There have been various discussions, controversies and talks on Cesarean (c-section) delivery and it’s pros or cons. As per World Health Organisation (WHO), the need for Cesarean births in a country should ideally not exceed 10-15%. In India, a rise in Cesarean deliveries have been noted in the last few years.
The national C-section rate is 21.5%, higher than what the World Health Organization terms “ideal”, 10-15%, according to National Family Health Survey.
Far more worrying, however, is the growing disparity in the number of C-section births at government and private sector facilities. At the national level, 47.4 per cent babies born in the private sector are being delivered by surgical methods, as compared to just 14.3 per cent in the government sector. One of the most crucial reasons for this growing rate of C-sections is the increase of institutional births and other attributable factors like unregulated health facilities, mainly private institutions and an increasing trend of women opting for it.
Since the last few decades, female education and their awareness regarding career has changed immensely. These factors have led to an increasing number of women giving priority to their career and settling down in a suitable job. Thus, by the time they get married and become pregnant with their first child they have crossed 30 years of age. Increasing number of women opting for delayed marriage followed by late child birth, along with lifestyle and environmental factors leads to an increase in the chances of a C-section delivery. Post thirty, the biological clock starts ticking for women. This gives rise to complications related to pregnancy and thereby chances of normal delivery also reduces. As the flexibility, pain enduring capacity of the body and fear of pain is not the same post thirty, it leads to various complications during delivery.
Myth: Complications faced in C-section and normal delivery are similar
Fact: Those who undergo a C-section are more likely to suffer complications as during delivery the mother may face severe bleeding, blood clots, heart attack, kidney failure and major infections.
Myth: Babies born through cesarean find it difficult to breast feed after the operation.
Fact: Those with a normal delivery experience the onset of milk around day 3 after delivery but those who undergo a C-section experience increase in their milk volume from Day 4. Nowadays, a lactation consultant or even the nurse helps understand how to breastfeed in the side lying or clutch hold positions to help the baby’s weight off the incision.
Myth: Recovery period for any kind of delivery is similar
Fact: Those who undergo a normal vaginal delivery manage to recover within a week or two but after a C-section the recovery can take up to six weeks as well. Hospital stay, post normal delivery is two days but after a Cesarean it takes 4 days. Six weeks postpartum, one should ensure complete rest, avoid exercise or driving as well.
Myth: Post your due date, prefer scheduling a C-section rather than trying to induce.
Fact: Induction before your cervix is dilated does increase chances that you may need a C-section in the end due to the possibility that the induction will fail to cause contractions. Through an induction, many people can have uncomplicated vaginal deliveries with less maternal morbidity than with a Cesarean.
Although caesarean delivery can be a life-saving surgery, this procedure should be performed only when medically indicated… Unnecessary caesarean deliveries may be associated with higher health care costs. Given that private sector facilities were associated with increases in the rate of caesarean deliveries; it is important that policy makers address the increasing number of avoidable caesarean deliveries in India