Final answer:
Cesarean birth, also known as a C-section, is a surgical delivery of the baby through a procedure called a Caesarian section. It is performed when vaginal birth is not possible or safe for the mother or the baby. It is primarily performed for the benefit of the mother and the fetus.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cesarean birth, also known as a C-section, is a surgical delivery of the baby through a procedure called a Caesarian section. It is performed when a vaginal birth is not possible or safe for the mother or the baby. It is a major abdominal surgery that can have post-surgical complications for the mother, but in some cases, it may be the only way to safely deliver the baby.
Cesarean births can be performed for various reasons, including medical conditions that make vaginal birth risky, fetal distress, multiple pregnancies, placenta previa, or a previous history of a C-section. It is not declining in frequency in the twenty-first century in the United States but has been relatively stable.
Cesarean births are performed primarily for the benefit of the mother and the fetus in situations where a vaginal birth is not feasible or safe. It is not more likely to be performed for poor women in public hospitals who do not receive nurse counseling. The decision to have a C-section can be made by the woman herself, in consultation with healthcare providers, and it is legally her right to either elect or refuse a cesarean birth.