Editing Childbirth (section)

===Caesarean section===
{{Main|Caesarean section|delivery after previous caesarean section}}

Caesarean section is the removal of the [[neonate]] through a surgical incision in the abdomen, rather than through vaginal birth.  During the procedure the patient is usually numbed with an epidural or a spinal block, but general anaesthesia can be used as well. A cut is made in the patient's abdomen and then in the uterus to remove the baby.<ref name="Cesarean_rates_childbirth_connection">{{cite web |title= Rates for total cesarean section, primary cesarean section, and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), United States, 1989–2010 |url= http://www.childbirthconnection.org/pdfs/cesarean-section-trends.pdf |series= Relentless Rise in Cesarian Rate |work= [[Childbirth Connection]] website |date= August 2012 |publisher= <!-- American Pregnancy Association website --> |author= <!-- American Pregnancy Association website --> |access-date= 29 August 2013 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130217122109/http://www.childbirthconnection.org/pdfs/cesarean-section-trends.pdf |archive-date= 17 February 2013 }}</ref> Before the 1970s, once a woman delivered one baby via C-section, it was recommended that all of her future babies be delivered by C-section, but that recommendation has changed. Unless there is some other indication, mothers can attempt a trial of labour and most are able to have a [[Delivery after previous caesarean section|vaginal birth after C-section]] (VBAC).<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Trojano |first1=Giuseppe |last2=Damiani |first2=Gianluca Raffaello |last3=Olivieri |first3=Claudiana |last4=Villa |first4=Mario |last5=Malvasi |first5=Antonio |last6=Alfonso |first6=Raffaello |last7=Loverro |first7=Matteo |last8=Cicinelli |first8=Ettore |date=6 September 2019 |title=VBAC: antenatal predictors of success |journal=Acta Bio-Medica: Atenei Parmensis |volume=90 |issue=3 |pages=300–309 |doi=10.23750/abm.v90i3.7623 |issn=2531-6745 |pmc=7233729 |pmid=31580319}}</ref> Induced births and elective cesarean before 39 weeks can be harmful to the neonate as well as harmful or without benefit to the mother. Therefore, many guidelines recommend against non-medically required induced births and elective cesarean before 39 weeks.<ref name="urlwww.patientsafetycouncil.org">{{Cite web |title=Elimination of Non-medically Indicated (Elective) Deliveries Before 39 Weeks Gestational Age |edition=1st |website=Patient Safety Council |publisher=[[March of Dimes]] |vauthors=Main E, Oshiro B, Chagolla B, Bingham D, Dang-Kilduff L, Kowalewski L |date=July 2010 |access-date=29 August 2013 |url=http://www.patientsafetycouncil.org/uploads/MOD_39_Weeks_Toolkit.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121120003529/http://www.patientsafetycouncil.org/uploads/MOD_39_Weeks_Toolkit.pdf |archive-date=20 November 2012 }}</ref>

The WHO recommends a C-section rate of between 10 and 15% because C-sections rates higher than 10% are not associated with a decrease in morbidity and mortality.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=January 2015 |title=WHO Statement on caesarean section rates |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rhm.2015.07.007 |journal=Reproductive Health Matters |volume=23 |issue=45 |pages=149–150 |doi=10.1016/j.rhm.2015.07.007 |pmid=26278843 |issn=0968-8080|last1=World Health Organization Human Reproduction Programme |first1=10 April 2015 |hdl=11343/249912 |s2cid=40829330 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> In 2018, a group of medical professionals called the rates of increase around the world "alarming".  In a ''Lancet'' report, C-sections were found to have more than tripled from about 6% of all births to 21%.  In a statement by the maternal and child health organisation, the [[March of Dimes]], the increase is largely due to an increase of elective C-sections rather than when it is really necessary or indicated.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rate Of C-Sections Is Rising At An 'Alarming' Rate, Report Says |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2018/10/12/656198429/rate-of-c-sections-is-rising-at-an-alarming-rate |website=NPR |date=12 October 2018 |access-date=16 March 2023 |archive-date=16 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316180601/https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2018/10/12/656198429/rate-of-c-sections-is-rising-at-an-alarming-rate |url-status=live |last1=Doucleff |first1=Michaeleen }}</ref>