Cesarean delivery is also know as a (  cesarean section or C-section. It is  the surgical delivery of a baby by an incision through the mother’s abdomen and uterus. This procedure is done when it is determined to be a safer method than vaginal delivery  for the mother, baby or both.

Reasons why you may need a cesarean delivery

If a mother is not able to deliver vaginally, the baby is surgically delivered through a c-section. Some c-sections are planned or scheduled while others are done as a result of problems arising during labor.

Some of the conditions that make a cesarean delivery more likely include the following :

• Abnormal fetal heart rate
• Abnormal position of the baby such as legs down instead of the normal head down ( breech position ) .
• Fetal distress
• Genetic disorders like excess fluid in the brain
• Labor that fails to progress or does not progress normally.
• Baby is too large to be delivered vaginally .
• Placental complications such as placenta previa or placental abruption.
• Certain maternal conditions such as diabetes or  high blood pressure .
• Active herpes lesions in the mother’s vagina or cervix
• Carrying multiples
• Previous cesarean delivery

There may be other reasons for your doctor to recommend a cesarean.