Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Caesarean Section in Nigeria
Your baby is delivered through a cut low across the abdomen and the womb. It is planned when labour would be unsafe for you or your baby, and done as an emergency when labour stops being safe. Most women are awake under a spinal anaesthetic and stay three nights.
Also called: C-section, CS delivery, Elective caesarean, Caesarean delivery
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Published price
₦950,000
Fixed all-in case rate, planned caesarean
Three nights in hospital included.
What the price covers
- Consultant obstetrician and anaesthetist
- Theatre time and a spinal anaesthetic
- Midwifery and nursing care
- Your bed for three nights
- Your medication and consumables while you are admitted
- The postnatal review at six weeks
What it does not cover
- Antenatal care, scans and tests before delivery
- A paediatrician at the birth, and any neonatal unit care your baby needs, which are confirmed in writing before the date
- Blood transfusion, if it is needed
- Care for complications needing intensive care or a return to theatre
- Take-home medication
Related prices
Emergency caesarean in labour
₦1,100,000
Third or later caesarean
₦1,100,000
What would change this price
- An emergency caesarean in labour, priced separately above
- A third or later caesarean, priced separately above
- Twins or more
- A stay beyond three nights
- An extra procedure needed to control bleeding, which is rare
Many HMO plans cover delivery up to a limit, and some only after a waiting period. Prior authorisation is filed by the desk well before your date, and the amount you would pay is confirmed in writing before anything is booked.
Who this is for
- A baby lying bottom or feet first, or sideways, near term
- A placenta lying over the neck of the womb (placenta praevia)
- Two or more previous caesareans
- Labour that stops progressing, or a baby showing distress in labour
- Some twin pregnancies, and some medical conditions in the mother
When it is not the right answer
- A woman with one previous caesarean and no other reason, who can usually be offered a vaginal birth after discussing it with her obstetrician
- A planned caesarean before 39 weeks without a medical reason, because babies born earlier have more breathing problems
- Choosing a caesarean without a full discussion of the longer recovery and what it means for future pregnancies
The pathway, step by step
- 1
Consultation and the decision₦35,000
Your obstetrician confirms why a caesarean is advised and agrees the date, usually from 39 weeks for a planned operation.
- 2
Bloods and anaesthetic review
Blood count and group in the week before, and a meeting with the anaesthetist.
- 3
The operation
About an hour, mostly under a spinal anaesthetic so you are awake to meet your baby.
- 4
Three nights in hospital
Up and walking the next day, the catheter out within a day, and help with feeding.
- 5
Postnatal review at six weeks₦25,000
Your wound, your mood, contraception, and the plan for any future birth.
Recovery, realistically
Days 1 to 3
In hospital. Sore across the wound, walking from the first day, which is what prevents clots.
Week 1 to 2
At home. Lift nothing heavier than your baby. Accept help.
Week 2 to 6
Steadily more comfortable. Driving usually from four to six weeks, once you can brake hard without pain.
After six weeks
Exercise reintroduced gradually after the postnatal review.
Risks you should be told about
- Bleeding, occasionally needing a transfusion
- Infection of the wound or the womb
- Blood clots in the legs or lungs, reduced by walking early and sometimes by injections
- Injury to the bladder or bowel, rare
- Short-lived breathing difficulty in the baby, more likely before 39 weeks
- A scar on the womb that affects future pregnancies, including the placenta and labour
Every operation carries risk. A surgeon who lists none is not being straight with you. Yours will go through these with you before you consent.
Questions people ask
Can I have a normal delivery after a caesarean?
After one caesarean, many women can, and most who try succeed. It depends on why the first was done and on this pregnancy. After two or more, a planned caesarean is usually advised.
How many caesareans can I have?
There is no fixed number, but each one makes the next longer and raises the chance of placenta problems. Your obstetrician will talk about this before you plan another pregnancy.
Does the price include my baby's care?
It covers your care. A paediatrician at the birth and any neonatal unit care your baby needs are confirmed in writing before the date, so nothing about your baby's care is decided on the day.
When can I go back to work?
Most women are ready for desk work from about six weeks, and maternity leave usually runs longer. Physical work takes longer.
Prices shown are Mezo cash prices in naira and were last checked on 11 October 2026. They are what you would be quoted for the standard case described here. Your final quote follows an examination, because the right operation for you may not be this one.