From breastfeeding to second births, author Clare Goggin, who has had two caesareans herself, explains the realities to

nature” of this myth becomes clearer when thinking about what caesarean birth entails – major abdominal surgery, the kind that would ordinarily mean resting for at least six weeks.

“When I speak to women who’ve given birth by caesarean, they consistently tell me this is the most frustrating and hurtful myth about caesarean birth.

“It implies birth should be difficult, and that there’s some moral benefit to women suffering as they bring new lives into the world,” says Clare.

“We don’t tend to call other forms of surgery ‘easy’. In reality, caesarean birth is different for everyone – some recover quickly and feel grateful to give birth this way, and others find recovery much harder and can struggle with ambivalent or negative emotions about their births.” Clare Goggin their experience, explains Clare.

“Caesarean birth has been more often associated with cold, clinical surgical practices than with life-affirming rites of passage,” she says. “But in reality, there are many possibilities you might wish to discuss with your caregiver.”

These might include asking your caregivers to lower the surgical drape so you can watch your baby emerge, or asking your birth partner to video or photograph the baby being born. You might choose music to be played in theatre, request the lights are dimmed as the baby’s born, and/or ask to hold the baby as soon as possible.

“Many women I speak to say