What needs to change?

  • Better facilities for birth in government hospitals
  • Easier access to surgery for women in rural areas
  • Better monitoring of c-section rates both in private and public sectors
  • Easier access to information for all women in South Africa
  • The establishment of either a government led or independent source for non-biased information about options in childbirth
  • More pressure on doctors to give women access to research-based information
  • More support of vaginal birth
  • More support for, and information about, Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC)
  • Medical Aid Schemes to fund all types of birth equally

So how can YOU make an informed choice?

We suggest the following resources to help you take charge of your birth, and make the best decisions for you and your family. Click the headings below to be taken to the websites.


"What every woman should know about Cesarean Section" 

This is a downloadable document available from Childbirth Connection which offers research-based information on the pro's and con's of cesarean birth and compares this to those of vaginal birth. (Click the text above to visit their website)


MIDIRS - Informed Choice

This British-based charity, Midwives Information and Resource Service, is a wonderful place to find information on just about any aspect of pregnancy and childbirth. It is a wonderful resource for mothers, midwives, doulas and any other healthcare professionals who work in the areas of pregnancy and childbirth.

BirthWorks.co.za

BirthWorks is a local website with loads of fabulous resources, both for information and even an online midwife to answer all your questions!

And learn more about these terms:

VBAC (pronounced VEE-back): Vaginal Birth After Cesarean. Contrary to popular belief the rule is not "once a c/s, always a c/s". Research has shown that a vaginal birth is still an option after 1, 2 or even 3 cesarean sections as having repeat c-sections also carry their own risks. You can learn more on this website - VBAC SA  


Doula : A non-medical, professional birth partner who helps both the mother and other birth partners (such as the father) through pregnancy and childbirth. A doula offers the mother and her family emotional and physical support during pregnancy and birth, and sometimes in the first weeks after the birth as well. Don't give birth without a doula! - South African Doula Database


And finally, take a look through our Informed Choice blog for tons of information related to just about every topic you can think of!

South African rates for c-section as provided by various organisations:

  • Government Department of Health in the Western Cape: 19.6%
  • Board of Health Care Funders in South Africa: 65%
  • Largest Medical Aid Scheme in South Africa: 70%
  • Council of Medical Aid Scheme’s in South Africa: 82%
  • For one Private Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa in one month: 90% (total births were 120)

Why is the C/S rate in SA rising?
  • Defensive medicine
  • Medical aids pay for C/S without requiring medical necessity
  • Art of normal delivery is being lost
  • Casual attitudes about surgery
  • Fear of natural birth: “Baby is too big”
  • Growing belief that C/S is "safe"
  • Side effects of other common procedures
  • Failure to support normal physiologic labor 
  • C/S chosen before less interventive methods
  • Women are having c-sections for HIV+ status; National HIV rates = 30% KZN = 39.1% WC = 15.5%.
  • Convenience
  • Increased use of epidural anaesthesia
  • No VBAC policy
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