A Cleric, Mr Tunji Atolagbe, has warned the public against stigmatising Caesarean section delivery to prevent further loss of women and children lives while insisting on normal delivery.

Atolagbe, the Pastor of Christian Life Bible Church, Ikorodu, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria  in Ikorodu, Lagos, on Tuesday.

A caesarean section is often necessary when a normal delivery would put the life of the baby or mother at risk and this may include obstructed labour, twin pregnancy and high blood pressure.

Others are breech birth or problems with the placenta or umbilical cord.

A caesarean delivery may be performed based upon the shape of the mother’s pelvis or history of a previous C-section.

“I am well informed that many women feel like failures for having a C-section, but I have never understood the reason behind their thinking.

“I personally think C-section mothers should be praised, rather than been stigmatised, as they offer themselves for surgery in order for the new baby to be alive.

“When offered the choice between risk to their unborn baby, and to themselves, they chose taking on the risk in an effort to protect the baby.

“Many maternal deaths are caused by the stigma; even in religious houses they condemn CS because religious leaders will never advise them to accept C-section after many days of induced labour.

“All they say is `pray’, yes, prayer works wonders, some even say CS is not the will of God, but they have forgotten that the will of God is for the mother and baby to be alive.

“When a woman is willing to pay a price to be sure that her baby is okay, isn’t that the essence of motherhood?

“Whichever way a woman gives birth is not really necessary, God wants living soul to praise him not the dead,’’ said the cleric.

Atolagbe, however, said there is no reason for any mother to be embarrassed or stigmatised for going through C-section to deliver the new baby.

He said C-section is a sign of devotion, not a sign of failure.

“If you must give birth through a C-section seek the advice of medical experts,” he said.

(NAN)