I just read an article about how Utah is one of the states with the lowest cesarean rate in the US! C-sections make up less than 25% of births. This is great news for a doula like me who longs to support women in natural childbirth and avoid unnecessary interventions. 25% is still higher than the World Health Organization suggests, though. They state that anything highet than 15% indicates more than necessary.

I am so glad that cesareans are available for women who need them. I wouldn’t be here without it, nor would my brother, and I am in total support of whatever intervention is needed to keep mom and baby safe, but I do think there are small, simple changes we can make to help avoid unnecessary surgery. I’m glad I live and practice in a state that agrees!

I get a little annoyed sometimes when I hear c-sections demonized. For one thing, I was born via a very necessary cesarean, and I don’t believe that my mother, who was two weeks overdue and labored for a long time, is any less of a mother or should be ashamed of her two healthy children born through cesarean. But more than that, I believe that it is essential for every woman to have the opportunity to have her ideal birth. Even if that means a cesarean. Also, I believe that a woman who didn’t plan a cesarean shouldn’t be made to feel as though she failed if she ends up with one, nor should it be assumed that she was traumatized by the experience.

That’s why I love this story of one woman’s lovely c-section.

All births can be beautiful!