Caesarean section, or C-section as it is commonly known, is a surgical method of delivery of a baby through an incision made in the mother’s abdomen and into the uterus instead of delivery through the vagina. It has been in practice for centuries throughout the world.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that C-sections accounted for about 29 percent of all deliveries in the United States during 2004 – the highest rate ever reported. This number includes women who have a C-section for the first time and those who have a repeat procedure with a second or third child.

Some health experts believe that this form of delivery is overused, often because the patient requests a Caesarean that is not medically necessary. Such “Caesarean on demand” procedures place the mother and her baby at unnecessary risk for surgical or delivery-related complications. The World Health Organization recommends that Caesarean rates should be no higher than 10 to 15 percent in any country.

There are many reasons for an obstetrician to recommend the use of a Caesarean delivery. Most reasons are related to the status of the baby, while others have to do with the mother. Some of the most common reasons include abnormal presentation (such as when the baby is in the breech position), fetal distress (the baby’s heart rate is too slow or too rapid), multiple births, prolonged or ineffective labor, or maternal health. Unlike a vaginal delivery, a Caesarean section is considered major abdominal surgery. This entire procedure normally lasts 45 minutes to an hour, although the baby is typically born in the first five to 10 minutes.

A hospital stay of three to five days following the C-section is normally required. It may take the mother as much as four to six weeks to fully resume normal activities.

As with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks to having a C-section and the recovery time is longer than with vaginal birth. However, serious complications are rare for mother and baby.