Unnecessary Cesarean Section Delivery Causes Risk to Both Mother and Baby: A Commentary on Pregnancy Complications and Women’s Health
Zabun Nahar, Md. Sohan, Md. Jamal Hossain, Md. Rabiul Islam
Abstract
In Bangladesh, 3.6 million babies are born each year. But the country is now facing a quickly rising rate of cesarean section (C-section) utilization. Here about 50% of total deliveries are institutional. Among them, two-thirds are in private care facilities, where the rate of C-sections is very high (83%). The present C-section rate is 2.5 times higher than in the previous decades. In Bangladesh, many physicians from private facilities are recommending C-section regardless of the mother's physical condition and the position of the fetus. Therefore, mothers are more likely to choose C-section delivery who receive antenatal care from a private facility. Moreover, several socio-economic and demographic factors might be responsible for these increased C-section deliveries. Also, many private hospitals prefer C-section delivery due to their profit-making tendency. The unnecessary C-section delivery causes risk to both mother and baby Also, the high prevalence of C-section in Bangladesh is putting women's health at risk. Therefore, the government healthcare authorities should ensure proper utilization of C-section facilities and encourage people for normal births at any health facility. Also, they can develop a national guideline for the use of C-sections and normal delivery depending on the physical condition of the mother and fetus.