04/03/2026
The most commonly discussed injury to babies during a C-section is a surgical cut (fetal laceration) from the scalpel or instruments used to open the uterus.
How often babies are injured during C-section?
Research consistently finds:
βAbout 0.7% β 3% of C-sections result in a baby receiving a cut or laceration during the surgery. οΏΌ
βMany studies cluster around 1β2%. οΏΌ
βOne large analysis estimated fetal injury overall in about 1.1% of C-sections. οΏΌ
In other words: Roughly 1β3 babies out of every 100 C-sections are cut or injured during the surgical delivery.
What you see in this photo is more severe than usual.
Most of these injuries are minor skin cuts, usually on the face, scalp, ear, or head.
These typically heal without long-term problems. οΏΌ
More serious injuries can occur but are rare, such as deeper cuts, fractures, or nerve injuries and may require procedures to repair.
Are there risk factors that increase the chance of injury? Yes.
Rates tend to be higher when:
ππΎ The C-section is emergent
ππΎ The baby is deep in the pelvis
ππΎ The baby is in breech or transverse position
ππΎ Labor has been going on for a long time
ππΎ Membranes have ruptured and the baby is very close to the uterine wall
Some studies show emergency procedures can have 5% laceration rates compared with 1% for planned procedures. οΏΌ
While people often think C-section eliminates trauma to the baby, it introduces different kinds of risks because itβs a surgical extraction.
Although this risk is relatively low.
Did your baby have an injuries?
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