Health Topics for Pregnancy and Childbirth

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Department of Pediatrics

UI Family Care Center

Iowa Registry for Congenital and Inherited Disorders

Cesarean section

During pregnancy, it is natural to wonder what the birth experience will be like. Most women can and will deliver their baby through the vagina. For varying reasons, a few will have their baby by cesarean section. A cesarean section is an operation. The baby is born through a surgical incision in the mother's abdomen and womb.

Your doctor may decide to deliver your baby by cesarean section for the following reasons:

• If the baby has grown so large that it cannot fit through the birth canal.
• If the baby is showing signs of distress.
• If the baby is not in a safe position to be born through the birth canal. Some babies position with their bottom or feet coming first and cannot be born safely through the birth canal.
• If the placenta (which is known as afterbirth) is attached low in the uterus and blocks the birth canal.
• If you experience pregnancy complications such as extremely high blood pressure or complications caused by diabetes.

Additional reasons for having a cesarean section include:

• a serious infection such as herpes
• an injury to the pelvis or
• a previous cesarean section with a vertical or up-and-down incision

Today, most incisions are horizontal, or across the womb. This allows the muscles in the womb to safely stretch for future childbirth. Many women give birth through the birth canal after a previous cesarean section.

Remember that a cesarean birth is surgery! If you have a cesarean delivery, your abdomen will be sore. You may need help to comfortably position the baby for breast or bottle-feeding. Walking and standing will be painful for the first few days. Since you may only be in the hospital for 2 or 3 days, consider getting help at home for the first week or two.

Women who have given birth by cesarean section sometimes have mixed feelings. They are grateful and happy to have a healthy baby. They may also feel sad the birth experience was not what they hoped for. These are normal feelings.

If you have questions about cesarean birth or vaginal birth after cesarean, ask your healthcare provider.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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