Ivanna, who practices at St. Carolus Hospital and Angsamerah Clinic in Jakarta, recalled an experience she had in 2017, when a patient was berated by her mother-in-law while she was recovering from the surgical procedure.

“I told her [the mother-in-law], ‘Ma’am, there is no need to make a fuss about this. You’ve already been given a grandchild,’” the 36-year-old doctor recounted. “As doctors, we need to make an extra effort to explain to family members when C-sections are needed.”

Ivanna said her patients often felt intimidated when their mothers and mothers-in-law told them that they’d never had a C-section. In one instance, a patient’s mother boasted that she had had seven children, all natural births. In another, a woman insisted that her daughter-in-law should not have a C-section, even after the patient’s cervix had dilated to 8 centimeters but the baby’s head was still not visible.

This is called crowning, indicating that the baby has entered the birth canal and labor is progressing.

“As a doctor, I have one goal and only one: the safety of the mother and her baby,” said Ivanna.

“Every birth has its own [difficulties]… So why should we debate over [which method is best]?" she added.

Popular

Much ado about asset forfeiture

Mass poisonings cast doubt on free meals reforms

Indonesia, China eye cooperation to boost 3 million homes program