[Ten Anecdotes from about 3800 Years of Written History of Cesarean Section]

The surgical procedure of the operative opening of the uterus and delivering the fetus known as cesarean section was probably practiced for thousands of years. Delivery of a living child after the death of its mother (the postmortem procedure) is referred to in the myths and folklore of many ancient societies. Some of the newborns so delivered survived, although their mothers did not. The current review describes ten anecdotes from about 3800 years of written history of cesarean section. These stories illustrate the evolution of cesarean section from postmortem to the lifesaving procedure of the parturient and her infant.