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6 things to know about having a C-section

Surgical deliveries account for over one-third of all births in the U.S.

Updated on March 20, 2024

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According to the latest statistics, around 32 percent of all births in the United States are C-sections, for a variety of reasons ranging from the parent’s personal preference to the position of the fetus, to saving the life of both parent and baby.

We spoke with Reut Bardach, MD, an OBGYN with Medical City of Trinity in Trinity, Florida, to find out what you need to knowShow More

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You'll likely be awake during a c-section

If you have a C-section, you will probably be awake and alert during the procedure—though each case is different. Most often, the body is numbed below the waist using regional anesthesia (which affects a part or region of the body), such as an epidural, spinal block, or both.

A spinal block is aShow More

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C-sections are sometimes safer than vaginal deliveries

Though patient or surgeon may sometimes schedule a C-section out of personal preference, C-sections are typically performed when a vaginal birth is deemed high-risk. These scenarios may include:

  • The fetus is in a breech position, or feet first
  • The pregnant person has had previous C-sections
  • Twins,
  • Show More
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There are some risks to C-sections

Most obstetricians perform hundreds or thousands of these surgeries, making them routine. But like any major surgery, C-sections do come with some risks.   "Although it definitely poses some risk of complication, most surgeons are very comfortable and confident performing C-sections, soShow More

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The Type of Scar Will Depend on Your Surgery

As with any surgery that involves incisions,  a C-section will leave you with a scar, though the placement depends on many factors, such as the position of the fetus. The most common type of incision is called a "bikini incision" and it is done horizontally, just above the pubic hairline, inShow More

parent with newborn baby
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Vaginal birth after a C-section is possible

Just because you’ve had a C-section for one delivery does not necessarily mean you will need to have another C-section if you have more children in the future. According to recent data, more than 13 percent of people who have had a C-section were able to have a successful vaginal birth afterShow More

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You'll need help during recovery

Recovering from a C-section takes time and rest—it is, after all, major abdominal surgery. "Postoperatively a lot of people need assistance, and having supportive family and friends is a huge benefit," Bardach says.

It generally takes longer to recover from a C-section than a vaginal delivery, andShow More

Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Method of Delivery. Last reviewed June 8, 2023.
American Academy of Dermatology Association. Keloid Scares: Overview. Last updated August 30, 2022.
Mayo Clinic. Uterine incisions used during C-sections. Accessed September 18, 2023.
Osterman MJK. Recent Trends in Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Delivery: United States, 2016-2018. NCHS Data Brief. 2020 Mar;(359):1-8.

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