of 2017, about 32% of deliveries are by C-section. The surgery has been performed at least as far back as 715 BC following the death of the mother, with the baby occasionally surviving. Descriptions of mothers surviving date back to 1500 AD, with earlier attests to ancient times (including the apocryphal account of Julius Caesar being born by caesarean section, a commonly stated origin of the term). With the introduction of antiseptics and anesthetics in the 19th century, survival of both the mother and baby, and thus the procedure, became significantly more common. Uses Caesarean section (C-section) is recommended when vaginal delivery might pose a risk to the mother or baby. C-sections are also carried out for personal and social reasons on maternal request in some countries. Medical uses Complications of labor and factors increasing the risk associated with vaginal delivery include: Abnormal presentation (breech or transverse positions). Prolonged labor or a failure to progress (obstructed labour, also known as dystocia) Fetal distress Cord prolapse Uterine rupture or an elevated risk thereof Uncontrolled hypertension, pre-eclampsia, or eclampsia in the mother Tachycardia in the mother or baby after amniotic rupture (the waters breaking) Placenta problems (placenta praevia, placental abruption or placenta accreta) Failed labor induction Failed instrumental delivery (by forceps or ventouse (Sometimes, a trial of forceps/ventouse delivery is attempted, and if unsuccessful, the baby will need to be delivered by caesarean section.) Large baby weighing > 4,000 grams (macrosomia) Umbilical cord abnormalities (vasa previa, multilobate including bilobate and succenturiate-lobed placentas, velamentous insertion) Other complications of pregnancy, pre-existing conditions, and concomitant disease, include: Previous (high risk) fetus HIV infection of the mother with a high viral load (HIV with a low maternal viral load is not necessarily an indication for caesarean section) An outbreak of genital herpes in the third trimester (which can cause infection in the baby if born vaginally) Previous classical (longitudinal) caesarean section Previous uterine rupture Prior problems with the healing of the perineum (from previous childbirth or Crohn's disease) Bicornuate uterus Rare cases of posthumous birth after the death of the mother Other Decreasing experience of accoucheurs with the management of breech presentation. Although obstetricians and midwives are extensively trained in proper procedures for breech presentation deliveries using simulation mannequins, there is decreasing experience with actual vaginal breech delivery, which may increase the risk. Prevention The prevalence of caesarean section is generally agreed to be higher than