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C-section figures high despite fall in a decade
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THE government wants more women to undergo natural childbirth, but many mothers-to-be still prefer caesarean section.
According to Shanghai health officials, 50.7 percent of pregnant women in 2013 had c-sections. That is the lowest figure in the last decade but remains higher than the 15 percent ratio recommended by the World Health Organization.
The Shanghai Health and Family Planning Commission said it will continue its efforts to promote natural childbirth.
The findings, released yesterday, didn't specify numbers of women or hospitals in the survey.
“In the beginning, I thought about natural childbirth,” said a unidentified pregnant woman, cited in the report. “But as my pregnancy continues, I’m becoming more afraid of the pain.”
A midwife, who has been working for eight years in Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University delivering babies without surgery, said she understands the pain factor but she thinks women don’t always understand the risks of caesareans.
“Experience tells me that up to 60 percent of women who have c-sections could have undergone natural birth,” said Wu Danping. “Natural birth is better for babies. C-sections should be used only when there are medical reasons.”
The Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital said it offers sessions promoting use of natural childbirth for mothers-to-be.
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