Types of delivery

Most babies are born in a vaginal delivery. But in some cases, a cesarean birth may be necessary.

Vaginal birth

During labor, the uterus contracts regularly to thin and open (efface and dilate) the cervix and push the baby out through the birth canal. It can take many hours or days for the cervix to open all the way so you can begin pushing.

Cesarean birth

A cesarean section (or “C-section”) is the delivery of a baby through a cut (incision) in the mother’s belly and uterus. In most cases, a woman can be awake during the birth and be with her newborn soon afterward.

A C-section may be planned or unplanned. In most cases, doctors do cesarean sections because of problems that arise during labor.

Most babies are born in a vaginal delivery. But in some cases, other types of delivery occur by choice or because of an emergency.

Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)

In the past, a woman who had one C-section delivery had to have all of her subsequent babies by C-section. But depending on the reason for your first C-section and the type of incision that was made, you may be able to deliver your next baby vaginally. Speak with your physician or midwife to see if VBAC is right for you.