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).Scheduleyourappointmentnowforsafein-personcare.Learnmore:MayoClinicfactsaboutcoronavirusdisease2019(COVID-19)Our COVID-19patient andvisitorguidelines,plustrustedhealthinformationLateston COVID-19vaccination bysite:ArizonapatientvaccinationupdatesArizona,FloridapatientvaccinationupdatesFlorida,RochesterpatientvaccinationupdatesRochesterandMayoClinicHealthSystempatientvaccinationupdatesMCHSSkiptositenavigationSkiptoContentThiscontentdoesnothaveanEnglishversion.ThiscontentdoesnothaveanArabicversion.SectionsforC-sectionAboutDoctors&DepartmentsPrintOverviewCesareandelivery(C-section)isasurgicalprocedureusedtodeliverababythroughincisionsintheabdomenanduterus.AC-sectionmightbeplannedaheadoftimeifyoudeveloppregnancycomplicationsoryou'vehadapreviousC-sectionandaren'tconsideringavaginalbirthaftercesarean(VBAC).Often,however,theneedforafirst-timeC-sectiondoesn'tbecomeobviousuntillaborisunderway.Ifyou'repregnant,knowingwhattoexpectduringaC-section—bothduringtheprocedureandafterward—canhelpyouprepare.Products&ServicesBook:MayoClinicFamilyHealthBook,5thEditionBook:MayoClinicGuidetoaHealthyPregnancyNewsletter:MayoClinicHealthLetter—DigitalEditionShowmoreproductsfromMayoClinicWhyit'sdoneSometimesaC-sectionissaferforyouoryourbabythanisavaginaldelivery.YourhealthcareprovidermightrecommendaC-sectionif:Yourlaborisn'tprogressing.StalledlaborisoneofthemostcommonreasonsforaC-section.Stalledlabormightoccurifyourcervixisn'topeningenoughdespitestrongcontractionsoverseveralhours.Yourbabyisindistress.Ifyourhealthcareproviderisconcernedaboutchangesinyourbaby'sheartbeat,aC-sectionmightbethebestoption.Yourbabyorbabiesareinanabnormalposition.AC-sectionmightbethesafestwaytodeliverthebabyifhisorherfeetorb