The rift between natural birth and on-demand C-sections

When it comes to giving birth in Switzerland, for some women the process can’t be natural enough. Others want a Caesarean section (C-section) from the very early stages of pregnancy without a specific medical need. Both extremes can be problematic.  “Did you give birth naturally or did you have a C-section?” According to a mother from Bern, this is often the first question people ask after delivery and to her, it is clearly a judgement. “Natural is best.” The Swiss almost wage a religious war when it comes to C-sections versus vaginal delivery. And it’s not the only ideological front surrounding childbirth; the fight between conventional and natural medicine is even tougher. On the one hand, doctors are quick to interfere with natural births by using oxytocic (used to induce labour), forceps, or by administering a C-section. On the other hand, there is a growing trend towards natural childbirth among parents-to-be as well as midwives. Many Swiss women are keen to deliver ...