Caesarean section

Surgical operation to deliver a baby by way of an incision in the mother's abdominal and uterine walls. It may be recommended for almost any obstetric complication implying a threat to mother or baby.

Caesarean section was named after the Roman emperor Julius Caesar, who was said to have been born this way. In medieval Europe, it was performed mostly in attempts to save the life of a child whose mother had died in labour. The Christian Church forbade cutting open the mother before she was dead.

In 2003 27% of all deliveries in the USA were by Caesarian section.