Cesarean Section: what you need to know about c-section

How can I make sense of what I hear about cesarean section and vaginal birth?

• why a c-section might be recommended and why the U.S. c-section rate has been climbing steadily
• research comparing risks of cesarean section and vaginal birth: summary of lessons from hundreds of studies about risks for mothers and babies - both physical and emotional, as well as shorter- and longer-term effects, including impact on mothers and babies in any future pregnancies
• tips for lowering risk and increasing satisfaction when giving birth, including important steps to take early in pregnancy, and
• vaginal birth and cesarean section resources: websites, books, and organizations for learning more, making choices and making plans
• a look at cesarean trends with graphs and links comparing primary c-section and VBAC
• the rising national cesarean rate and how it has exceeded what the World Health Organization has deemed as safe
• birth charges (costs) by location and mode of birth: a revealing look at the high cost of cesarean section.

Why should I learn about how cesarean section compares with vaginal birth?

Is c-section a special concern for certain women?

• If you are expecting your first baby: As a first-time expectant mother, you have the greatest opportunity to determine the kind of birth you will have, and many options are open to you. In a very real sense, when you make plans for this first baby, you are making plans for all your babies. For example, if you have a cesarean for this birth, you probably will have a cesarean for any and all future babies because it is becoming increasingly difficult to find caregivers and hospitals that support VBAC ("vee-back," vaginal birth after cesarean). If you have a cesarean now, you may thus have fewer options in any future pregnancies, and you and your babies may face extra risks of repeated cesareans. If your first birth is not a c-section, your likelihood of having vaginal births in the future is high.
• If you plan a large family: The likelihood of certain life-threatening complications that may affect both you and any future babies goes up as the number of c-sections goes up.
• If you are an older pregnant woman: Women having first babies in their 30s are much more likely to have them by c-section than younger women. Many of these excess c-sections are due to non-medical factors, such as the false belief that planned c-section is always safer for babies.
• If you have had previous abdominal or pelvic surgery: Every operation increases the amount of internal scar tissue (adhesions) and therefore the problems adhesions can cause. These problems include chronic pain and a twisted and blocked bowel. In addition, when there are adhesions further surgery is more difficult and more likely to result in injuries to organs or blood vessels.

Will cesarean section protect my pelvic floor from weakness or injury?

What if I have already had a c-section?