The correct spelling of the term "surgical births" is /ˈsɜːrdʒɪkəl bɜːrθz/. The first part, "surgical," is spelled with the letter "g" after the letter "r" because the "u" acts as a vowel and the "g" is needed to soften the "c" sound. The second part, "births," is spelled with a "th" sound as opposed to a "t" sound, as the word is derived from "birth" and "surgery" in which "th" is used instead of "t". The term refers to the delivery of a baby via cesarean section.
Surgical birth, also known as a cesarean section or C-section, is a medical procedure performed to deliver a baby through an incision made in the mother's abdomen and uterus. It is a surgical alternative to vaginal birth when delivering the baby naturally poses risks to either the mother or the baby, or when complications arise during pregnancy or labor.
During a surgical birth, the mother is typically given anesthesia to numb the lower half of her body, allowing her to remain awake and conscious during the procedure. The surgeon then makes an incision usually just above the pubic hairline, carefully cutting through the layers of the abdominal wall to reach the uterus. A second incision is made in the uterus, creating an opening through which the baby is carefully delivered. After the baby is born, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, and the placenta is removed from the uterus. The incisions are then stitched and closed.
Surgical births can be planned in advance if there are known complications or when certain medical conditions require it. They can also be performed in emergency situations when immediate intervention is necessary to safeguard the health and well-being of the mother or the baby. While surgical births carry some risks like any surgical procedure, they have significantly contributed to reducing maternal and fetal mortality rates in cases where vaginal birth would be medically unsafe or not feasible.
The word surgical births refers to a medical procedure called Cesarean section, commonly known as C-section, in which a baby is delivered through surgical incisions made in the mother's abdomen and uterus. The etymology of the word surgical can be traced back to the Latin word surgicalis, which means of or pertaining to surgery.