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  cesarean section

  A surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus, performed to deliver a fetus.
• Cesarean section
  Cesarean section

  Childbirth by surgical removal of the fetus through an incision made in the wall of the abdomen and in the uterus, usually used as an alternative when natural delivery through the vagina is considered risky. The number of Cesarean sections in the United States has increased sharply in recent years, causing concern among patients, surgeons, and insurers.

cesarean section

Scientific  

/ sĭ-zâr′ē-ən /

1. A surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus, performed to deliver a fetus.

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Cesarean section Cultural  

1. Childbirth by surgical removal of the fetus through an incision made in the wall of the abdomen and in the uterus, usually used as an alternative when natural delivery through the vagina is considered risky. The number of Cesarean sections in the United States has increased sharply in recent years, causing concern among patients, surgeons, and insurers.

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The term derives from the traditional belief that Julius Caesar was born by this method.

The procedure is often referred to colloquially as a “C-section.”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cesarean section Cesarean section

But after 25 hours of laboring at home, including five hours of pushing, Rae, then 38, was transferred to the hospital where she had an emergency cesarean section.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 3, 2026

Besides delayed introduction of allergenic foods, other risk factors include cesarean section births and antibiotic exposure, according to Hill.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2025

According to the article in Time, all three wolves were born by planned cesarean section to minimise the risk of complications.

From BBC ● Apr. 8, 2025

When Siming Zhu gave birth to her daughter via cesarean section, she didn’t go home after leaving the hospital.

From Slate ● Jul. 13, 2024

Olympian Allyson Felix, who developed pre-eclampsia during her first pregnancy and had to have an emergency cesarean section at 32 weeks.

From New York Times ● May 1, 2024

Physicians warned her that continuing the pregnancy put her at high risk of developing gestational diabetes and hypertension—and that a third Cesarean section might also deprive Cox of the ability to have another child.

From Slate ● Dec. 8, 2023

An experienced obstetrician and gynecologist, Greg Walker Sr. completed a successful Cesarean section — which requires incisions in the uterus and abdomen to deliver a child.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 20, 2021

Derek Clarke, the doctor listed on the hospital discharge document, delivered Lynndaya by Cesarean section.

From Reuters ● Dec. 7, 2015

But he pointed out that aspiration can be an issue if an emergency Cesarean section is required due to fetal distress.

From US News ● Oct. 24, 2015

In a communication to Croston, Harris remarked that this was the first successful Cesarean section for double monstrous conception in America, and added that in 1881 Collins and Leidy performed the same operation without success.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)