Having your baby by c-section A cesarean section (also called
c-section) is surgery in which your baby is born through a cut
that your doctor makes in your belly and womb (uterus). For some
women and babies, a c-section is safer than vaginal birth. You
and your provider may plan for a c-section. Or you may need to
have an emergency (unplanned) c-section because of a problem
that happens during pregnancy or labor. If you’re planning to
schedule your c-section, wait until at least 39 weeks. This
gives your baby the time he needs in the womb to grow and
develop. Most women and babies recover well from c-sections. But
keep in mind that it’s a major surgery that has risks. It takes
about 4 to 6 weeks for mom to fully recover from a c-section.
Recovery from a vaginal birth is shorter. Also, the hospital
stay for a vaginal birth is 2 days. But with a c-section, you’ll
probably stay 3 to 4 days in the hospital. A c-section may
affect the health of your future pregnancies, too. There’s a
greater risk of pregnancy comp