Maternity

Cesarean Delivery

Cesarean delivery (C-section) is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through incisions in the abdomen and uterus. A C-section might be planned ahead of time if you develop pregnancy complications or you've had a previous C-section and aren't considering a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).

You won't feel any pain during the C-section, although you may feel sensations like pulling and pressure. Most women are awake and simply numbed from the waist down using regional anesthesia (an epidural and/or a spinal block) during a C-section. That way, they are awake to see and hear their baby being born.

The length of time you should wait to get pregnant again after a C-section will depend on several factors. That said, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends waiting at least 12 months for any type of delivery, and this is the minimum.