Rising C-Section Rates in India: A Closer Look at the Trends and Implications

Recent data from the sixth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) reveals a significant increase in the number of Caesarean-section (C-section) deliveries in India, rising from 21.5% in 2019-21 to 27.2% in 2023-24. This trend is particularly pronounced in private healthcare facilities, where over half of the deliveries—54%—are performed by C-section. The rising numbers have sparked a debate among health experts regarding the factors contributing to this increase and the implications for maternal and child health.

One of the primary reasons cited for the surge in C-sections is the improved accessibility to quality obstetric care in many regions. More women are now opting for facility-based deliveries, where trained medical professionals can better identify complications that necessitate surgical interventions. However, while improved access plays a role, experts also point to coercion and commercialization within the healthcare system as significant contributors to the soaring rates of unnecessary C-sections.

The data shows that public hospitals, which account for approximately 60% of all births in India, maintain a C-section rate of around 17%. This figure is relatively close to the optimal global standard, indicating that these facilities are effectively managing their resources and providing necessary emergency obstetric care. Kranti Vora, a visiting faculty member at the Society for Education, Action and Research in Community Health, emphasizes that the public sector’s ability to keep C-section rates low reflects their enhanced capacity in managing childbirth complications.

In contrast, private hospitals have a markedly higher incidence of C-sections. A research note from the World Health Organization (WHO) released in 2015 stated that C-section rates exceeding 10% do not correspond to reductions in maternal or newborn mortality on a population level. Such findings raise concerns about the motivations behind the high C-section rates in private healthcare settings, where financial incentives may lead to unnecessary surgical interventions.

Conditions that often justify a C-section include failure to progress in labor, fetal distress, placenta previa, and abnormal presentations such as breech or transverse positions. While these medical reasons warrant surgical delivery, experts caution against the widespread practice of elective C-sections, which may stem from patient preference or perceived convenience rather than genuine medical need. The implications of this trend are far-reaching, affecting both the health of mothers and infants, as well as the overall healthcare system in India.

Source: scroll.in