Up to 1 in 4 babies is delivered by a cesarean section. Sometimes moms know in advance if a C-section will be required, but other times, that decision isn't made until labor is underway. It's a good idea to be prepared emotionally and intellectually just in case it's necessary for you to have a C-section.

Having a C-section doesn't necessarily mean that a mom can't participate in the birth of her baby. Advances in regional anesthesia mean that in some cases, moms can be awake and aware during the cesarean delivery. Depending on the situation, some hospitals even allow dads to be in the operating room. Generally, a sterile drape is arranged around mom's abdomen, and a screen is set up so that mom does not have to watch the provider make the incision.

In other cases, a general anesthetic may be necessary. General anesthesia sometimes takes effect faster, and may be best for an emergency situation. This type of anesthesia does make mom unconscious during the operation.

After anesthesia has taken effect, the provider makes a cut in the mother's lower abdomen, and then a second incision in her uterus. The baby is eased out, either by hand or with forceps or a vacuum extractor. The cord is clamped and cut, the placenta is removed, and the provider then closes the incisions.

Depending on the circumstances, the provider will often make the incisions in such a way that the mom can have her future babies vaginally. You may remember that this is called "vaginal birth after cesarean" or V-BAC.