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C-section - Risks

Alternative Names

Abdominal delivery; Abdominal birth; Cesarean section

Risks:

A C-section is a safe procedure. The rate of serious complications is extremely low. However, certain risks are higher after C-section than after vaginal delivery. These include:

Infection of the bladder or uterus
Injury to the urinary tract
Injury to the baby

A C-section may also cause problems in future pregnancies. This includes a higher risk for:

Placenta previa
Placenta growing into the muscle of the uterus and has trouble separating after the baby is born (placenta accreta)
Uterine rupture

All surgeries carry risks. Risks due to anesthesia may include:

Reactions to medications
Problems breathing

Risks related to surgery in general may include:

Bleeding
Blood clots in the leg or pelvic veins
Infection

Cesarean section

C-section - series

Epidural - series

Reviewed last on: 5/2/2008
Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Landon MB. Cesarean delivery. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, ed. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2007: Chap.19.

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