Citation: Michael, T.O.; Agbana, R.D.; Naidoo, K. Exploring Perceptions of Cesarean Sections among Postpartum Women in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study. Women 2024, 4, 73–85. https://doi.org/10.3390/ women4010006 Academic Editors: Gilbert Donders, Giovanni Gabutti, Richard B. Kreider, Ilona Hromadnikova and Mary V. Seeman Received: 17 January 2024 Revised: 8 March 2024 Accepted: 13 March 2024 Published: 15 March 2024 Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). Article Exploring Perceptions of Cesarean Sections among Postpartum Women in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study Turnwait Otu Michael 1, * , Richard Dele Agbana 2 and Kammila Naidoo 1 1 Department of Sociology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa; kammilan@uj.ac.za 2 Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, KM 8.5, Afe Babalola Way, Ado-Ekiti 360231, Nigeria; richdel@abuad.edu.ng * Correspondence: mturnwait@uj.ac.za Abstract: Cesarean sections have become increasingly common globally, including in Nigeria. This qualitative study explores the perceptions and experiences of postpartum women who un- derwent cesarean sections within the distinct contexts of Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 24 postpartum women in selected health facilities in urban and rural areas. A diverse sample was purposively selected to capture a range of experiences based on age, residence, education, and cultural backgrounds. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns and themes within the data. The findings revealed diverse emotional responses among participants, ranging from relief and gratitude to disappointment and feelings of loss for not experiencing a vaginal birth. Societal pressures and cultural expectations played a significant role in influencing women’s perceptions and experiences of cesarean sections. Future childbirth preferences and support systems, including healthcare provider–patient relation- ships and community support, were identified as crucial factors impacting postoperative recovery. This study contributes to the understanding of women’s perceptions of cesarean sections within the local context of Ibadan, Nigeria. The findings underscore the importance of culturally sensitive healthcare practices, clear communication, and support systems to enhance the birthing experiences of women undergoing cesarean sections. Keywords: cesarean sections; postpartum women; perceptions; experiences 1. Introduction Childbirth is a pivotal and transformative event in a woman’s life, holding immense physical, emotional, and cultural significance [1,2]. In recent decades, the global land- scape of childbirth has witnessed a notable rise in cesarean sections (CS), a surgical proce- dure aimed at delivering a baby through an incision in the mother’s abdominal wall and uterus [3–5]. While cesarean sections can be lifesaving and medically necessary in certain cases, the increasing prevalence of elective or non-medically indicated CS births has raised concerns and sparked discussions about the perceptions and experiences of women who undergo this procedure [6–8]. The 2021 World Health Organization report highlights the global rise in the utiliza- tion of caesarean sections, accounting for 21% of all childbirths. Since 1990, worldwide rates have surged from approximately 7% to the current 21%, a trend expected to per- sist in the upcoming decade [9]. It is projected that nearly one-third (29%) of all births will involve caesarean sections by 2030 [9,10]. However, the accessibility of caesarean sections is markedly disparate, contingent on a woman’s geographical location. In China, Latin America, and the Caribbean, caesarean section rates soar as high as between 41% to 54% of all births [4,11]. In five countries (the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Cyprus, Egypt, and Turkey), caesarean sections surpass vaginal deliveries [9,12]. Conversely, in the least Women 2024, 4, 73–85. https://doi.org/10.3390/women4010006 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/women