- A cesarean section is the birth of a baby by surgery.
- You may need a c-section if there are problems with your pregnancy.
- Recovery from a c-section is longer than from a vaginal birth.
You may need a c-section if there are medical problems that put you or your baby in danger. For example, you may need a c-section if your baby is too big to pass through the birth canal, or if the baby is in a breech position (feet first) or a transverse position (shoulder first). The best position for your baby is head first. You may need a c-section if your labor is really slow or if the baby's heart rate slows during labor. Other reasons for a c-section include having problems with the placenta or with the umbilical cord, having an infection that you can pass to your baby during birth, and being pregnant with twins or more. If you've had a c-section in a previous pregnancy, you may need to have one in your next pregnancy. If your pregnancy is healthy and there's no medical reason to have a c-section, it's best to plan for a vaginal birth and wait for labor to start on its own. Ask your provider if there are reasons why you may need to have a c-section.
