A Dangerous Crutch or Reliable Option: The Context of Cesarean Births on Isla Mujeres

Abstract

Abstract Cesarean births are serious and costly surgical procedures that can be lifesaving in emergencies, but are becoming more preferable to vaginal births globally due to their comparative predictability and relative quickness. For example, a mother I spoke with had a two and a half day delivery, while a cesarean birth only takes around two hours. Cesarean births are predictable in that a doctor is in control of what is happening, instead of complimenting the natural process and rhythm of the laboring mother. This makes cesarean births preferable for many doctors and for some mothers as well. Ideally, the rate of cesarean sections would be 10-15 percent of all births, according to the World Health Organization, but in Mexico, nearly half of all births are cesarean births (Freyermuth, Munos, and del Pilar Ochoa 2017; WHO 2015). This paper shows how macro-level structures impact the type of birth a mother on Isla Mujeres wishes to have, assuming she is aware of such resources. Data comes from formal interviews with doctors and immigrants on Isla Mujeres, informal interviews with Mexican women living on Isla Mujeres, surveys, and participation observation at the Community Hospital.