Ep. 16 C-Sections: One (Un)Successful History

In a time with no understanding of the womb, female anatomy, or germs, a complicated childbirth was the last thing you wanted. The options to save yourself or save your baby were slim, and there was rarely an option to save you both. The development of the C-section changed that, well kinda. As medicine evolved over a thousand years, so did this procedure as it developed with the times. However, I wouldn’t call this history a successful story as this procedure had many, MANY, setbacks. But today, one in three children are born via C sections, so something worked eventually! This increased number of procedures isn’t exactly a good thing, however, as C-sections aren’t always the best move for a woman's body. Trying to find the balance between when to cut or not is a tricky business, which involves multiple factors playing into such decisions. Join us in this episode to learn about the history of C-sections, how the procedure changed midwives' and obstetricians’ roles in childbirth, and why rates have risen over the years!  

Check out our Feminist Corner questions below to spark some thoughts as you listen!

• Obstetricians are often faced with the challenge of whether or not their medical practice will face lawsuits based on how they deliver a child. What do these fears say about our medical system and how it influences care?
• What are your thoughts on the over-medicalization of childbirth and how a woman and their healthcare provider should approach a birth plan?