What Is a Cesarean Delivery?
Most women plan on a normal vaginal birth, but a Cesarean delivery is always a possibility. With a Cesarean, the baby is delivered through an incision made in the mother’s abdominal wall and uterus. The illustration on page 301 shows a Cesarean delivery. Common names for this type of surgery are C-section, Cesarean section and Cesarean delivery. C-sections are done for many reasons. The most common reason for having a C-section is a previous Cesarean delivery. However, some women who have had C-sections can have a vaginal delivery with later pregnancies; this is called vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC). See the discussion on page 303. Discuss the matter with your doctor if you’ve had a C-section and would like to attempt a vaginal delivery this time. There is some risk that the surgical scar from an earlier C-section could stretch and pull apart during subsequent labor and delivery, with serious consequences. In this case, a repeat C-section may be advised to avoid rupture of the ute
