Caesarean Awareness Month

What is it and who started it?

The month of April is observed as the International Caesarean Awareness Month as declared by ICAN – The International Caesarean Awareness Network, which is a non-profit organization whose aim is to enhance maternal-child health by minimizing unnecessary caesareans through education, assisting with caesarean recovery, and campaigning for vaginal birth after surgical (VBAC).


Why vaginal births?

Vaginal births typically require shorter hospital stays and recovery times than C-sections. The typical length of a hospital stay following a vaginal delivery is 24 to 48 hours. A baby who is delivered vaginally will be able to have more early contact with their mother.

A C-section or caesarean delivery involves an increased risk of blood loss, as the bowel or bladder can be injured during the operation or a blood clot may form. Women are three times more likely to die during a caesarean delivery than during a vaginal birth. There may also be a greater risk of future pregnancy complications, such as placental abnormalities and uterine rupture.

But there are two sides to a coin and a C section may also be useful in certain cases like:

- If a woman has tremendous fear about having a vaginal birth, it may impair her delivery experience, she may elect to have a C-section

- Women who have C-sections are less likely to experience urine incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse than women who give birth vaginally

- A surgical delivery is more convenient and predictable than a vaginal birth and labor because it may be scheduled in advance

- If the baby or the mother is in danger, a C-section can save their lives


At the end of the day, it’s the call of the mother and the doctor in charge as only they can look out best for the child’s wellbeing.