Children are naturally born through vaginal delivery. A cesarean section, on the other hand, refers to the surgical method. Today, about 30 percent of babies are born via "Sectio caesarea"—the technical term for cesarean delivery—which means nearly one in three children.
Here you’ll find further information as well as a selection of cesarean section specialists and centers.
The term “Sectio caesarea,” or “Sectio” for short, comes from Latin. A cesarean section is a surgical procedure to deliver a baby without passing through the birth canal naturally.
It is also possible to distinguish between primary and secondary cesarean sections. In the case of a primary cesarean section, it is already clear before birth that a natural (vaginal) delivery is not possible or that the mother refuses it.
A secondary cesarean section means that a vaginal delivery would endanger the well-being of the mother and child.
In most cases, the obstetrician decides whether to perform a cesarean section for delivery. Various medical reasons may warrant a cesarean delivery.
Here is an overview of the possible reasons for a cesarean section.
Various anesthesia methods may be used for a cesarean section:
The latter is generally used only in emergencies. However, general anesthesia may also be appropriate in rare cases when local anesthesia does not provide sufficient pain relief. During a cesarean section performed under local anesthesia, the expectant father may be present once the expectant mother is confirmed to be pain-free.
Before the woman is taken to the operating room, a nurse or midwife shaves her pubic hair and inserts a urinary catheter. The latter is usually not painful; the expectant mother may feel a slight tugging sensation. After she has been wheeled into the operating room, she is prepared for anesthesia.
Local anesthesia eliminates the risks associated with general anesthesia. During the procedure, the expectant mother feels only slight pressure and touch. The sensation of pain, however, is largely blocked.
A privacy screen is set up between the chest and abdomen so that the expectant parents cannot see the surgical field. The screen also provides additional protection against germs.
A cesarean section requires a larger incision above the pubic area © fotoatelier.hamburg | AdobeStock
A horizontal incision is made above the pubic bone (in the “bikini zone”), and the abdominal wall is then opened layer by layer. The baby is lifted out of the uterus, and the umbilical cord is cut immediately.
The mother or parents can see their newborn immediately. The midwife then provides initial care. A pediatrician is usually present only in cases of a secondary cesarean section, fetal abnormalities, or preterm birth.
Finally, the placenta is removed, and the uterine cavity is examined to ensure that the placenta has been completely removed.
An emergency cesarean section is different. It is necessary when the life of the mother and/or child is in danger. In such cases, there is no time to lose, which is why an emergency cesarean section is always performed under general anesthesia.
After the surgery, the mother is first monitored for a few hours in the delivery room or the recovery room. If everything is fine, she can breastfeed her baby for the first time.
After about two hours, she is taken to her room. She will spend—as is currently the norm—the next three to five days in the maternity ward.
At home, she will receive regular visits from her postpartum midwife. The midwife checks not only on the baby but also on the C-section scar and provides care as needed. After about six to eight weeks (once the postpartum period is over), she will have a follow-up examination with her gynecologist.
If the cesarean delivery proceeded without further complications, mothers usually recover quite quickly. However, they should still take it easy for a few more weeks, avoid heavy lifting, and refrain from exercising.
Possible complications following a cesarean section include:
In the vast majority of cases, the scar heals without complications. Some mothers struggle with depressive moods in the first few weeks. This can affect the mother-child bond.
Babies born via cesarean section may initially have difficulty adjusting or experience problems with breastfeeding. However, both the emotional challenges and the baby’s initial difficulties are usually temporary.
Contact your doctor or midwife if you experience any problems following your cesarean section.
Every physician listed in the Leading Medicine Guide has attained the highest level of training and certification within their respective medical specialty society. Furthermore, we contacted this physician based, among other factors, on their case volume (surgeries, treatments, and therapies), which we determined by cross-referencing various publicly available sources. Following discussions with the selected physicians and the directors of the medical facilities, as well as a subsequent internal review, they were admitted to the Leading Medicine Guide.
The quality assurance of the Leading Medicine Guide is further ensured by 8 admission criteria. Each member must meet at least 6 of them:
