Caesarean Section Day

Caesarean Section Day is January 14

Caesarean Section Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the first successful C-section performed in the United States. It was performed by Dr. Jesse Bennett on January 14, 1794 on his wife, who was unable to deliver on her own. He performed the operation in his home without the proper equipment. The doctor hired to deliver Mrs. Bennett's baby refused to do the surgery because of the low survival rate, forcing Bennett to do it himself. Everyone in attendance knew that it was unlikely both mother and child would survive. They were mostly hoping to save the baby. Miraculously, both made it through. Bennett did not think anyone would believe that he had successfully performed this surgery in such conditions, so he never reported it. It wasn't until Dr. A.L. Knight, a neighbor of the Bennetts tracked down some witnesses and set the record straight with an article after Bennett's death. This finally gave him the credit he deserved for his achievement.