C-Safe

Caesarean section is considered a life-saving procedure for pregnant women and their babies. Yet, in low- and middle income countries, mothers who give birth by caesarean section are 100 times more likely to die than those having the procedure in high-income countries. In these settings, caesarean sections also contribute to life-long health problems that affect the women's quality of life and their ability to safely have more children. Their babies are also at high risk of dying during or soon after caesarean section. The three main reasons for poor outcomes after caesarean section in low- and middle-income countries are:

1. Inappropriate caesarean sections (e.g. performed 'too many, too soon' or 'too little, too late')

2. Unsafe practices in performing the procedure

3. Substandard care in labour (e.g. not culminating in vaginal birth which leads to complicated caesarean sections in advanced labour).

Many issues contribute to the above problems such as lack of knowledge and skills to undertake safe caesarean section (and to achieve safe vaginal births - both normal and by using instruments). In addition, attitudes towards caesarean section and use of vacuum or forceps, marginalisation of midwives, dysfunctional teamwork, a culture of blame and medico-legal concerns, influence of family members and communities in decision-making, poor communication skills between women and healthcare providers and amongst clinicians, and inability to determine why caesarean sections are performed worsen the problem.

There is no single solution to the above complex problems. We need to both improve the safety of caesarean sections and ensure they are only done when needed. To do this, we will co-develop evidence-based interventions that are acceptable, equitable, sustainable and which can be adapted or scaled-up cost-effectively across settings, by collaborating with women and their support networks, healthcare providers, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders.

We propose a 5-year Programme that aims to improve mother and baby outcomes following caesarean sections in low[1]and middle-income countries. The Programme (C-Safe) plans to (ii) ensure caesarean sections are done for the right reasons (C-Why), (ii) improve their safety (C-Op), and (iii) promote safe and respectful care in labour resulting in vaginal births, including safe delivery with instruments (C-Non). The C-Safe intervention will be implemented using a comprehensive training Programme, empowerment of local opinion leaders (C-Safe Champions) and mothers, team-based working, and learning through audit and feedback, in four hospitals each in India and Tanzania (30,000 births).

The C-Safe Programme involves four work packages that will (i) identify and bring together evidence on the effects of interventions and outcomes, (ii) rank the interventions and outcomes according to their importance to key local professionals, local maternity care users, and community members, (iii) develop the interventions with regional healthcare providers, women and policymakers on what is considered to be beneficial, acceptable, relevant, accessible and feasible and (iv) test whether the C-Safe strategy changes practices and increases uptake of the intervention by healthcare providers, as well as the number of women receiving it. We will also assess costs and views of healthcare providers, women, their family and community members on being part of it. Building academic and training capacity and capability, and involving women and their communities in all aspects of the study, are core features.

The team includes doctors, midwives, experts in study design, patient and public involvement groups, trainers, policymakers. They are supported by members of the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Jhpiego, Professional associations, ELLY Charity.