Why Caesarean matters
I was intrigued to read this book, as I am a midwife who works on a home birth team, and part of my role is to deliver parent education to women. This book is aimed at pregnant women and women who have experienced caesarean section, and is an in-depth examination of all aspects of this type of birth. Preparation for possible caesarean is always difficult when the antenatal education predominantly focuses on normal labour and birth.
The book aims to be woman-centred, and includes the authors' personal perspective, with many opportunities to self-reflect and consider all the information that is being given. This book would be a useful reference tool for both student and practising midwives when talking to women about their options. Up-to-date research is included, as well as sections on topics such as gentle caesarean and vaginal seeding. I feel that this book would have a widespread appeal, particularly for other specialities such as obstetrics.
The description of the surgical birth experience is well written and gives valuable information for women who are seeking further details regarding caesarean as a mode of birth. It was especially helpful to have a section for family members that included advice for providing practical and emotional support following the birth. This is essential for any family member, regardless of mode of birth. The chapter on avoiding caesarean birth was well written and provided a balanced, evidence-based opinion that would help women who are undecided on their choice of preferred birth.
I thought it was valuable that the book discussed the controversy around caesarean birth, particularly the notion of opting for a caesarean without a medical indication. Safe birth for mother and baby has to be paramount, and women should feel that they are informed enough to choose this option if they wish. Choice—most importantly, informed choice—is discussed in detail and in a positive manner. The book also contains advice on how women can receive additional support, such as professional midwifery advocates and doulas, and how they can best make use of family and friends' support.
In my opinion, the book has a slow start, in which caesarean section is discussed in both a political and a social context. I would have liked to see this chapter a bit later on in the book, as it uses statistics that, although detailed, are quite difficult to follow, which I feel would be off-putting for women. The author could have started by including a brief description of what a caesarean involves, with some quotes from women regarding their experiences both during the birth and recovery. The book could have been further improved by moving the chapter entitled ‘The surgical birth experience’ closer to the start of the book, and I would have liked more quotes from women who have had a caesarean section to highlight the range of experiences.
Overall, this book contributes to evidence-based practice and could be a useful pocket guide, perhaps for a student midwife. Pregnant women who are thinking of caesarean birth may find it useful to help with decision-making, as it covers the various issues surrounding caesarean birth in detail, and may help to provide women with a fully informed choice.