The correct spelling of "surgical deliveries" is /ˈsɜːrdʒɪkəl dɪˈlɪvəriz/. The word "surgical" is spelled with a "g" before the "i" because it derives from the Latin word "surgere," meaning "to rise up." The word "deliveries" is spelled with the silent "e" at the end because it is a derivative of the Old French word "deliverer." Together, these two words describe a medical procedure in which a child is born through a surgical incision in the mother's abdomen.
Surgical deliveries, also known as cesarean sections or C-sections, refer to a medical procedure performed to deliver a baby through an incision made in the mother's abdomen and uterus. This surgical intervention is typically used when vaginal delivery poses risks to the health and safety of the mother or the baby, or if the labor process becomes complicated or protracted.
During a surgical delivery, the mother is given regional anesthesia, usually an epidural or spinal block, to numb the lower portion of her body. The surgeon then makes an incision in the lower abdomen, through which the baby is gently lifted out of the uterus. Following the delivery of the baby, the surgeon works to repair and suture the incisions made in both the uterus and abdomen.
Surgical deliveries may be planned in advance for various reasons, such as a known high-risk pregnancy, medical conditions that may affect a safe vaginal delivery, or previous cesarean deliveries. However, they can also occur as an emergency procedure if complications arise during labor or threat to the health of the mother or baby is identified.
Although surgical deliveries provide a safe option for childbirth, they present risks and recovery times higher than vaginal deliveries, and are generally considered as a measure of last resort to ensure the well-being of mother and baby.
The word "surgical deliveries" does not have a unique etymology because it is a phrase made up of two separate words.
1. Surgical: The term "surgical" comes from the Middle English word "surgerie", which originated from the Old French word "surge(r)iē", meaning "a medical operation". It further traces back to the Latin word "chirurgia" and the Greek word "kheirourgia", both denoting "the act of operating with the hands".
2. Deliveries: The word "deliveries" comes from the Middle English word "deliv(e)rien", derived from the Old French word "delivrer", which means "to set free" or "to give". It can also be associated with the Latin word "deliberare", meaning "to set free" or "to release".