Question: why do they call it a c section

title: Caesarean section
text: Global rates of caesarean section rates are increasing . In the United Kingdom , in 2008 , the Caesarean section rate was 24 % . In Ireland the rate was 26.1 % in 2009 . The Canadian rate was 26 % in 2005 -- 2006 . Australia has a high Caesarean section rate , at 31 % in 2007 . In the United States the rate of C - section is around 33 % and varies from 23 % to 40 % depending on the state in question . One out three women who gave birth in the US delivered by cesarean in 2011 . In 2012 , close to 23 million C - sections were done globally . At one time the rate of 10 % and 15 % were thought to be ideal . A higher rate of 19 % may result in better outcomes . More than 50 nations have rates greater than 27 % . Another 45 countries have rates less than 7.5 % There are efforts to both improve access to and reduce the use of C - section . In the United States about 33 % of deliveries are by C - section . The rates in the UK and Australia are 26.5 % and 32.3 % respectively . In China , the most recent CS rate reported was 41 % . Globally , 1 % of all cesarean deliveries are done without the medical need for one . Overall , the rate of caesarean section rate was 25.7 % during 2004 - 2008 .