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Thread: A Caesarean Story of Myth, Magic and Medicine
In 2017 journalist Hannah Marsh was about to give birth to her son after months of preparation, reading and hypnobirthing classes. Following thirty hours of induced labour, Marsh had a caesarean section, a process she had not physically or emotionally prepared for.
In an attempt to heal, Marsh began wondering why the words 'caesarean section' bring up feelings of doubt, shame and judgement for some but a sense of safety, relief, validation and reassurance for others. Why are those two powerful words rarely spoken of in the same ecstatic tones as so-called 'natural', or vaginal birth? Why is the procedure rarely called 'beautiful' or associated with an innate sense of power?
Working her way through history, culture and folklore, it wasn't long before Marsh stumbled upon the pioneering voices and fascinating tales history seems to have forgotten. Take Koronis, mother of Aesclepius, the Greek God of surgery, or Dr James Barry, born Margaret Anne Bulkley, who performed an early and rare successful c-section in which both mother and child survived, in South Africa in 1826.
Weaving in her own experience, a journalist's insatiable curiosity, and the stories of both contemporary and historical women who endured and drove developments, Marsh unflinchingly but compassionately examines a procedure that is much more than surgery.
In an attempt to heal, Marsh began wondering why the words 'caesarean section' bring up feelings of doubt, shame and judgement for some but a sense of safety, relief, validation and reassurance for others. Why are those two powerful words rarely spoken of in the same ecstatic tones as so-called 'natural', or vaginal birth? Why is the procedure rarely called 'beautiful' or associated with an innate sense of power?
Working her way through history, culture and folklore, it wasn't long before Marsh stumbled upon the pioneering voices and fascinating tales history seems to have forgotten. Take Koronis, mother of Aesclepius, the Greek God of surgery, or Dr James Barry, born Margaret Anne Bulkley, who performed an early and rare successful c-section in which both mother and child survived, in South Africa in 1826.
Weaving in her own experience, a journalist's insatiable curiosity, and the stories of both contemporary and historical women who endured and drove developments, Marsh unflinchingly but compassionately examines a procedure that is much more than surgery.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 11, 2025
“Birth, however it happens, is nothing short of a miracle. But for a long time I didn’t feel my own birth story to be worthy of that label. Now I realise the extraordinary beauty that lies in the gift of motherhood that the Caesarean section has given me.”
This book was nothing short of healing from me. Like the author, I too was preparing for a “natural” birth only to end up birthing via emergency C-section. The experience left me raw and ashamed, feeling like my body failed.
The author explores the history of the C-section, weaving in her own story and folklore to create a nuanced read about the procedure. It’s gorgeous, honest, and compassionate - not falling into any kind of dogma on what birth should look like.
Reading this book has helped me to come to terms with my birthing experience and see that it too is magical.
This book was nothing short of healing from me. Like the author, I too was preparing for a “natural” birth only to end up birthing via emergency C-section. The experience left me raw and ashamed, feeling like my body failed.
The author explores the history of the C-section, weaving in her own story and folklore to create a nuanced read about the procedure. It’s gorgeous, honest, and compassionate - not falling into any kind of dogma on what birth should look like.
Reading this book has helped me to come to terms with my birthing experience and see that it too is magical.
October 11, 2025
I needed this book. My Cesarian was the opposite of the birth I had planned and envisioned. A poignant telling of how it feels to be in that position our author made me feel seen, less alone and by the end incredibly appreciative of the medical advancement that resulted in a surgery that meant my son and I both survived his birth. I'm glad the "too posh to push" trope was addressed given it is in reference to a surgery which terrified me in pregnancy and that is rough to recover from.
It is also so impressive the way Marsh captured the primal, animalistic instinct to protect and love your child combined with the feeling of being a failure and somehow less worthy of a mother for not being able to have a natural, hypnobirthing, medically-non-invasive birth. Maybe my Son will be kissed by fate and stronger than others for his folklore laden entrance into this world or maybe not... but he is here, he was safely delivered and I am here, recovered and mothering him 🙏 that can be good enough ♥️
It is also so impressive the way Marsh captured the primal, animalistic instinct to protect and love your child combined with the feeling of being a failure and somehow less worthy of a mother for not being able to have a natural, hypnobirthing, medically-non-invasive birth. Maybe my Son will be kissed by fate and stronger than others for his folklore laden entrance into this world or maybe not... but he is here, he was safely delivered and I am here, recovered and mothering him 🙏 that can be good enough ♥️
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews