Choose C-sections only when there is a medical reason

According to a survey by the World Health Organization(WHO) published online in The Lancet, women who had caesarean sections without a medical reason were 10 times more likely to be admitted to intensive care, required blood transfusions or encountered complications.


The WHO study reviewed nearly 110,000 births in 9 Asian countries in 2007-08 and found that about 27% of the births were done by C-sections, 2/3 of the hospitals surveyed make more money if C-sections were carried out. The authors warned that C-sections should be opted for only when there is a medical indication to improve the outcome.

In the UK, nearly a quarter of births are carried out by C-sections despite the evidence against it.

Source: "Method of delivery and pregnancy outcomes in Asia: the WHO global survey on maternal and perinatal health 2007—08" The Lancet, Early Online Publication, 12 January 2010 ( f/t via Athens)

Caesarean birth may double morbidity and mortality risk

A new study invovling 97,307 deliveries of babies during the three-month study period in some randomly selected countries has found that women who deliver through non-emergency caesarean birth have double the risk of morbidity and mortality for themselves and the babies as compared to those who go for a vaginal birth.

However, researchers found caesarean delivery prevented foetal deaths in breech born babies.

Source: "Maternal and neonatal individual risks and benefits associated with caesarean delivery: multicentre prospective study" BMJ Online First, doi:10.1136/bmj.39363.706956.55 (published 30 October 2007)