Experts Call for Ending C-Section Stigma to Support Postpartum Recovery
Experts have called for the elimination of stigma associated with Caesarean section (C-section) deliveries to create a supportive environment where mothers can recover and thrive. This was the central message at the launch of C Her Foundation, a movement dedicated to empowering C-section mothers through community-driven support.
Speaking at the event in Kampala, advocates emphasised the need to destigmatize C-section births and foster understanding. Dr. Christine Biryabarema, a gynecologist, added that the perception of rising C-section rates is misleading.
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“Most women undergoing C-sections are seen in referral hospitals, but in their communities, the numbers are not as high as portrayed in urban referral hospitals. Most lower-level facilities don’t perform C-section deliveries. So, when reports from surveys done at referral level come out, the picture is not reflected accurately,” she said.
Despite Dr. Biryabarema’s argument, data from the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey shows that 11.9% of births in Uganda occur via C-section, a slightly higher rate than the World Health Organization’s recommended 10%.
For C-section mothers, the journey to recovery is fraught with challenges, including societal stigma, inadequate postpartum support, financial strain, and emotional struggles stemming from misconceptions about childbirth.
Merceler Ainesasi, a C-section mother, shared her experience: “I felt judged and alone until I joined these support groups. Listening to others and sharing my story helped me heal emotionally.”
C Her Foundation is bridging these gaps by organising fitness groups, wellness programs, and experience-sharing sessions in communities like Kireka, Entebbe, Ntinda, and other upcountry cities. These initiatives are empowering mothers to regain their strength, confidence, and sense of community.
“We want C-section mothers to live normal lives like other mothers. Many didn’t even want people to know they had undergone an operation because they feared being judged. For us, we say we should always be proud of our scars,” says Winnie Katende, the founder of C Her Foundation and a five-time C-section mother.
