Caesarean sections are a common form of surgical delivery, with thousands of babies born this way in the UK every year. For many people giving birth, a planned or emergency C-section can be a necessary intervention to protect both the mother and baby when vaginal birth is not possible or has become too risky. While the vast majority of C-section surgeries are carried out safely by skilled medical professionals, mistakes during the procedure can and do happen.

C-section mistakes can result in life-threatening injuries to the mother, the baby, or both. These are often preventable injuries that may amount to medical negligence if they occurred because the care provided fell below an acceptable standard. The consequences range from physical injuries and surgical complications to long-term health issues that may affect future pregnancies, emotional wellbeing and financial stability.

In this guide, we explain when C-sections are used, the potential complications involved, and the most common surgical errors that can lead to C-section claims. If you believe you or your child have experienced avoidable harm during a caesarean birth, it is important to understand your rights and how to seek support.

When Are Caesarean Sections Required?

A caesarean section is a major surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through incisions made in the mother’s abdomen and uterus. A C-section may be planned in advance or carried out in an emergency when complications arise during labour.

Planned C-sections are usually arranged when a vaginal delivery is expected to be difficult or unsafe. This may be due to a previous C-section, a baby in breech position, multiple babies being carried, a low-lying placenta (placenta previa), or certain maternal health conditions. In these cases, the medical professionals involved should assess the risks in advance and take steps to minimise the chance of serious complications.

An emergency C-section is performed when the situation changes quickly and urgent delivery is needed to protect the mother or baby. Common reasons for an emergency C-section include prolonged labour, signs of foetal distress, a prolapsed umbilical cord, or uterine rupture. When time is limited, healthcare providers must act promptly and follow safe protocols to avoid preventable injuries.

Whether planned or unplanned, a C-section should only be recommended when there is a clear medical reason and when the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Inadequate monitoring, delays in decision-making or poor communication within the surgical team can all lead to mistakes that put both the mother and baby at risk.

What Are the Potential Risks Involved With C-Sections?

Like any major surgery, a caesarean section carries a number of potential complications for both the mother and the baby. While most C-sections are completed without problems, there is always a level of increased risk compared to vaginal birth - especially if medical errors occur or if the procedure is delayed in an emergency.

For the mother, risks include excessive bleeding, infection at the surgical site, and internal injuries to nearby organs such as the bladder or bowel. Some people experience adverse reactions to general or regional anaesthesia, including spinal block or epidural. There is also a known risk of developing blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis, which can lead to serious, even life-threatening, consequences if not identified and managed promptly.

The baby may also face complications. Babies born by C-section may have breathing difficulties, particularly if the surgery is carried out before labour begins. If an emergency C-section is delayed, there may be a risk of oxygen deprivation, which can result in brain injuries or long-term developmental problems.

A C-section can also have longer-term implications. Future pregnancies may carry a higher risk of uterine rupture or placenta-related complications. For these reasons, healthcare providers must be careful to monitor both the short and long-term effects of a surgical delivery and provide appropriate advice before and after the procedure.

Even when complications are known risks of surgery, they should be explained clearly, and every effort must be made to prevent avoidable harm. When medical negligence occurs, it is often because professionals have failed to take reasonable steps to prevent these outcomes.

What Are the Most Common C-Section Mistakes Affecting the Mother?

Mistakes made during a caesarean section can have long-lasting effects on a mother’s physical health, emotional wellbeing and future pregnancies. While most C-sections are carried out safely, errors can happen when medical professionals do not follow appropriate procedures or fail to respond to complications in time.

Some of the most common C-section mistakes that result in injuries to the mother include:

• Internal injuries to organs: During surgery, nearby structures such as the bladder, bowel or blood vessels may be accidentally damaged. These injuries can go unnoticed during the operation, leading to infections, severe complications, or the need for further surgery.
• Excessive bleeding: Poor surgical technique or a delayed response to haemorrhaging can cause major blood loss. In some cases, this may require a blood transfusion or emergency intervention and can be life-threatening if not handled correctly.
• Retained surgical items: There have been rare but serious cases where swabs, tools, or other materials were left inside the mother’s abdomen. This is a clear example of medical negligence and usually results in infection, pain, and the need for another surgical procedure.
• Anaesthetic errors: Mistakes involving general or regional anaesthesia - such as incorrect dosage or poor monitoring - can result in pain during surgery, breathing problems, or adverse reactions to the drugs used.
• Surgical site infections: Infections may develop if proper hygiene protocols are not followed or if wound care is inadequate after surgery. These infections can range from mild to life-threatening and may require prolonged treatment or hospitalisation.
• Delayed C-section in an emergency: When a C-section is required urgently due to labour complications or foetal distress, any delay can cause serious harm. Delayed intervention may result in physical injuries, infection, or the need for additional medical treatments.
• Failure to assess risks from previous C-sections: Women who have had more than one baby by C-section may be at increased risk of complications such as uterine rupture. Failure to consider this when planning delivery may lead to avoidable harm.
• Inadequate aftercare or monitoring: Once the surgery is complete, mothers should be closely monitored for signs of infection, clotting problems (such as deep vein thrombosis), or pain. Poor aftercare can result in undiagnosed complications and prolonged recovery.

These types of C-section injuries are often preventable. If they occur because of negligent care, it may be possible to make a C-section claim for medical negligence and seek financial compensation to cover the medical expenses, lost income, and long-term support that may be needed.

What Are the Most Common C-Section Mistakes Affecting the Baby?

Although caesarean sections are often performed to protect the baby’s health, mistakes during the procedure can result in serious and sometimes lifelong consequences. When medical professionals fail to act quickly enough, use incorrect techniques or miss warning signs, the baby may experience preventable injuries.

The most common C-section mistakes that affect babies include:

• Lacerations and cuts: Babies can be accidentally cut by surgical instruments during the incision into the uterus. These injuries may be minor, but in some cases, they cause permanent scarring or affect deeper tissues, particularly if the baby’s head is very close to the uterine wall.
• Delayed delivery leading to oxygen deprivation: If there is a delay in performing the C-section - for example, in cases of foetal distress or a prolapsed umbilical cord - the baby may be left without enough oxygen. This can lead to brain injuries, such as cerebral palsy, and long-term developmental difficulties.
• Poor handling during delivery: If excessive force is used to deliver the baby through the mother’s pelvis, it can result in broken bones, such as a fractured collarbone or arm. These physical injuries may require further treatment and, in some cases, ongoing rehabilitation.
• Failure to act on signs of foetal distress: Monitoring during labour is essential. If warning signs like an abnormal heart rate are missed or ignored, the baby may not be delivered quickly enough, increasing the risk of life-threatening harm.
• Inadequate neonatal care after delivery: Babies born by C-section may have breathing difficulties or other health needs that require immediate attention. Failure to provide timely support - such as resuscitation or specialist care - can result in preventable injuries and serious complications.
• Lack of planning for known risks: If the baby is large, premature, or there are known risks from previous C-sections or multiple births, extra care should be taken. Failure to plan for these increases the likelihood of injury during the surgical procedure.

When these types of medical errors occur, the consequences for the baby and their family can be devastating - physically, emotionally and financially. A birth injury may require additional medical treatments, therapy or long-term care, placing pressure on both parents and healthcare services. If the mistakes made during a C-section delivery were avoidable, they may be grounds for a medical negligence claim.

What Should You Do When C-Section Mistakes Happen?

If you believe that mistakes were made during your caesarean section and those errors caused harm to you or your baby, you may be entitled to make a C-section claim. These claims are often brought when medical professionals have failed to meet the standards expected during a surgical procedure, and that failure has led to injury, trauma, or long-term consequences.

Medical negligence may have occurred if:

• You were not given proper advice about the risks involved in a planned C-section or vaginal delivery. 
• Your emergency C-section was delayed despite signs of foetal distress or labour complications.
• You experienced avoidable injuries, such as internal bleeding or retained surgical items.
• Your baby experienced brain damage, broken bones or oxygen deprivation as a result of poor care.

In these circumstances, it can be helpful to speak with a solicitor who specialises in medical negligence. At JMW, we listen carefully to your experience and help you work through what happened, gathering evidence to determine whether the care you received fell below the standard expected of a healthcare provider.

If we believe you have a valid claim, we can support you in pursuing financial compensation to help cover:

• Medical expenses and additional treatments for the mother and child
• The cost of ongoing care or therapy for your child
• Specialist accommodation, equipment and technology to support your child’s needs 
• Psychological and educational support for your child 
• Lost income or financial consequences linked to the injury
• The pain, suffering and the emotional impact of your experience

Our team includes members of the Law Society’s specialist panel of clinical negligence solicitors and the Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) solicitors panel. We understand how traumatic surgical injuries can be and will provide clear, compassionate advice throughout the process.