What Is It? A cesarean section, also called a C-section, is
surgery to deliver a baby through the abdomen. It's used when it
is impossible or not advised to deliver the baby through the
vagina. A C-section sometimes is scheduled in advance, but it
also may be done in an emergency. In the United stated, about
32% of all births are delivered by C-section. The procedure is
done less often in most other countries. For example, about 15%
of births are delivered via C-sections in the Netherlands, and
25% are delivered that way in England, Wales and Canada. What
It's Used For A C-section may be done for reasons related to the
mother's or the baby's health, or conditions related to the
pregnancy or process of labor. Reasons related to a mother's
health that may lead to a C-section include: Past surgeries
involving the uterus. The most common such surgery is a past
C-section. However, many women can try to deliver a baby
vaginally after a previous C-section. Infection. If a mother has
an infection that may be passed o