Giving birth by caesarean section: elective and emergency caesareans

This article covers:

What is caesarean birth?

What are the different types of caesarean section?

Why might I need a caesarean?

What are the main risks of having a caesarean?

Will I  need a caesarean for future pregnancies?

Further information

What is caesarean birth?

A caesarean section, also known as 'c section', is an operation to deliver a baby by making a surgical cut your abdomen and womb.

Birth by caesarean section is increasingly common. In some parts of the UK, as many as 30% of babies are born by caesarean section, so it helps to know in advance what it involves.

What are the different types of caesarean section?

There are two types of caesarean section.

• Caesareans planned in advance, usually for medical reasons. These are known as ‘elective’ or 'planned' caesareans. 
• Caesareans carried out at short notice, usually during labour. These are known as ‘emergency’ caesareans.

A caesarean might be recommended at any point in pregnancy and labour.

Why might I need a caesarean?

There are a number of different reasons why a caesarean might be necessary or recommended. Read more in our article Reasons for caesarean birth.

What are the main risks of having a caesarean?

Although a caesarean is generally considered to be a safe operation, it is still major abdominal surgery and there are some risks to both you and your baby:

• Vaginal birth is about four times safer for you than having a caesarean section, but in both cases the risk is very small (an elective caesarean is thought to be safer than an emergency one).
• The mother is at risk of haemorrhage (severe bleeding), wound infection, or small blood clots (thrombosis).
• Recovery will take longer than a vaginal delivery, and varies considerably from woman to woman.

One of the long-term effects of the operation is that you will have a scar on your uterus, which may affect future fertility, pregnancies, and births, and complicate any later gynaecological surgery. A few mothers who have had caesareans have been known to suffer long-term pain.

The main risk to babies born by caesarean is that there’s a higher chance of them having breathing difficulties that continue for a while after the birth. The birth process helps a baby to breathe once she is born, as labour prepares the baby’s lungs for breathing. Babies born by caesarean – particularly elective – do not go through this and may be more likely to need to be taken to the neonatal baby unit after birth.

Breathing difficulties due to prematurity can be reduced by waiting until at least 39 weeks of pregnancy to have a caesarean.

Feelings about caesarean

For some women the suggestion of a caesarean section, or the decision to carry out the operation, will come as a welcome relief. If you’ve been given good information about why it’s needed, a caesarean birth can feel like the right option for both you and your baby.

For other women, the prospect of a caesarean can be disappointing or distressing. If you have not been given enough information, or are not convinced of the need for a caesarean, then you may feel that you have no option but to agree, despite your misgivings. Under these circumstances a caesarean birth can be a traumatic experience.

If you do not feel you have been given sufficient information, or you do not understand your circumstances as well as you would like to, do ask for more information. You have a right to a second opinion, and if there is time (for example, if it is being planned in advance) you can seek further information from elsewhere such as caesarean support organisations or the Internet. Read more about decision-making and caesarean birth in our article Reasons for caesarean birth.

Will I need a caesarean for future pregnancies?

A vaginal birth after a previous caesarean birth is usually referred to as a VBAC (pronounced ‘vee back’). Most women who chose to plan a VBAC have a successful vaginal birth. Read our article on VBAC for more information.

Further information

NCT's helpline offers practical and emotional support in all areas of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood: 0300 330 0700. We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby.

NHS Choices offers a section on caesarean birth. 

NICE offers evidence-based information on caesarean. 

The site www.caesarean.org.uk offers research-based information and support on all aspects of caesareans and vaginal birth following caesarean section.

The book Caesarean Birth – Your Questions Answered  is available from NCT Sales.