What is caesarean birth

What is caesarean birth

What is a caesarean?

A caesarean is an operation where your baby is born through a cut made in your abdomen and womb.  

In most cases, the cut is horizontal, across your abdomen just below your bikini line (low transverse incision).

A cross-section illustration of a baby being guided out of the caesarean incision. The baby's head is at the incision opening, it is being guided by a surgeon's gloved hand while their other hand is holding the rest of the belly.

Low transverse incision on abdomen - most common cut:

An illustration of the caesarean incision site on the bikini line of an abdomen.

Low transverse cut into womb to deliver the baby - the usual cut:

An illustration showing where a doctor will cut into the abdomen and womb to perform a caesarean. It is across the bikini line which is at the lower point of the womb.

However, in some cases, a different type of cut might be needed. These cuts include a vertical midline incision which is a longitudinal cut in the middle of the tummy. These are not routinely used but may be required because of a complex surgical indication before birth or complication during the surgery. 

Women and pregnant people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m2 or more may need a higher incision. 

Your Surgeon will discuss the type of incision according to your surgical needs beforehand.

When is caesarean birth an option?

Caesarean birth can be an option before or during labour.

There are different levels of urgency for a caesarean birth: 

  • Planned caesarean birth 

  • Unplanned caesarean birth (with time to discuss options within 72 hours) 

  • Emergency caesarean birth (can be within 30 minutes). 

Read more about when and why a caesarean birth might be an option here

How common are caesareans?

NHS Maternity statistics for England are published every winter. 

The most recent are from 2023-24. In 2023-24 the national caesarean section rate was 42%. Similar proportions of women had caesarean births as spontaneous vaginal births. Further information can be found here. Births - NHS England Digital

In England 44% of women had a caesarean birth in their first pregnancy (2023-2024)

How likely you are to have a caesarean birth depends on your current pregnancy, previous birth experience and personal preferences.

If you have had a vaginal birth before, your chance of caesarean birth is 4 in 100.


An array diagram showing 4 in 100 pregnant people filled in.

The figures in the NICE Caesarean Birth Guideline are out of date. They suggest around 25% to 30% of women have a caesarean birth. The 2023-24 statistics show: 

13 in 100 of women/birthing people will have a planned Caesarean birth.


An array diagram showing 13 in 100 pregnant people filled in.

While 31 in 100 will need unplanned/emergency Caesarean birth


An array diagram showing 31 in 100 pregnant people filled in.

References

  1. NHS Maternity Statistics, England, 2023-24. last accessed 10/03/25. Available from: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-andinformation/publications/statistical/nhs-maternity-statistics/2023-24/births

  2. Jardine J, Blotkamp A, Gurol-Urganci I, Knight H, Harris T, Hawdon J, van der