There are two ways of giving birth. The natural way and the Ceaserian method.
However, the C-section method is most of the time frowned upon by society and is regarded as an inferior method of giving birth.
Often, C-section mothers are made to feel guilty, ashamed and undeserving to be called a mother for failure to have the capability to push a baby.
Many think the C-section is a comfortable process.
C-section mothers are made to feel like failures and undeserving of praise because they didn't give birth the natural way.
There are myths that a C-section birth is easier than vaginal birth, and mothers choose it to keep the vagina tight.
In reality, no method of childbirth is a shortcut as they are both a matter of life and death.
The difference is that one is a natural way whereas the other is a result of scientific invention.
On the contrary, C-section mothers should be applauded for their courage to take up the risk because no one is ever sure of coming out of the theatre alive.
Normally, it takes a lot of self-conviction and confidence to choose the C-section path, bearing in mind the permanent scar and complications that come with the process.
There comes a time when mothers have to put their lives in line for the baby to survive as no one wishes to lose a baby after caring the pregnancy to term.
Therefore, one will opt for an elective or emergency C-section.
There are health issues that could make a mother choose the C-section option like breech or transverse baby where the baby is not positioned head first.
Fetus distress and prolonged labour call for an emergency C-section because pushing the baby could lead to death due to a lack of enough oxygen supply.
Multiple births, a mother's poor health condition, having a previous scar and having a big baby are also issues that might not allow natural birth.
In other instances, the baby is just well-positioned for a natural birth but has an umbilical cord around the neck and this could strangle the baby.
The stigma on C-section mothers makes women ignore doctors' recommendations for surgery and go-ahead to push to avoid being called lazy.
Some die or even lose their babies in the process.
Either way, society has to acknowledge that one is still a mother, just like those who lost their children at birth and those who adopted and the method of childbirth cannot be used to gauge who is more deserving of appreciation.
Homa Bay
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
