April is Caesarean Awareness Month
April is Cesarean Awareness Month, a time to highlight the realities of cesarean birth—both the necessity of them AND the overuse of the procedure. In Australia more than 1 in 3 babies are born via cesarean, making it the the most common surgery in the world.
While cesareans can be life-saving for both mother and baby, the World Health Organisation estimates that the C-Section rate should be around 10%, but it is currently around 33%. Understanding when a cesarean is truly needed and how to plan for the best possible experience is key to ensuring a positive birth outcomes.
Language Matters
Did you know that not all C-sections are emergency, and not all of them are elective? Language matters so much when it comes to caesareans because there is a lot of fear around them, especially when it comes to emergencies. There’s a grey area in between which is the ‘unplanned caesarean’. Unplanned C-Sections occur when the decision to have one is different to the original plan or wish. This could be due to a baby being breech, in which case the c-section is somewhat elective, but may not have been the original plan. Other times, it may be a change of heart during labour where the baby is not necessarily in distress, but a mother decides she would like to have a Caesarean instead.
The reason people don’t hear a lot about unplanned caesarians is because hospitals only have two options when writing their paperwork - “elective” or “emergency”. This is problematic because not all caesareans that happen during labour are a true emergency, and it perpetuates a lot of fear around the idea of a c-section. Similarly, people may think that because someone elected to have a Caesarean that it means they are happy about it however as we know for many women who have a breech baby, they would have liked to have been supported to have a vaginal birth but couldn’t secure a health care provider willing to support this.
Planning for a Positive Cesarean
A cesarean birth doesn’t have to feel clinical or disconnected, and it doesn’t have to always be an emergency. With the right preparation, it can be just as empowering as a vaginal birth. Here are a few ways to ensure a positive experience:
Request a gentle cesarean. If you plan ahead, you can speak to your care team about having a gentle caesarean which includes immediate skin-to-skin contact, delayed cord clamping, and a clear drape so you can see your baby being born if you wish.
Create Caesarean specific birth preferences. In my eBook “The Modern Birth Plan”, I detail some Caesarean specific birth preferences that can help the experience feel a bit more gentle and more individual for you.
Involve your partner or support person. Ask for their presence in the operating room and discuss ways they can help, such as playing calming music or advocating for your birth preferences. They may also want to cut the cord!
Have photos and videos taken. In some Caesareans, you may not be able to see what’s going on and you may wish to look back on it. Have a midwife take photos and videos in case you do want to see it from another angle!
Understand your options for anesthesia and postpartum pain relief. Being well-informed about what to expect can ease anxiety and help you feel more in control.
Prepare for recovery. Rest, nourishing food, and postpartum support are crucial. Planning ahead can make a world of difference in your healing journey.
For those wanting to explore their birth options further, The Modern Birth Plan ebook offers guidance on making informed decisions that align with your birth preferences—whether that means planning for a cesarean, a vaginal birth, or exploring the possibility of VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean).
VBAC is Possible
If you’ve had a Caesarean, please know that the old school myth “once a caesar always a caesar” has been long disputed!
Excitingly, Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC) rates are rising! Many women who have had a prior caesarean go on to have a vaginal birth with proper support. If VBAC is something you’re considering, educating yourself on hospital policies, finding a supportive provider and booking your doula (hi!!!!) are essential. A great resource is the book Birth After Cesarean by Hazel Keedle, which explores all the VBAC research and personal stories to empower birthing parents.
And just quickly…
Reducing unnecessary caesareans isn’t about shaming the procedure or dismissing those who have chosen to have one—it’s about ensuring that every birth is approached with informed choice and respect. Whether your path leads to a caesarean or a VBAC, education is your most powerful tool. For more, check out insightful podcasts like The VBAC Link or Evidence Based Birth to dive deeper into cesarean awareness and birth options.