India’s elite fight back against C-sections. One midwife at a time
The post India’s elite fight back against C-sections. One midwife at a time appeared first on The Ken .
India’s elite are challenging the widespread practice of Caesarean sections (C-sections), with a focus on empowering midwives through alternative birthing facilities. One such facility, Aastrika Midwifery Centre in Bengaluru, has gained popularity among urban, educated mothers who seek a more personalized and less medically overbearing birthing experience.
Aastrika's approach involves placing the midwife at the center of childbirth, with doctors working alongside them. This midwife-led care model has led to a significant reduction in C-section rates at the center, which delivered 845 babies, including high-risk pregnancies, compared to the 60% C-section rate in urban private hospitals as reported by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Other hospitals, such as Fernandez Hospital in Hyderabad and Superhealth Hospitals, have also implemented midwife-led care initiatives, including dedicated midwife units and midwife training programs. The Indian government has also recognized the importance of midwifery services, incorporating midwife-led care units and training centers into the National Health Mission.
For Shambhavi Srivastava, the founder of Aastrika Midwifery Centre, this shift was a revelation. After experiencing judgment and unsolicited guilt during her previous hospital births, she found solace at Aastrika, feeling heard, informed, and involved in the decision-making process. Srivastava now proudly shares her story of motherhood to two adopted children.
Written by urgent.news from The Ken's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
