--- title: "Risks of C-Section Births | Sutter Health" description: "Do C-section births have increased risks for me and my baby?" url: "/ask-an-expert/answers/risks-of-c-section-births-1051061537" --- 1. Home / 2. Risks of C-Section Births # Risks of C-Section Births * * * Medically reviewed by - Robert Altman, M.D. ## Question Do C-section births have increased risks for me and my baby? ## Answer Although a Caesarean (C-section) birth is sometimes the best option for the health of mother and baby, there can be additional risks associated with this major surgical procedure. Any major surgery carries the risk of blood loss, the possibility of infection, and reactions to anesthesia. Also, recovery from a C-section generally takes longer than a vaginal birth and the new mother will be experiencing discomfort as the surgical incision heals. Specific risks for the mother may include: - Pain following surgery and during recovery - Infection of the incision site, the urinary tract, the uterus, and the bloodstream - Blood clots in the pelvic and leg veins - Hemorrhage - the average blood loss during a C-section is twice that of a vaginal birth - Injury to the bladder, uterus, ovaries or intestines - Scar tissue formation - Adverse reaction to the anesthesia used - Complications with future pregnancies including placenta previa, placenta accreta and/or the need for additional cesarean sections - In some cases, the need to remove the uterus For the baby, risks may include: - Breathing issues, including tachypnea, where a baby breathes abnormally fast the first days following birth - Laceration to the baby's scalp As with all medical procedures, there is a risk-to-benefit ratio. There is no doubt that for some deliveries that involve other risks to mother and baby, a C-section birth is the healthiest option available. ## Explore related topics PregnancyC-Section ## Related questions View all questions - Health Q&A ### Recovery from a C-Section Does recovery time after a C-section differ from a vaginal birth? - Health Q&A ### Vaginal Birth vs C-Section I am afraid of having a vaginal birth. Can I request a C-section delivery? - Health Q&A ### Avoiding a C-Section Birth Are there ways that I can help avoid a C-section delivery? - Health Q&A ### Bonding with Baby After C-Section After a C-section birth, how long will I have to wait before I can bond with my child (breastfeeding, skin-on-skin contact, holding my baby)? - Health Q&A ### Vaginal Birth After a C-Section? If I have a C-section with my first pregnancy, does that mean I will have to have one for any future pregnancies? View all questions ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/risks-of-c-section-births-1051061537#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Risks of C-Section Births"}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/risks-of-c-section-births-1051061537#medicalwebpage","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/risks-of-c-section-births-1051061537","name":"Risks of C-Section Births","description":"Although a Caesarean (C-section) birth is sometimes the best option for the health of mother and baby, there can be additional risks associated with this major surgical procedure.","inLanguage":"en-US","medicalAudience":{"@type":"MedicalAudience","audienceType":"Patient"},"isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/risks-of-c-section-births-1051061537#breadcrumblist"},"mainEntity":{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/risks-of-c-section-births-1051061537#question","name":"Risks of C-Section Births","text":"Do C-section births have increased risks for me and my baby?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/risks-of-c-section-births-1051061537#answer","text":"Although a Caesarean (C-section) birth is sometimes the best option for the health of mother and baby, there can be additional risks associated with this major surgical procedure. Any major surgery carries the risk of blood loss, the possibility of infection, and reactions to anesthesia. Also, recovery from a C-section generally takes longer than a vaginal birth and the new mother will be experiencing discomfort as the surgical incision heals. Specific risks for the mother may include: Pain following surgery and during recovery Infection of the incision site, the urinary tract, the uterus, and the bloodstream Blood clots in the pelvic and leg veins Hemorrhage - the average blood loss during a C-section is twice that of a vaginal birth Injury to the bladder, uterus, ovaries or intestines Scar tissue formation Adverse reaction to the anesthesia used Complications with future pregnancies including placenta previa, placenta accreta and/or the need for additional cesarean sections In some cases, the need to remove the uterus For the baby, risks may include: Breathing issues, including tachypnea, where a baby breathes abnormally fast the first days following birth Laceration to the baby's scalp As with all medical procedures, there is a risk-to-benefit ratio. There is no doubt that for some deliveries that involve other risks to mother and baby, a C-section birth is the healthiest option available.","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/risks-of-c-section-births-1051061537","author":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/risks-of-c-section-births-1051061537#expert"}}},"publisher":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization"},"reviewedBy":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/risks-of-c-section-births-1051061537#expert"}} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/risks-of-c-section-births-1051061537#expert","name":"Robert Altman","honorificSuffix":"M.D."} ```