A caesarean section is an operation to deliver a baby through a cut in the lower abdomen and the womb. It may be planned before labour starts (elective) or decided on during labour (emergency).
Common reasons include a baby lying in the wrong position, a placenta covering the cervix, a previous caesarean, twins or more, labour that is not progressing, or signs that the mother or baby needs to be delivered quickly.
The operation is usually done under spinal anaesthesia, so the mother is awake and can meet her baby straight away; a general anaesthetic is used in some situations. The cut is usually made low and across, just above the pubic hairline.
