CAESAREAN DELIVERY DOESN’T MAKE YOU LESS A WOMAN

If you raise up the topic of Caesarean Sections in many discussion groups/circles or gatherings, there is a likelihood you will encounter widely dissimilar opinions especially in this part of the world. It is usually an emotionally charged topic and frequently approached with cultural, religious and traditional overtones. 

A Caesarean Section (C-section) refers to theatrical procedure of delivering a baby through incisions made in the mother’s abdominal wall and uterus. It is carried out mostly in situations where there are complications in the hospitals.

"C-Section is God’s own wisdom put into man to ensure they have successful child bearing/delivery." ~ Doctor Obika Ugochukwu  

Traditionally and societally, some people believe that a woman is not strong enough when she gives birth via C-Section but that is not the truth. Many pointed out that for them and most women in their clicks or religious groups, a C-Section was for those who were not "strong enough" and of little faith. The norm seems to be that relatives and society decide how a woman would give birth in her community or social circle. Many people would rather go through the "normal" procedure even when complications arise so that they are seen as the "Hebrew Women" of old.

I still believe that giving birth through C-Section and having your baby through "normal" delivery produces the same result – a healthy baby and a healthy mother. "Delivery is delivery" – The most important thing is that you are alive and the child is alive.

Some also claimed Caesarean birth in the hospital is more expensive. This factor also influenced the decision made by the pregnant women on their choice of method to give birth, and whether they would agree to birth by C-Section. The other factor that influenced their choice was the intervention by relatives and religious leaders, as mentioned earlier. They want to feel that they are capable of birthing their children by themselves and in turn are seen as strong women. They pointed out that their pastors told them to believe that anything is possible with God, so they should hold on to the belief that the C-Section is not "meant for them." It is clear from these discussions that religious, culture and society largely influence where and how women give birth. The women would rather listen to their mothers and mothers-in-law, their husbands or their pastors on which method they should use in having their babies even if the doctors advise that the C-Section is the best option to save their lives and that of their babies. On the other hand almost all the women who had given birth by C-Section said that they were open to having it again if it was the "Will of God." But there were a few who had their reservations.

I heard the story of Nneoma, a University graduate who was a housewife in Enugu State. She was open to having a C-Section because she said "if it is the will of God, it is what it is." However, she said that she had to get her husband’s consent/blessing if that was what the doctor recommended. Nneoma’s baby weighed 6 kg. Her doctors advised her to have a C-Section because her pelvis was narrow and it would be difficult for the baby to pass through. This decision laid solely with the husband, who said that he was big baby at birth and his mother didn’t have to do a C-Section so if his mother could then his wife also did not need one. However, he only consented to the C-Section at the hospital when he saw that Nneoma was tired of pushing and was losing her breath. Unfortunately, the story ended with both Nneoma and her baby losing their lives. I discovered that about 70% of women I had interacted with were open to having a C-Section, but only as an act of God. They relied largely on their husbands to make those decisions. Some of them said they were lucky to have husbands who would have the final say and would not be influenced by other relatives. They are stories of some women whose mothers-in-law have undue influence over the affairs of their homes. While it may sound odd that a woman would be the one to influence how and where her daughter-in-law would give birth, at least, this means they are more likely to be open to going to the hospital for antenatal care.

It would be safe to conclude that although women know what a C-Section is, and how important it is in saving lives of pregnant women and children. Some factors generally influence their choices. These dominant factors include religion, relatives, and cost of delivery. In as much as these reasons or some of it might seem cogent, life is precious and when it is carelessly lost, it is bitter. 

I will call on more sensitization of both rural and urban women including their families. The government on their own part should provide at most, laws and funds to soothe the relief and undue stress pregnant women have to go through in the country as it is case in most advanced nations. 

Mother and child were meant to live beyond the four walls of a delivery theatre and not the other way round except for some maternal or fetal clinical condition.