Vijayawada: Caesaren section in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states is registered at 40.1% and 58% respectively in public sector and 57% and 74.9% respectively in private sector according to the National Health Profile 2017. The institutional births in public sector were 38.3% in AP and 31% in Telangana state.
These numbers are an indication that the C-sections continue to be high in both the Telugu states. Two years ago, the government of India, under the guidance of World Health Organisation, had created various programs with gynaecologists and public health officials to reduce the number of C-sections as India had the largest numbers.
The number of C-sections continues to be high as there are issues of muhurtham, unwillingness to go for labour and also IVF complications which make normal birthing a difficult process.
Dr Hema Diwakar, senior gynaecologist, explained, “The biggest problem faced is the auspicious date and time which many families are very insistent on. This has been one of the major reasons for the increasing C-sections. Despite counselling and also telling them that they have to wait for normal labour pain, many of them are not willing. IVF cases are also C-section deliveries as the families want the baby to be born safely.”
While the national average of C-sections is 20.1%, the increase in the states is a cause for concern. Dr Vijaya Lakshmi, a gynaecologist, said, “The women in Bihar need to be appreciated as they opt for normal deliveries. But here we find that many women come with the mindset that they will not bear the pain and want a surgical delivery only. With this new trend, it is becoming very difficult to convince them to opt for labour.”
But in private hospitals across the country, the average of C-section in major cities is as high as 40.9% showing that private hospitals are opting more for this procedure.
Dr Shanta Kumari, secretary of Indian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists explained, “If we tell patients that C-section will not be done, many of them will go to places where it is done without any problems. The C-sections have become a demand from the side of the patient and the family. With this kind of atmosphere, a doctor alone can’t refuse it. Earlier, it was complications after labour which made us rush. But now it is a planned surgery at a particular time and day according to the family.”
