The incisions, and how long it takes
Skin, fat, fascia, muscle, peritoneum, uterus.
The surgeon cuts through skin, fatty tissue, the strong fibrous layer called the fascia, separates the abdominal muscles rather than cutting them, opens the lining of the abdomen, and then opens the uterus.
In an analysis of 28,087 cesareans, the time from skin incision to delivery of the baby averaged 6.9 minutes without a resident and 8.5 minutes with one. Total operating time from incision to skin closure averaged 36.9 minutes and 47.5 minutes respectively.
Most of the operation happens after your baby is born. Delivery takes a few minutes. Closing takes half an hour or more.
Where this comes from:
315. Mims JR, Allshouse AA, Metz TD. Association between resident involvement in cesarean delivery, complications, and operative times. O&G Open. 2026;3(1):e176.
Covered in the essential classes
Continue
More from The operation
This page is educational. It supports the conversation with your own clinicians. It is not consent to any treatment, and it cannot assess you. If you are worried about a symptom now, see urgent warning signs.