What is the difference between the cesarean incision done during our mother's time and the current ones today?


In the past the incision was larger and vertical along the entire abdomen. Known as a classical section the incision is bold from up to down in the lower abdominal wall and another one through the uterus. Vertical scar tends to be weak and prone to tearing if the uterus were to contract intensely along the scar during subsequent deliveries. This can lead to a life-threatening situation for both mother and baby if the uterus were to tear open. For this reason 'once a section always a section' did apply in the past. Today, low cervical is the mode used where the uterus is opened transversely in the lowest segment. There are usually two incisions - one through the mother's skin and the other in the uterus. The surface incision is a horizontal cut made below the pubic hair line also termed as bikini incision while the horizontal uterine incision is called low transverse. The incision on the uterus can be vertical depending on the situation, though not commonly done.