“Babies born via cesarean are lost souls; they’re never truly born and thus can’t be grounded.” Sounds shocking, right? Yet, this absurd notion was actually shared with one of my clients who underwent a cesarean delivery. Just imagine the weight of those words on her heart! Today, I want to discuss cesarean births and, more importantly, the language we use to describe them.
In recent conversations, I’ve been taken aback by claims suggesting that cesarean births don’t qualify as “birth.” Such statements can be deeply harmful. If parents are asked, “When was your baby born?” they would have to respond, “Oh, they weren’t actually born.” This implies that cesarean-born children lack “birthdays,” and it places an unnecessary emotional burden on those parents.
While some argue that changing terminology could shift the birth culture back to a focus on physiological births, I believe that true change won’t come from renaming cesarean births. As fellow birth photographer Jamie Lee wisely asked, “Is birth solely a physical experience, or does it encompass emotional and spiritual aspects too?” I firmly believe it’s the latter. Birth is about the transformation into parenthood and the love that blossoms regardless of how a baby enters the world.
Where I think we should focus on language is in how we refer to cesarean births. Terms like “C-section” or “section” feel clinical and can alienate parents from their birthing experience. I remember my own childbirth education class, where a compassionate nurse urged us to use the term “cesarean birth.” She emphasized that having a baby via cesarean is indeed still giving birth and can be a beautiful experience. Her words resonated with me then and continue to hold true as I immerse myself in birth work.
As a birth doula, I’ve witnessed firsthand how some parents disconnect from their experience during a cesarean. This disconnection often stems from the terminology used. We can improve cesarean experiences simply by calling them what they are—births.
I encourage healthcare providers to reconsider their language as well. Even the friendliest doctors and nurses often refer to cesareans as “sections.” Using the term “birth” instead can help parents reconnect with the reality that they’re about to meet their child, which makes the experience feel more human and less intimidating. A shift in language could even remind other medical staff that an emotional event is unfolding, encouraging them to be more considerate during the process.
So, just as that nurse appealed to me years ago, I urge everyone to be mindful of the words you use when discussing cesarean births.
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In summary, it’s crucial to shift our perspective and language surrounding cesarean births. Emphasizing the term “birth” can empower parents and honor their unique experiences, fostering a more supportive and understanding environment.
Keyphrase: cesarean birth terminology
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