An early caesarean operation, depicted in 1822. As you can see, the incision made in this operation is vertical. This was how the surgery was normally carried out at this time. 
For much of history, C-sections were carried out using a vertical incision. You can also see the vertical cut in these illustrations from 1669 and 1549.
Another thing that was normal for C-sections in the 19th century and earlier was death. Maternal mortality was incredibly high - around 85%. Death could occur by blood loss, shock from the pain, or infection.
This gradually changed with the introduction of new techniques such as asepsis (cleaning equipment, hands and the environment), anaesthesia, blood transfusions, and antibiotics.
The first C-section where the incision was made across the lower side of the uterus was performed in 1881 by gynaecologist Ferdinand Adolf Kehrer. This method was designed to minimise bleeding during the operation.
This method of making the incision was further refined by Hermann Johannes Pfannenstiel in 1900, and evolved into the style of incision we associate with C-sections today.
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