Caesarean Awareness Month: Educate. Empower. Respect Every Birth.
April is globally recognized as Caesarean Awareness Month, a time dedicated to educating and
A Caesarean Section
(C-section) is a surgical procedure in which a baby is delivered through an
incision in the mother's abdominal wall and uterus. While this operation has
saved countless lives, it is not without risks — including infection, blood
loss, longer recovery times, and potential complications in future pregnancies.
This awareness month is not about
shaming caesarean births — far from it. It's about ensuring caesareans
are performed when medically necessary, not out of convenience or
misinformation. Vaginal birth remains a safe and preferred option in many
uncomplicated pregnancies, but in certain cases, a C-section is the best — or
only — way to protect the life of both mother and child.
We spoke with Amanda, a
strong mother of two, who shares her real, raw, and emotional experience of
giving birth via caesarean section — not once, but twice.
Amanda’s Story: "The Day
I Met My Son"
"I got married and conceived
during our honeymoon. My husband worked in another state, and I wasn’t ready to
leave my job, so we made it work long-distance — I’d travel to see him every
other weekend when I could. By my second trimester, I realized how little time
we’d actually spent together.
At my routine antenatal checkups,
the nurses would always emphasize the importance of spending quality time with
your partner during pregnancy. I used to silently laugh to myself — what
about women like me who rarely see their husbands?
One evening, I started feeling
cramps. I knew immediately — this is it. My hospital bag had been packed
for weeks, so I grabbed it, called on my landlady, and she graciously drove me
to the hospital.
At the hospital, I was checked in
and assessed: 4 cm dilated. The midwife said I had a long way to go. The
contractions intensified with time, yet there was no progress in dilation.
After nearly 12 hours, I was still at 4 cm. The doctor decided to induce labour.
That was the beginning of the
most painful part. The contractions worsened, but my body still wouldn’t open
up. Eventually, the doctor recommended a caesarean section — it was no longer
safe to wait. But we needed my husband’s consent.
He was hesitant. For nearly an
hour, I lay there in pain, just waiting for a “yes.” When it finally came, I
was wheeled into the theatre. The anaesthetic kicked in, and suddenly all the
pain disappeared. It was peaceful.
Within minutes, I heard my baby’s
first cry — they held him up for me to see. It was magical. The doctor was
swift and kept me awake with questions and calm conversation.
I was later transferred to the
postpartum ward. I couldn’t lift my head for days. My milk hadn’t come in. I
couldn’t breastfeed. I couldn’t sit up, walk, or even hold my baby properly.
For four days, I lay there — healing slowly while others cared for my son. It
was humbling and painful.
The first time I stood, I could
barely straighten up. The pain was indescribable. For three days, I ate
nothing, living on fluids through a drip. Still, when I looked at my baby —
healthy and perfect — I knew it was worth it.
But if I could choose again? I
would choose vaginal birth. Not because caesareans are bad, but because I know
how hard recovery can be. Vaginal birth is generally less invasive, with faster
recovery, fewer risks of infection, and a quicker chance to bond with your baby
in those precious first moments."
The Bottom Line
Caesarean sections are lifesaving
when medically necessary, but they are also major surgeries that require
proper education, preparation, and support. During this Caesarean Awareness
Month, let’s:
- ✅ Educate women on their
birthing options
- ✅ Encourage informed
decision-making
- ✅ Respect every birth story
- ✅ Advocate for safer
maternal care globally
Birth is powerful, no matter how
it happens. Let’s support and stand by every mother — whether her birth story
was swift and smooth, or long and layered like Amanda’s.