All Birth is Sacred: Reflections on C-Sections

As we near the end of April, Cesarean Awareness Month, let's talk about it. 

We believe all birth is sacred. And while we are rooted in ancestral wisdom and trust in the body’s innate capacity to birth, we also know that sometimes, intervention is the most loving choice.

There Are Times When a Cesarean Is Truly Necessary

There are situations where a cesarean birth can be lifesaving — for both mama and baby. Things like placental abruption, umbilical cord complications, severe preeclampsia, or a true failure to progress after long hours of labor. In these cases, thank God for the option. For skilled hands, for access to safe surgical care, for the grace of a healthy outcome, even when the path was different than hoped.

This is not about shame or blame — it’s about reverence. Your birth is no less sacred because it happened in an operating room.

That said, it’s also important to name what we’re seeing across the world, especially here in the U.S., where 1 in 3 births is now surgical.

The Growing Rates of Unnecessary C-Sections is scary… 

Cesarean rates have risen far beyond what research shows is medically necessary. And in many cases, cesareans are being suggested prematurely — not because something is wrong, but because of fear, convenience, hospital policy, or impatience with the natural rhythms of labor.

Too many mothers are being told their bodies are failing, when really… the system is failing them.

And that’s not okay.

As a community that honors physiological birth, we also honor informed choice — and choice means having real, evidence-based information and enough time and support to make decisions from a place of empowerment, not pressure.

To the Mamas Who’ve Had a Cesarean… You Are Held

Maybe you chose a cesarean.
Maybe it was your only option.
Maybe it was beautiful.
Maybe it broke your heart.
Maybe it saved your baby.
Maybe it still hurts to talk about.

Whatever your story — we honor it. We honor you.

There is no shame in how your baby came into this world.

Your birth matters. Your feelings matter. Your bond with your baby is not defined by how they entered the world, but by the love that brought them here and holds them now.

You are a mother. You are powerful. You are whole.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Real and Rooted in Love

This month is an invitation, not to polarize, but to soften. To speak truthfully about the overuse of cesareans and to honor those who’ve walked that path.

Let’s advocate for better birth support. For respectful care. For systems that trust the intelligence of the body, the power of women, and the sacredness of every birth.

However your baby arrived - vaginally, belly birth, medicated, unmedicated, planned, wild, peaceful, stormy - your story is worthy. 

With so much love, 

Holly + team