Stop Monetising C-Sections

Monitor Editor | Monday October 9, 2017 11:26

Health authorities have expressed concern over the growing number of elective c-sections in the country in recent years, though statistics were not readily availed to show the extent of the trend. Today, as compared to the past, many women choose not to deliver naturally opting for the convenience of scheduled birth and to evade the pangs of labour. Infact, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dorcas Makgatho said doctors in private practice are in the forefront of this trend, as they tend to promote surgical birth over natural delivery.

As convenient as it sounds to walk into the operating theatre and have one’s young one “painlessly” brought to life, c-section deliveries have more pros than cons. It should be an option only if necessitated by medical reasons. Though elective c-section makes women feel a greater sense of control, knowing when their baby will be born, and can plan for family help, as well as reduce her stress about anticipation of labour, it poses possible pre-term delivery if due date calculation is inaccurate. Moreover, it presents increased maternal blood loss and risk of needing a transfusion. Health experts say there are risks of complications from anesthesia such as pneumonia, allergic reactions and low blood pressure.  There are also possible complications with breast-feeding.

This also increases later pregnancies risks to the mother whether she delivers naturally or by caesarean.  Not only that-the procedure is expensive. In Botswana, the rise of surgical births is prominent in private than in public facilities. There is financial gain on the part of private practitioners and their facilities as they prescribe expensive hospital stays, as the profit margins are higher, making c-sections highly profitable compared to natural birth.

While patients’ personal choices may have some role to play, private hospitals should not ignore the risks involved, and they must let them (patients) know the pros and cons inorder to make informed choices. The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned against unnecessary c-sections because of increased risk to the mother, child, and future pregnancies, in both the short and long term.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness must step up and find ways to regulate this area.