title: Caesarean section: historical background.
abstract: Although caesarean section is probably one of the oldest operations in the history of medicine, its origins are rather obscure. Very few surgical procedures have been the subject of such bitter controversy, and, it is only in relatively recent times that its performance changed from a last minute attempt to save a child from an almost dead mother to a safe, often planned, operation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Studies, University of Glasgow.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Hillan
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000266:history*; D005260:Female; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D006113:United Kingdom