The term c-section or caesarean is rumoured to have originated from the Roman emperor Julius Caeser, who was supposedly "cut" from his mother's womb during birth. But that's more fiction than fact. The word finds its roots not in Caeser but in caesus meaning "to cut" in Latin. The misconception about c-section today goes beyond the name. The life-saving childbirth method is also used to shame mothers who opt for it.

Mothers who birth using the c-section are labelled as lazy or insensitive. This, in part, has to do with some of the medical literature that claims c-section births may not be good for the child. A 2018 study says that children born through caesarean births are more likely to be obese. Others point to long-term repercussions like autism, bronchial asthma, diabetes and respiratory complications. It also doesn't allow the child to have the beneficial skin-to-skin contact with the mother, immediately after birth.

There's a stigma associated with c-sections because it is assumed that pregnant women always have a say in the delivery method, which is far from the truth. In most cases, mothers don't desire c-sections and prefer a natural birthing method. But medical conditions like obesity, a breech position of the foetus and other such complications force them to opt for surgery despite planning for a healthy pregnancy. 

Sadly, these moms are accused of taking the easy way out and not caring for the well-being of the child. Women who birthed through c-section are also made to feel lesser for having "missed out" on the experience of natural birth. No wonder many new moms who have had c-sections feel intense shame, guilt and regret.

But now a small section of moms are fighting against their stigma by calling c-sections 'belly birth' instead. What's in a name one may ask? The term c-section is a rather indifferent and undignified name for an emotional part of a woman's life. It sounds every bit the surgical term it is. Many moms feel that they didn't have a significant role to play in the birthing because most of the work was done by the obstetrician.

In an article in PopSugar, Jordan Grissom, a health coach explains how words and language have immense powers. And once the language is changed, it could also impact the mindset. Like her, many c-section moms have been choosing to call the surgery "belly birth" to reinforce the fact they too have birthed.

By renaming the c-section, the mothers hope to speak about their births positively, to remove the stigma around it and to connect with the birth at a deeper level.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2018 08:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).