Certain complications during birth may require the need for a Caesarean delivery. This may include: fetal distress, health problems with mother, cervical dystocia (cervix fails to dilate), or undesirable positioning of the baby. Your healthcare provider may suggest that you schedule a planned C-section if the placenta is covering the cervical opening, known as placenta previa. Other reasons for a planned Caesarean include multiples (i.e., twins), severe preeclampsia, or a breeched baby. A subsequent birth to a C-section delivery may also require a C-section especially if there is a lack of medical emergency support in your community, if your previous C-section was a vertical incision (which increases risk of uterine rupture), or if you had two consecutive Caesarean deliveries and no vaginal deliveries. For the majority of women it is possible to have a vaginal deliver following a C-section delivery, this is termed VBAC – vaginal birth after caesarean.

For more on childbirth and postpartum care see this page.