Babies can enter this world in one of two ways: Pregnant women can have either a vaginal birth or a surgical delivery by Caesarean section, but the ultimate goal is to safely give birth to a healthy baby.

A Cesarean section (C-section) is surgery to deliver a baby. The baby is taken out through the mother's abdomen. In the United States, almost one in three women has their babies this way. Some C-sections are planned, but many are done when unexpected problems happen during delivery

A C-section, or Caesarean section is a surgical procedure to remove baby through an incision in the mother’s abdomen and then a second incision in the uterus.

Some C-sections are considered elective, meaning they are requested by the mother for non-medical reasons before she goes into labor. A woman may choose to have a C-section if she wants to plan when she delivers or if she previously had a complicated vaginal delivery.

Reasons for a C-section may include

• Health problems in the mother
• The mother carrying more than one baby
• The size or position of the baby
• The baby’s health is in danger
• Labor is not moving along as it should

Why isn’t a caesarean offered to every woman?

The majority of women in India give birth vaginally, recover well and have healthy babies. Most women who have a planned caesarean birth will also recover well and have healthy babies. However, there are risks for both you and your baby if you have a planned caesarean birth and it may take longer to recover after your baby is born. Having a caesarean birth is a major operation with risks that should be compared with your risks of a planned vaginal birth.