Labor and Delivery
Types of Delivery
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
During labor, the uterus contracts regularly to Reference 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 is the delivery of a baby through a cut (incision) in the mother's belly and uterus. It is often called a C-section. 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. For more information, see the topic Reference Cesarean Section.
Vaginal birth after cesarean
In the past, a woman who had one C-section delivery had to have all of her other 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.
For more information, see the topic Reference Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC).
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference November 2, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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