Introduction
The author of this site is an independent midwife and mother of three children born by caesarean section. Drawing on her own personal experience and the many professional accompaniments she has provided, the creation of a place for information, sharing and exchange has become an obvious choice over the years.
The subject of "difficult experience of caesarean section is gradually emerging from the shadow of taboo, but given the large number of women affected every day, it should become a recognized fact, and hopefully also a motivation to improve the emotional management of caesarean sections.
This site is the the result of personal, independent workwith no financial backing. It is constantly evolving and has lost none of its interest, despite the many years that have passed. You can also contribute by sharing your experiences and wishes.
The first version of this site dates from September 2006 and the current version from October 2023.
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Introduction
Caesarean section is becoming an increasingly important mode of delivery. In Switzerland and some neighboring countries, over the past twenty years at least, more than a third of women (1/3) give birth to their babies by this method. However, there are significant variations in the caesarean section rate, depending on geographical region and public or private birthplace (ranging from 15-20% to 40-60%). Even caesarean sections performed for convenience or "comfort", i.e. without medical indication, have become commonplace.
While for some women, a Caesarean section poses no problem of acceptance and can even be experienced as a relief, for others this method of birth is more difficult to cope with, and they may find it difficult to accept. feel frustration or a feeling of failure, sometimes persisting for years.
The primary aim of this site is to take into account the experience of caesarean sections. by the woman, by the child and by the father/co-parent. It's important to ask questions about the impact of Caesarean section on the relationship between these three, on the body of the woman and child, on the risks incurred by this procedure, but also on the woman's obstetrical future. What are the side effects on her health, what are the consequences for our medical systems and, more broadly, for the future of obstetrics in our societies?
Then it's a matter of offering you leads and ways to helpto better understand, live and recover physically and psychologically after a caesarean section.
In principle, a Caesarean section is a surgical intervention whose main purpose is to save the mother and/or the child when vaginal delivery is impossible from the outset, or becomes impossible later on. There are very different reasons for deciding to have a Caesarean section: some are known in advance, others only become apparent during labour - with very different degrees of urgency. This is an emergency door to be used in the event of danger and in this context, its absolute usefulness and benefits are not debatable. At the same time, advances in surgical techniques and anaesthesia are to be commended for ensuring that the procedure goes as smoothly as possible from a medical point of view.
On the other hand, it's not hard to imagine what this intervention can create in parallel, such as stress, anxiety, feelings of powerlessness and loss of control, even fear of deathIn addition to the potential separation from the newborn and prolonged convalescence.
Introduction
Caesarean section is becoming an increasingly important mode of childbirth. In Switzerland and some neighbouring countries, one third of women (1/3) have been giving birth to their babies by this method for the past ten years. However, there are significant variations in the caesarean section rate, depending on geographical region and place of delivery (ranging from 15-20% to 40-50%). Even caesarean sections performed for convenience or comfort, i.e. without medical indication, are gradually becoming the norm.
While for some women, a Caesarean section poses no problem of acceptance and can even be experienced as a delivery, for others this birth method is more difficult to cope with, and they may even be unable to accept it. feel frustration or a feeling of failure, sometimes persisting for years.
The primary aim of this site is to take into account the experience of caesarean sections. by the woman, by the child and the father. It's important to ask questions about the impact of Caesarean section on the relationship between these three, on the body of the woman and child, on the risks incurred by this procedure, but also on the woman's obstetrical future. What are the side effects on her health, what are the consequences for our medical systems and, more broadly, for the future of obstetrics in our societies?
Then it's a matter of offering you pistes and means of assistance to better understand, live and recover physically and psychologically after a caesarean section.
In principle, a Caesarean section is a surgical intervention whose main purpose is to save the mother and/or the child when vaginal delivery is impossible from the outset, or becomes impossible later on. There are many different reasons for deciding to have a Caesarean section: some are known in advance, while others only become apparent during labour - with widely varying degrees of urgency. It is an emergency door to be used in case of danger, and in this context, its absolute usefulness and benefits are not debatable. Moreover, we can only praise the progress made in surgical techniques and anesthesia to ensure that the procedure goes as smoothly as possible from a medical point of view.
On the other hand, it's not hard to imagine what this intervention can create in parallel, such as stress, anxiety, feelings of powerlessness and loss of control, even fear of deathIn addition to the potential separation from the newborn and prolonged convalescence.
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) recommends a Caesarean section rate of between 10 and 15 %, including for university hospitals that manage a greater number of complicated pregnancies. And although this recommendation dates back to the 1980s, it retains its original value and has been confirmed in recent studies. Let's not forget that some Scandinavian countries, such as the Netherlands, maintain caesarean section rates well below 20%, while achieving excellent health outcomes for both mother and child - decisive factors in justifying the resources employed.
South American countries have Caesarean section rates well above 50 %, while some African countries have rates of around 5 %, which is clearly insufficient.
If a certain number of C-sections are unavoidable, how can we avoid interventions beyond the recommended rates that could be called "unnecessary"? How can we avoid a new intervention for subsequent children, and promote a more positive birth experience? AVACHow do you deliver a baby by vaginal delivery after a Caesarean section?
Ideally, two lines of thought should be pursued in parallel: firstly, reflection should be focused on the prevention of first caesarean section and, secondly, around the best possible overall care to which women and their children are entitled. Realistically speaking, we could imagine the creation of a real post-Caesarean section network, as it is to be feared that in the near future, the number of Caesarean sections will only decrease very slowly.
Ideally, two lines of thought should be pursued in parallel: firstly, the prevention of caesarean sections altogether, and secondly, the best possible care for women and their children. From today's realistic point of view, we need to create a real post-Caesarean section network, as it is to be feared that in the near future, the number of Caesarean sections will only decrease very slowly. For the last 2-3 years, the figures have been rather stable at this new high level, and the beginning of a debate is worth noting.
An extreme example is Brazil, with a rate of around 80 %, a country where Caesarean section seems to be part of the modern "life-style" and is almost systematic for those who can afford it. A certain body image and an ideal of feminine beauty, as well as the fear of damaging the genital tract during childbirth, seem to be at the root of this trend.
We find ourselves at a pivotal point in the history of childbirth: we may think that pregnancy and childbirth are to be considered "high-risk" from the outset, and that today's women are less able to give birth vaginally. In this case, the operative abdominal route can be seen as the way to avoid all the ills of vaginal birth. Or, on the other hand, we can give ourselves the means to (re)position ourselves in the face of this evolution and offer women the time and space, intimacy and confidence they need to bring their children into the world. In this way, Caesarean section will always retain its indispensable place as an "emergency exit".
But this reflection should include all aspects of the pervasive medicalization around pregnancy and childbirth. And it should first and foremost be an awareness-raising exercise for future parents: Having a baby is not the same as buying a consumer item that comes with instructions, a warranty and after-sales service. Even the greatest number of tests, checks and ultrasounds during pregnancy do not guarantee the arrival of the perfect baby. On the contrary, they can cause a great deal of anxiety and put the bond with the fetus on hold while we await the "verdict" of the results.
The way in which a child is born is a decisive moment that should not be overlooked, and for which it's well worth forming an opinion, informing yourself about the possible choices and making an informed decision. It's just the beginning of the long process - growing our children - that requires parents to make choices and decisions every day for the good of their children... and themselves.
