Medical circumstances for a Caesarean include:
 Severe pre-eclampsia (pregnancy-related high blood pressure)
The unborn baby is not receiving enough oxygen, but a quick vaginal delivery is not possible at that time
Labour is not progressing. Sometimes, despite all efforts, labour fails to move the baby sufficiently quickly down the birth canal (the channel through the exit of the womb, through the pelvis and out through the vagina) and the mother or baby is in distress
if you are expecting twins or other multiple births a vaginal birth may prove difficult as the babies may be premature risking possible damage to them; one or more of the babies may be in an abnormal breeched position (bottom or feet first); or two or more of the babies may share a placenta meaning a Caesarean section is necessary to avoid the babies being deprived of oxygen,
Labour has been induced (brought on) for some medical reason but the methods used to induce labour are failing to produce contractions effective enough to lead to a vaginal delivery.
It has been found that it would be highly unlikely that the baby will fit through the normal birth canal. For instance, an x-ray or scan may have shown that the baby has a head larger than the space in the pelvis through which it needs to travel; or the baby is in an abnormal position inside the womb such that it is unlikely to fit through the birth canal.
The placenta (afterbirth) is blocking the exit to the womb. This is called placenta praevia.
Some types of infection are an indication for a planned Caesarean section. These include active genital herpes, where a normal delivery would risk transferring the virus to the baby, and HIV infection in the mother, where a Caesarean section reduces the chances of the baby becoming infected with the condition.
Premature labour; sometimes an emergency Caesarean section will prevent possible trauma to the delicate head of the premature baby as it travels through the birth canal. Very small babies are especially at risk of brain haemorrhage if they have a normal delivery.
A medical condition such as a heart problem that would put the mother at risk during the efforts of a normal delivery.
Older women
Women over 35 years old are more likely to need a Caesarean section. This can be due to a variety of factors that mean they are at increased risk of complications during their pregnancy, such as:
high blood pressure, or gestational diabetes occurring during the pregnancy,
a greater chance that the cervix (neck of the womb) will dilate slowly,
if their baby is too big (has gained too much weight) making a vaginal birth more difficult,
if their baby has adopted a position in the womb that complicates a vaginal delivery the baby is in a breech position, such as transverse (sideways), bottom or feet first,
or placenta previa occurs where the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix.In such emergencies performing a Caesarean section can be the safest way to protect both mother and baby.
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