Cesarean Awareness Month – Apr. 1, 2027

Cesarean Awareness Month
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Cesarean Awareness Month takes place every April, shining a light on surgical births and promoting education for expectant parents and healthcare providers. Learn about the importance of C-sections, when they are medically necessary, and how to advocate for informed choices in childbirth. Join us in supporting maternal health and recovery.

Want to sponsor Cesarean Awareness Month? Learn how

Expected Cesarean Awareness Month Deals

Throughout April, Cesarean Awareness Month focuses on education and advocacy rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) lead campaigns to inform expectant parents and healthcare providers about C-section rates, risks, and benefits. Many local hospitals and birthing centers host free webinars and support groups, often partnered with maternal health advocates such as Lamaze International. Brands like Philips Avent and Pampers may support these initiatives through educational content or product donations to new mothers. Look for opportunities to donate to maternal health non-profits or participate in virtual advocacy events. We will update this page with confirmed live events and campaigns as April approaches.

Platform Guide for Cesarean Awareness Month

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #CesareanAwarenessMonth. Share personal stories of C-section recovery or advocate for informed birthing choices through visuals.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #CesareanAwarenessMonth. Join or host community discussions on C-section experiences and support networks.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #CesareanAwarenessMonth. Share statistics, research, and advocacy calls to action for better maternal care and C-section awareness.

Social Media Tips for Cesarean Awareness Month

Individuals

Share your C-section story or support others by engaging with educational content and advocacy posts. Educate yourself on birthing options and recovery resources.

Creators

Develop informative video series or infographics explaining C-section facts, recovery tips, or the benefits of VBAC. Partner with maternal health experts for Q&A sessions.

Brands

Align your brand with maternal health organizations by sponsoring educational events or donating a portion of sales to support C-section awareness initiatives. Promote informed choices.

Organizations & Brands for Cesarean Awareness Month

  1. International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN)

    Founded in 1982, ICAN is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans and providing support for recovery. They offer resources and local chapters worldwide.

  2. Lamaze International

    Established in 1960, Lamaze International provides evidence-based education and advocacy for healthy, safe, and informed pregnancy, birth, and early parenting. They champion natural birth and support informed decision-making.

  3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

    Founded in 1951, ACOG is the leading professional membership organization for obstetrician–gynecologists. They set clinical guidelines and advocate for women's health, including appropriate C-section use.

  4. March of Dimes

    Since 1938, the March of Dimes has worked to improve the health of mothers and babies. They fund research, lead programs, and provide education and advocacy to help families have healthy pregnancies and births.

  5. Philips Avent

    A global brand of baby products, Philips Avent offers a range of items for feeding, sterilizing, and monitoring. They often partner with health organizations to support new parents and promote infant well-being.

  6. Pampers

    Introduced in 1961, Pampers is a leading brand of diapers and baby wipes. They frequently engage in initiatives supporting maternal and infant health, providing resources and products to new families.

  7. Medela

    A Swiss company founded in 1961, Medela specializes in breastfeeding products and medical vacuum technology. They are committed to supporting mothers and babies through research-based products and educational resources.

Cesarean Awareness Month Hero

Dr. Ferdinand Adolf Kehrer

Dr. Ferdinand Adolf Kehrer (1846–1914) was a German gynecologist credited with pioneering a safer and more effective technique for cesarean sections in 1881. His transverse uterine incision method significantly reduced maternal mortality and morbidity, transforming the procedure into a viable life-saving option.

History of Cesarean Awareness Month

Human beings belong to the subgroup of mammals called primates. But during evolution, some of our features set us apart from other ape-like creatures, which indeed brought us some advantages, but may also have brought us some problems.

One of those problems surrounds natural childbirth. The human body has undergone several transformations to walk upright on two legs, including the shortening of the pelvis. In addition, is the fact that our species has a singularly large brain. Mothers with short pelvises and babies with large heads have made human childbirth a painful and potentially dangerous event.

From the 16th century onwards, with the progress of modern science based on intense intervention on the body and nature, childbirth became increasingly instrumentalized and medicalized. On the one hand, this allowed the development of increasingly safe techniques to save countless mothers and children who previously died during childbirth.

The most iconic of these was the cesarean section. On the other hand, a growing medical intervention in childbirth, especially from the 20th century onwards, ended up hampering women’s right to choose and transforming cesarean section into an epidemic in some countries.

Cesarean Awareness Month is an initiative of the International Cesarean Awareness Network to educate the public about the reality of childbirth. Unfortunately, there are numerous reports of mothers suffering moral and physical trauma during pregnancy and childbirth. The indiscriminate prescription of cesareans is part of this statistic called obstetric violence, a specific violation of human rights and a considerable public health problem.

To protect mothers who were victims of obstetric violence and misinformation during pregnancy, women and families all over the U.S. and Canada organized themselves into grassroots movements in the 1970s. Out of these movements emerged the Cesarean Prevention Movement, which later became the International Cesarean Awareness Network.

Cesarean Awareness Month timeline

1970s
A Grassroots Movements for Cesarean Prevention

Victims of obstetric violence and women seeking opportunities for humanized childbirth organize themselves in grassroots movements.

1982
The International Cesarean Awareness Network

Several activists for the reduction of preventable cesareans come together and form the International Cesarean Awareness Network.

1990s
Vaginal Births Gain More Acceptance

The claim for dignity at the time of childbirth and respect for the decisions of mothers makes vaginal delivery gain greater public acceptance.

1999
New Positioning of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists revises its guidelines on vaginal delivery and ends up encouraging the return of cesarean sections.

2003
The Network Grows Stronger

With the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ review, several health facilities abandon vaginal births and thousands of pregnant women are left with no option and start to seek help from the International Cesarean Awareness Network.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Cesarean Awareness Month

Local businesses can honor Cesarean Awareness Month by partnering with maternal health organizations to host educational workshops or offer discounts on postpartum recovery products. Birthing centers and hospitals can provide free webinars on C-section recovery, VBAC options, and informed consent. Retailers specializing in maternity wear or baby products can highlight resources and support networks for C-section parents throughout April.

Cesarean Awareness Month FAQs

When is Cesarean Awareness Month?

In 2027, Cesarean Awareness Month is observed throughout April, continuing its mission to raise awareness about C-sections, support recovery, and promote appropriate use of the procedure.

How common are cesarean sections?

Globally, C-section rates vary widely, but the World Health Organization estimates that rates above 10-15% are not associated with reductions in maternal or newborn mortality, highlighting the need for appropriate use and informed decision-making.

Why is Cesarean Awareness Month important?

The observance in 2027 remains crucial for fostering a deeper understanding of C-sections within healthcare systems and communities. It advocates for respectful maternity care, highlights the importance of shared decision-making, and addresses disparities in access to appropriate care.

What is a VBAC?

A VBAC can offer benefits such as a shorter recovery time and avoidance of major abdominal surgery risks. However, it requires careful consideration and discussion with healthcare providers to assess individual eligibility and ensure a safe birthing experience.

How to Observe Cesarean Awareness Month

  1. Let everyone know about Cesarean Awareness Month

    Spread the word on social media about events and information on the procedure. Share the graphs and numbers.

  2. Show some concern

    Show your care and interest. Research online and find out more about what expectant mothers go through physically, psychologically, and emotionally before and after a cesarean.

  3. Help pregnant women get informed

    Do you have any friends or family who are expectant mothers? Share your knowledge and support.

5 Facts About Cesarean Sections You Should Know

  1. The first cesarean took place in 1500

    It was done by a sow castrator from Switzerland when he realized that his wife was facing complications.

  2. It is also called a c-section

    Cesarean delivery is also known as a c-section.

  3. Four countries lead in cesarean overuse

    In Brazil, Cyprus, Egypt, and the Dominican Republic more than half of the births are by cesarean section.

  4. Fewer children are born on holidays

    With the overuse of cesarean sections and scheduled deliveries, the number of births on holidays is decreasing.

  5. Not every woman needs it

    About 26% of C-sections in the US are performed on healthy women with low-risk pregnancies.

Why Cesarean Awareness Month is Important

  1. It helps women in vulnerable situations

    The high number of unnecessary cesarean sections and obstetric abuse is compounded by the condition of vulnerability in which a pregnant woman might find herself. Raising childbirth awareness is critical to protecting expectant mothers from possible mistreatment.

  2. It helps reduce postpartum depression rates

    One study found that first-time mothers who give birth by unplanned cesarean section are 15% more likely to suffer from postpartum depression. Being prepared can help greatly.

  3. It's the kind of information that saves lives

    Cesarean Awareness Month informs families about the risks and complications of a cesarean, including the situations when it is needed. This helps reduce postpartum depression and possible post-surgery complications, which protect women's lives.

Cesarean Awareness Month dates

Year Date Day
2027 April 1 Thursday
2028 April 1 Saturday
2029 April 1 Sunday
2030 April 1 Monday
2031 April 1 Tuesday