Definition

Noun: A surgical procedure for childbirth in which incisions are made through a person's abdominal wall and uterus to deliver one or more babies. This is an alternative to vaginal delivery, typically performed when vaginal birth is considered unsafe or not possible.

Usage

This term is a formal and technical medical term. It is primarily used in clinical, surgical, and academic contexts to describe the specific method of delivery. * The medical team determined that an abdominal delivery was the safest option for the mother and baby. * The patient's history of two previous abdominal deliveries was a key factor in the birth plan.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase "by abdominal delivery" is often used to specify the method.
  • The twins were born by abdominal delivery at 38 weeks.

Variants and Related Words

• Cesarean section (C-section) (n.): The most common and modern synonym for "abdominal delivery." This is the standard term in contemporary medical and everyday language.
• Cesarean birth (n.): Another common synonym focusing on the birth event itself.
• Laparotomy (n.): A broader surgical term for an incision into the abdominal cavity, which is part of the procedure for an abdominal delivery.

Synonyms

• Cesarean section
• C-section
• Cesarean birth
• Surgical delivery

Notes on Meaning

The reference to Julius Caesar in some definitions is etymological folklore. The term "Cesarean" is likely derived from the Latin verb caedere, meaning "to cut," rather than directly from the historical figure. The modern term has no connection to the method of Julius Caesar's birth.

Noun

1. the delivery of a fetus by surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus (from the belief that Julius Caesar was born that way)