csections.org uses carbon neutral hosting:
The aims of csections.org
In the UK at present, 1 in 4 women will give birth by Caesarean Section. We believe it is essential that women are able to participate in discussions about their births prior to and during their labour. In order to do this effectively we believe women need more information about caesareans. We hope that this in turn may help to reduce the trauma and negativity experienced by those women who have a caesarean when they would rather have had a vaginal birth.
There are still women having caesareans when they do not want them and in some cases when they do not really need them. And for those who do want a caesarean they are often unfairly judged as simply being "too posh to push" when the reality is often far more complex. We hope this website will provide women with some of the information they need about caesareans in order to feel more in control of their births.
To quote Jeannie Douche, from the New Zealand College Of Midwives Journal, "Caesarean birth has evolved in just over a decade from a major abdominal operation with profound negative consequences for women, to become an increasingly acceptable choice of birth method" 89.
csections.org aims to provide:
- Information about women's rights when requesting and refusing a caesarean
- Information about the procedure and recovery
- An area for posting real birth experiences
- Ultimately a more balanced perspective on caesarean delivery
A
Yes, though it is worth researching the various other approaches you can take to combating this fear 12. Some women have found that they feel "cheated" if they have not been able to give birth naturally. But at the end of the day, it is you who will go through this and if you would rather opt for a caesarean, the hospital is obliged to discuss your birth plan. They may readily agree or ask you to undergo counselling for your fear and then carry out the caesarean. Some hospitals have a policy of only allowing caesareans for clear medical indications in which case they may refuse. But if they do, they are obliged to refer you to another hospital that will support your decision to have a caesarean.
Tokophobia is a recognised medical condition and is starting to be recognised by some health professionals. Fear of childbirth is a very real and frightening condition and should not be treated lightly by your health professionals.