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Advice for Women About Cesarean and Vaginal Birth


As early as possible in pregnancy:
  • learn about c-section and vaginal birth: c-section offers important benefits in selected circumstances; however, without a clear, well-supported reason for having this surgical procedure, vaginal birth is likely to be far safer for mothers and babies
  • set your goals, considering what you learn and your values and preferences
  • take action to help reach your goals.
For help with all three steps, see resources on this website: Your choice of maternity caregiver and place of birth may be the most important thing you can do to influence the care that you will receive. "Practice style" varies widely. Choose wisely, and be sure that you will get support for your goals. A provider's caution about use of cesarean and a rate well below the national average (well below 30%) are good signs. Enthusiasm for c-sections and a rate around or above the national average are cause for concern (apart from a high-risk specialist caring primarily for mothers and babies with very serious problems).

Arranging for continuous labor support can help you avoid an unnecessary c-section.

The booklet What Every Pregnant Woman Needs to Know About Cesarean Section (PDF) can help you set and reach your goals. It has a section with many tips to help you avoid an unnecessary c-section and have a safe vaginal birth. If this is your goal, it is important to become informed as early as possible and make and carry out your plans due to the current climate where more and more cesareans are being performed. You can also download Vaginal Birth and Cesarean Birth: How Do the Risks Compare? (PDF), the companion at-a-glance summary.

For most pregnant women who had a c-section in the past, a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is a reasonable choice. If this is your goal, it is very important to become informed as early as possible, plan ahead and put care arrangements into place. To learn more, decide and take action, see Should I choose VBAC or repeat c-section?.

You may have heard that vaginal birth is harmful, and a c-section will prevent incontinence later in life. There are many problems with this line of thinking. Before undergoing major abdominal surgery for this reason, get the facts: Finally, understand and be prepared to exercise your maternity rights, including your right to informed consent and informed refusal.
Most recent page update: 2/22/2007
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Childbirth Connection is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1918 as Maternity Center Association. Our mission is to improve the quality and value of maternity care through consumer engagement and health system transformation. Childbirth Connection promotes safe, effective and satisfying evidence-based maternity care and is a voice for the needs and interests of childbearing families.
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Listening to MothersSM III: New Mothers Speak Out (June 2013) reports on new national surveys about issues women face in the postpartum period and their views about maternity care.
Access the full report and supplementary materials

Listening to MothersSM III (May 2013) is the third national survey exploring women's experiences in pregnancy and childbirth. Commissioned by Childbirth Connection, conducted by Harris Interactive, and funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the survey polled 2,400 women who gave birth in U.S. hospitals from 2011 to 2012. Results show that medically intensive experiences are typical, and evidence-based practices are underutilized. Childbearing women need better support and knowledge to navigate their maternity care.
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