In recognition of International Cesarean Awareness Month, sponsored by the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN), I wanted to discuss a problem I feel contributes significantly to the high rate of primary c-sections in the United States. It is critical that we look at what can be done to decrease the primary c-section rate (the first cesarean for a woman), because once the first c-section is done, it becomes increasingly difficult for many women to find support for a subsequent vaginal birth.
I’ve spoken before of birth apathy, a problem that is quite prevalent among American women. Many seem to have the mindset that “it won’t happen to me”, and willingly accept or even request interventions or procedures known to increase the risk of that first cesarean.