Caesarean section
From Halbeeg, the open encyclopedia · Af-Soomaali
81 languages
A Caesarean section (also called Caesarean birth) is a method of childbirth in which the infant is delivered through an incision made in the mother's abdomen and uterus, rather than through the birth canal. It is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide and is carried out in hospitals and health facilities with surgical and anesthetic capacity.
The procedure uses regional anesthesia—typically administered through a spinal or epidural injection—that leaves the mother conscious but unable to feel pain below the injection site. In acute emergencies, general anesthesia is sometimes required. A planned Caesarean involves an incision low on the abdomen (suprapubic).
Indications
Reasons for Caesarean delivery arise from conditions in which vaginal birth becomes risky or impossible. These include: the infant positioned sideways or buttocks-first (breech), placenta previa (placenta blocking the birth canal), prolonged labor that has stalled, signs of fetal distress, previous uterine incisions carrying risk, multiple births or pregnancies that are anatomically difficult, and maternal conditions that complicate vaginal delivery. Procedures may be scheduled in advance (elective) or performed urgently (emergency).
Risks and recovery
As with any surgical procedure, risks include bleeding, nerve injury, anesthetic complications, and blood clots. Overall recovery is longer than after vaginal delivery, and mothers typically remain hospitalized for several days. Subsequent pregnancies carry small risks including uterine rupture and placental complications. For this reason, personalized medical advice is essential when considering vaginal birth after a previous Caesarean (VBAC).
Rates and health policy debate
Global health authorities note that very low Caesarean rates may indicate inadequate access to life-saving services, while very high rates may suggest surgery is performed without clear medical justification. Variation in rates between countries and between private and public facilities remains a subject of research and health policy.