Caesarean births

A caesarean section is an operation to deliver the baby by making a horizontal cut in the lower part of a woman’s abdomen (along the bikini line) and in the front wall of the womb.

This procedure can be performed as:

• a planned operation – where a medical need for the operation is identified during pregnancy or before labour starts
• an emergency operation – when problems arise before the start of or during labour that requires the imminent birth of the baby.

The following reasons are common indications for being offered a planned caesarean section:

• Placenta praevia
• Two or more previous caesarean sections
• Some cases of twins (where the first twin is not head down) 
• Breech presentation (if external cephalic version ECV is unsuccessful )
• Transverse lie
• Some cases of severe high blood pressure
• Fetal conditions
• Failed induction of labour
• Maternal infection e.g. HIV

We do not routinely offer caesarean sections unless medically necessary. We recognise that for some women being pregnant and planning for birth can be frightening so we use a range of experienced midwives and doctors to provide you with reassurance and support throughout your pregnancy and birth.

If you wish to have further information, a booklet is available in our antenatal clinics.