Any of these conditions can result in a cesarean:

Mother

• If you have had a c-section in the past, you may be a candidate for future cesareans.
• If you have a small pelvis and your baby cannot fit through.
• A woman who has any type of health condition that can endanger her health during labor may have a cesarean section.
• A woman who has a health condition that can hurt the baby if delivered vaginally may have a c-section. Examples are AIDS or an active genital herpes infection.
• Your water has broken and labor has not begun within 24 hours.

Baby

• A prolapsed, pinched or compressed umbilical cord.
• If the placenta is covering the cervix, which is called placenta previa, you will be given a cesarean section.
• Fetal distress, such as a decreasing heart rate or lack of oxygen in the bloodstream.
• Some doctors prefer to deliver multiple births by c-section.
• A baby that is diagnosed prenatally with a disease or serious health condition.
• The baby is in a breech position.

Knowing exactly what will happen during your cesarean section will help you to feel more at ease about your baby's delivery.