A caesarean section is an operation to deliver a baby. It involves making a cut in the front wall of a woman’s abdomen (tummy) and womb.
The operation can be:
- a planned (elective) procedure, when a medical need for the operation becomes apparent during pregnancy
- an emergency procedure, when circumstances during labour call for urgent delivery of the baby
A caesarean section is carried out under regional anaesthetic, where the lower part of your body is numbed. It usually takes 30–45 minutes.
Find out more about how a caesarean section is carried out.
When a caesarean might be needed
A caesarean section is usually carried out when a normal vaginal birth could put you or your unborn baby at risk, for example because:
- your labour doesn’t progress naturally
- you go into premature labour
- you have placenta praevia (where the placenta is low lying in the womb and covering part of the womb entrance)
- you have a viral infection, such as a first attack of genital herpes
- your baby is in the breech (feet first) position
Find out more about when a caesarean section is necessary.
Pregnant women are not immediately entitled to a caesarean section if they do not have any physical or mental need for it. If you ask for the operation, you’ll be asked why you’re requesting it and you’ll be given information about the risks and benefits. You should be allowed to have a caesarean if, after discussion and support, you still want to have the operation.
A caesarean section is major surgery and many women opt for a vaginal birth after learning more about what the surgery involves.
New guidelines
In 2011, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published new guidelines on caesarean sections. This aimed to avoid unnecessary operations.
NICE made a few new recommendations:
- Some women who are HIV positive and women who have had a previous birth by caesarean section should be offered the option of a vaginal birth.
- Women should be given antibiotics before surgery (rather than after surgery) to prevent infection.
- If a woman requests a caesarean section because she’s anxious about childbirth, she should be referred to a healthcare professional with expertise in providing mental health support. She should be offered a planned caesarean if, after discussion and support, she still feels a vaginal birth is not an acceptable option.
Read the NICE 2011 guidelines on caesarean section.
Risks
Like any surgery, a caesarean section carries a certain amount of risk, such as the wound becoming infected or the baby developing breathing difficulties. Read more about the risks of a caesarean section.
Recovery
It takes longer to recover from a caesarean section than it does from a vaginal birth. You will typically need to spend three to four days in hospital after surgery. Read more about recovering from a caesarean section.
Abdomen
The abdomen is the part of the body between the chest and the hips.