Caesarean section from antiquity until the present day

Abstract

Caesarean section is known to be probably the longest-practiced operation in human history. It originates from ancient times and has developed rapidly to the present day. Its roots are shrouded in mystery, told in mythology and legends from the most ancient civilizations in human history. The progress of world science has inevitably given impetus to the advancement of operative obstetrics and Caesarean section in particular. In antiquity, Caesarean section was applied only post mortem, after the death of the pregnant woman. In the Middle Ages, the few cases performed on living mothers meant almost certain death within days, but with the development of medicine, this trend gradually reversed. The most recent human history and medical practice have achieved near-zero mortality rates for patients undergoing Caesarean section. Today, the operation is considered almost completely safe and at the same time is the most frequently practiced one in the world.