I think that is the nature of birth Keira. Birth has been put in the closet. And slowly it's emerging. Women in times past would discuss birth, assist in each others births, talk talk talk.

Something changed and that discussion ceased to a degree.
Places like Belly Belly have helped it to "come out". Women discussing their experiences is an essential part (I believe) of the birthing journey. Hearing how things were for others. They don't have to be the same us us and we don't have to agree but it helps with the knowledge base, opinion base... The decision...

C/section is major surgery. Major surgery isn't something to be entered into lightly. As women and consumers of the birthing system we need to be fully informed. Women need to take some control of their experiences and their bodies (I believe) in order to have a fulfilling birth experience. Evidence based decisions are important. (I believe this fervently and passionately)

I will disagree gently that c/sections in most cases are medically necessary and life saving. In some cases of course this is true. But for some women they will choose a c/section for psychological reasons - it's a huge one. This may not be life threatening or medically necessary. But for that woman in that birth it's important... There are also a small group of women who will choose c/section for no other reason but convenience.

So, in order to make an informed choice I think it's important to firstly study, read, seek out a number of medical opinions. READ READ READ. Then hear the stories of other women. The good and the not so good.

Birth satisfaction is statistically lower in women who have a c/section. Now, I would suggest that these figures are so for women who have not sought out and made an informed choice. I don't know but I feel that this would be the case...

C/section is not bad - or a no no. I believe what women need to do is make tht decision after weighing up all the negatives and posittives.

I know there are a number of women here on Belly Belly who choose c/section for psychological reasons. For them the benefits outweigh the risks. We all have our stories. No one is judging that. This is a place where we can find out some information that is evidence based. Discuss this with other women who may make very different choices to us. But it is done with safety and respect.

Sometimes ideas are challenged. Challenge, I believe is a good thing it can help us to think "why am I feeling like this..."... "Where did I get this idea"... "is this left over from my mothers/grandmothers stories"...

I heard a prominent tv personality talk of her birth experience. She had an elective c/section because her mother was afraid for her as she'd had a terrible brith experience... Now, is this a good reason to have major surgery??? To please another??? Perhaps in the end it is for her... We can't be the judge of that. But challenge that is respectful may help her to seek out more info...
Her decision may still be the same but her decision would be made from a place that wasn't so fearful...

Your question is a good one... And I am sure you have seen the many articles that Kelly has put together on c/section. C/section has saved many lives. Conversley babies still die in c/sections and mothers do too. It's not always the "safest way" to give birth. It's one of the ways to bring a baby into the world. Certainly for some births it's the safest way. It's the right way for some women in some births. My hope is that all women make the decision to birth their babies (whateave that way is) after making a decision after having all the risks and benefits.
How to bring your baby into the world is a decision that needs to be made after seeking out factual information. (I believe)

As women sometimes we only want to hear the "good" stories. The ones that support our decisions. I believe in order to make an informed choice we seek out first facts and listen to other women too. Women are wise. We have a wisdom that spans millenia.