Doctors Warn Of Alarming C-section ‘Epidemic’

According to the BBC.com millions of women are having unnecessary and potentially harmful cesarean sections instead of vaginal birth, doctors said in new research. Elective use of C-sections is becoming an "epidemic," they said.

Global rates of cesarean section use almost doubled between 2000 and 2015, a study has found, with many surgeries being performed without any significant maternal or birth-related benefits.

C-sections can save the lives of women and babies when there are birth complications such as fetal distress, or abnormal positioning. However, the research published in The Lancet medical journal suggests overuse of the surgery can lead to considerable short and long-term effects and health-care costs.

Experts estimate between 10 and 15 percent of births medically require a caesarean section.  However, researchers calculated that, while in 2000 some 12 percent of births were performed using a C-section, the percentage had risen to 21 by 2015.

Drawing on World Health Organization and UNICEF data from 169 countries, the research uncovered large discrepancies between geographical regions, with 60 percent of countries overusing C-sections and 25 percent under-using them.

There were not only different C-section rates between countries but also within them according to women's socio-economic status and access to medical facilities.

Wealthier, educated women in urban areas with better access to medical facilities tend to have much higher C-section rates even when they were at low obstetric risk, the research found.

"The large increases in C-section use – mostly in richer settings for non-medical purposes – are concerning because of the associated risks for women and children.

C-sections can lead higher risks for future births, including scarring of the womb, uterine rupture, abnormal placentation, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, and preterm birth.

The research suggested some women are motivated to have medically unnecessary C-sections because of previous negative experiences with vaginal birth, fear, pain relief or concerns about incontinence and reduced sexual function.

It has also become "fashionable" and considered "modern” or safer to have a C-section in some countries, the research said.

The authors suggested women be provided with more information and consultations about C-sections. They also advocated for increasing midwifery care and ensuring doctors are making evidence-based decisions to use C-sections.