A cesarean section, or c-section, is the delivery of a baby through a surgical incision in the mother’s abdomen and uterus. In certain circumstances, a c-section is scheduled in advance. In others, it is done in response to an unforeseen complication that would put the baby or mother at risk. This may include obstructed labor, twin pregnancy, maternal hypertension, breech birth, or problems with the placenta or umbilical cord.
A normal cesarean section surgery takes 1-2 hours.
A c-section is major abdominal surgery, so it is riskier than a vaginal delivery. Moms who have c-sections are more likely to have an infection, excessive bleeding, blood clots, more postpartum pain, a longer hospital stay, and a significantly longer recovery. Injuries to the bladder or bowel, although very rare, are also more common.