vagina, where it could be squeezed or flattened during vaginal delivery. This is called umbilical cord prolapse.
- You have an infection like HIV or genital herpes.
- You're having twins, triplets or more.
- The baby has problems during labor that show it is under stress, such as a slow heart rate. This is sometimes called “fetal distress.”
- You have a serious medical condition that requires intensive or emergency treatment (such as diabetes or high blood pressure).
- The baby has a certain type of birth defect.
A woman who has a c-section usually takes longer to recover than a woman who has had a vaginal birth. Women can expect to stay 3 to 4 days in the hospital after a c-section. Full recovery usually takes 4 to 6 weeks. Usually, the hospital stay for vaginal birth is 2 days, with full recovery taking less time than a cesarean. C-section may be more expensive than a vaginal birth.
What About the Risks?
When c-sections are done, most women and babies do well. But c-section is a major operation with risks from the surgery itself and from anesthesia.
The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that 1 in 3 babies in the United States are delivered by c-section. Over the past few years, the rate of cesarean birth has increased rapidly. Some health care providers believe that many
c-sections are medically unnecessary. When a woman has a cesarean, the benefits of the procedure should outweigh the risks. For more information, see the article Cesarean Birth by Request.
The Risk of Late Preterm Birth
C-sections may contribute to the growing number of babies who are born “late preterm,” between 34 and 36 weeks gestation. While babies born at this time are usually considered healthy, they are more likely to have medical problems than babies born a few weeks later at full term.
A baby's lungs and brain mature late in pregnancy. Compared to a full-term baby, an infant born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation is more likely to have problems with:
- Breathing
- Feeding
- Maintaining his or her temperature
- Jaundice
It can be hard to pinpoint the date your baby was conceived. Being off by just a week or two can result in a premature birth. This may make a difference in your baby's health. Keep this in mind when scheduling a c-section.
Other Risks for the Baby
Anesthesia: Some babies are affected by the drugs given to the mother for anesthesia during surgery. These medications make the woman numb so she can't feel pain. But they may cause the baby to be inactive or sluggish.
