Definition

Noun: 1. A surgical procedure for childbirth: A method of delivering a baby through a surgical incision made in the mother's abdomen and uterus, rather than through the vaginal canal. * Etymology Note: The term is popularly believed to derive from the birth of Julius Caesar, though historical evidence for this is debated.

Usage

This term is used in medical and general contexts to describe a specific type of childbirth. It is often shortened informally to "C-section." * Medical Context: "The obstetrician recommended a caesarean delivery due to fetal distress." * General Context: "After a long labor, she ultimately had a caesarean delivery."

Examples

• The planned caesarean delivery was scheduled for 39 weeks.
• Emergency caesarean deliveries are sometimes necessary to ensure the safety of the mother and baby.
• Recovery time after a caesarean delivery is typically longer than after a vaginal birth.

Advanced Usage

• "Elective caesarean delivery": A C-section performed by request or for non-emergency medical reasons, rather than due to an urgent complication during labor.
• "Classical caesarean delivery": A specific, older surgical technique involving a vertical incision on the uterus. This is less common today.

Variants and Related Words

• Caesarean section (C-section) (n.): The most common synonym and abbreviated form.
• Caesarean birth (n.): A synonymous term focusing on the event of birth.
• Abdominal delivery (n.): A more clinical synonym describing the surgical approach.
• Vaginal delivery (n.): The antonym, referring to a birth that occurs through the birth canal.

Synonyms

• C-section
• Caesarean section
• Abdominal delivery
• Surgical delivery

Related Phrases

• To deliver by caesarean (section): The verbal phrase describing the action.
  • Example: "The baby was delivered by caesarean section."
• To have a caesarean: The common informal phrase used by patients.
  • Example: "She had to have a caesarean with her first child."

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)