Explaining the risks of C-section

Doctors must put the safety and well-being of expectant mothers before anything else

The UAE’s rate of Caesarean births, which continues to be above the World Health Organisation’s recommended rates of 19 to 21 per cent, is a matter of concern. istockphoto.com

The country’s rate of Caesarean births, which continues to be above the World Health Organisation’s recommended rates of 19 to 21 per cent, is a matter of concern. Out of all births in this country, 36 per cent are done by a C-section – much higher than countries with similarly developed medical systems. In the UK, for example, the figure is only about 25 per cent.

There is no doubt that there are times when these operations are necessary to save the life of the mother, but lifestyle and personal preference also play a role in the high rate. With women in developed countries tending to have children later in life, many of them may choose a C-section to avoid complications. But some opt to do it simply to choose the date and time of birth or to avoid the physical pain associated with natural birth, without being aware of the potential side effects of the operation.

What is much more concerning about the high local rate of Caesarean sections is the suggestion that some doctors, knowing they make more money from a C-section than from a natural birth, are putting profit over the mother's well-being. As The National reported yesterday, health insurers claim they pay enormous sums for unnecessary Caesarean sections, which cost roughly 2.5 to four times more than normal delivery in part because patients stay in hospital for longer and pay more money for their medical care during that period.

It’s true that in some cases it is necessary for doctors to carry out C-sections because of problems that arise during labour but in the absence of a medical necessity, doctors have the responsibility to clearly explain complications. To make an educated choice, women should be fully aware that this kind of birth involves serious risks, including exposure to antibiotic-resistant superbugs, blood clots and other problems that may affect health and fertility. It also requires longer recovery time that affects the mother’s day-to-day activities. Being used when they are not strictly necessary – particularly if for the doctor’s profit margin – is a practice that must be denounced and stopped.