"Delivering Concern: Exploring the Rapid Surge of C-Sections in Pakistan"

 

It is essential that pregnant women should have access to health care that is immediate and accessible without any discretion globally. The provision of healthcare facilities for cesarean deliveries is also included in the immediate availability of obstetric care for women. Although cesarean sections are considered a safe surgical technique, the massive rise in cesarean births has drawn the attention of public health professionals worldwide. Overuse of C-sections, on the other hand, can have major repercussions for both pregnant women and newborns.

The international medical community considers a cesarean section rate of 10 to 15% to be optimum. However, due to the significant increase, the World Health Organization no longer advocates a certain target for countries to achieve based on population size. According to several ecological studies, cesarean births do not reduce mortality rates when they exceed 10%. Rather, when the rate approaches 15%, the chances of mother and fetus mortality increase. Past research has shown that women who undergo cesarean have a 2 to 4 times greater death rate than those who have a vaginal delivery.

In Pakistan, this rate has skyrocketed from 4% to more than 35% in just a few decades. While C-sections can save lives in certain cases, such as high-risk pregnancies or emergencies, Pakistan's growing propensity for elective C-sections rates exceeds the World Health Organization recommendations, suggesting that Pakistan is part of a trend worldwide of having C-Sections for non-medical reasons. 

Disadvantages of Caesarean Sections:

Like other surgical procedures, cesarean sections also have potential disadvantages and risks. to both mothers and babies.

It's important to note that C-sections are sometimes necessary and can be lifesaving for both the mother and the baby. However, it's also important to carefully consider the risks and benefits of the procedure and to discuss all options with your healthcare provider.

Cesarean Section Lifesaving in Some Cases, Overuse in Others:

Women with certain health issues/medical complications are recommended cesarean planned by a doctor before the due date and if done during labor due to an emergency. Below are some of the conditions that lead to surgery.

 

Apart from medical conditions, there are several other factors too that contribute to the rising trend. The most recent CDC data supports the impression that cesarean overuse is underway and will most certainly continue. Mother preferences, provider preferences, and financial incentives for elective procedures are all important facets, making it difficult to determine the greatest lever for the shift.

Major Concerns for High Cesarean Rate:

With the growing rate and concerns, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stated that without the obvious evidence of a concomitant decrease in maternal and neonatal morbidity, the significant rise is clearly a sign of overuse of a technique. There are four primary reasons that are a concern for high C-Section rates in our healthcare system are as follows:

  

Other Contributing Factors:

Many factors contribute to this rising rate in Pakistan, including a lack of education and awareness of natural birth, monetary support for health care professionals, and societal taboos about pregnancy and birth. It's important to note that while C-sections can be lifesaving in certain situations, they also come with higher risks of complications compared to vaginal delivery and can have long-term impacts on maternal and infant health. Therefore, efforts to reduce unnecessary C-sections and promote evidence-based vaginal delivery should be a priority in maternal health care.