At Which Week of Pregnancy Is a Cesarean Section Performed?

1) When is a Caesarean section performed?

Cesarean births, which are planned in advance and performed optionally, are mostly performed during the 39th week. However, the views of scientific associations on this issue are that the birth should not be performed before the 39th week. It can be performed when the pregnancy is 39 weeks 0 days and later, depending on the last menstrual period and ultrasound updates. Performing it earlier may bring some risks to the baby, but there is no risk to the mother.

2) Emergency cesarean delivery

Emergency caesarean sections, which are not planned in advance, can be performed at any week of pregnancy because they are performed due to emergencies related to the life of the mother or the baby.

While no problems with the baby occur in caesarean sections performed after the 34th week of pregnancy, respiratory distress and other problems may occur in surgeries performed before the 34th week due to the baby's lungs not being fully developed.

The procedure of removing the baby by cutting the abdominal layers and uterus, just like a cesarean section, before the 24th week of pregnancy is called hysterotomy. The reason why this surgery is not called a cesarean section is that there is no life expectancy for the baby. Hysterotomy is a surgical procedure performed for the purpose of terminating pregnancy (like an abortion). The word hysterotomy means cutting the organ of the womb (uterus).