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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

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cesarean section Cesarean section

There has been a significant increase in cesarean section deliveries in recent decades, which made up 32.3% of deliveries in 2023, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 3, 2026

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

Dr. Barry Brock, a longtime physician who has advertised his low rate of cesarean section births, has had his hospital privileges terminated and the matter reported to the Medical Board of California, according to Cedars-Sinai.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2024

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

Those facilities transfer any woman who may need a cesarean section to a hospital, said Kate Bauer, executive director of the American Association of Birth Centers.

From New York Times ● Jun. 15, 2024

The Evidence Based Birth article, “Evidence on: Doulas,” shows the support of a birth doula can reduce stress, reduce use of pain-relief medications, increase vaginal births and lower rates of medical interventions including Cesarean section.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 10, 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

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

Baldwin reports a case of Cesarean section on a typical rachitic dwarf of twenty-four, who weighed 100 pounds and was only 47 1/2 inches tall.

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