caesarean section

(noun)

A caesarean section, also known as C-section, is a surgical procedure in which one or more incisions are made through a mother's abdomen (laparotomy) and uterus (hysterotomy) to deliver one or more babies, or, rarely, to remove a dead fetus.

Related Terms

(noun)

A Caesarean section, (also C-section, Caesarian section, Cesarean section, Caesar, etc.) is a surgical procedure in which one or more incisions are made through a mother's abdomen (laparotomy) and uterus (hysterotomy) to deliver one or more babies, or, rarely, to remove a dead fetus.

Related Terms

Examples of caesarean section in the following topics:

  • Pelvimetry

    • Traditional obstetrical services relied heavily on pelvimetry to decide if natural or operative vaginal delivery was possible or if and when to use a cesarean section.
    • Women whose pelvises were deemed too small received caesarean sections instead of birthing naturally.

  • Abortion

    • Hysterotomy abortion is a procedure similar to a caesarean section and is performed under general anesthesia, but it requires a smaller incision than a caesarean section.

  • Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension

    • Apart from Caesarean section and induction of labor (and therefore delivery of the placenta), there is no known cure.
    • The only known treatments for eclampsia or advancing pre-eclampsia are abortion or delivery, either by labor induction or Caesarean section.

  • Dystocia and Cesarean Section

    • Dystocia is an abnormal or difficult childbirth or labor that may be resolved by manipulation, forceps, suction, or by cesarean section.
    • Physicians learned to perform cesarean sections by practicing the technique on slave women.
    • Oxytocin is commonly used to treat incoordinate uterine activity, but pregnancies complicated by dystocia often end with assisted deliveries, including forceps, ventouse (vacuum-assisted delivery) or, commonly, caesarean section.
    • A cesarean section is usually performed when a vaginal delivery would put the baby or mother's life or health at risk.
    • There are several types of cesarean section (CS).

  • Placenta Previa

    • If the placenta does overlie the lower segment, as is the case with placenta previa, it may shear off and a small section may bleed.

  • Injuries to Nerves Emerging from the Brachial Plexus

    • Obstetric injuries may occur from mechanical injury involving shoulder dystocia during difficult childbirth, the most common of which result from injurious stretching of the child's brachial plexus during birth, mostly vaginal, but occasionally Caesarean section.

  • Barrier Methods

    • Cervical cap users must be fitted with an appropriate sized cap by a health professional, and must be refitted after any duration of pregnancy, whether the pregnancy is aborted, miscarried, or carried to term through vaginal childbirth or caesarean section.

  • Physiological Changes

    • Both underlying thrombophilia and caesarean section can further increase these risks.

  • Stages of Labor

    • Some practitioners may diagnose failure to progress, and consequently, perform a caesarean.

  • Thoracic Cage: Sternum

    • The sternum or breastbone is a long, flat, bony plate connected to the rib bones via cartilage that forms the anterior section of the rib cage.
    • The sternum, or breastbone, is a long, flat, bony plate that forms the most anterior section of the ribcage.
    • During development the sternum is comprised of four individual sections called sternebrae, which fuse to form the sternum in adulthood.