Cesarean delivery (C-section) is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby. Even though it has contributed more to the welfare of mankind and saved more lives than any other surgical intervention designed or devised till date, the frequency is alarming and against the WHO recommendations.
The etymology of the expression ‘Caesarean section’ is uncertain. Put otherwise, it ought to be used sparingly and resorted to only in emergencies.
Mission Director, National Health Mission, on Wednesday chaired a meeting to review Maternal and Child Death Surveillance besides C-Section audit in Jammu and Kashmir.
It was highlighted in the meeting that there is an “increasing trend” of Caesarean Section across all healthcare units of J&K which is a “matter of concern as rising rate of C- Section is a major public health concern which results in risks associated with maternal and prenatal problems”, according to an official statement.
It also discussed that the rise in the number of caesarean births have potential “negative health consequences for both mother as well as the infant and as such there is no potential evidence to support that C-section delivery has any positive benefit for either mother or infant who do not require the procedure.”
Nature has made elaborate arrangements for childbirth and resorting to artificial methods is not prudent. Experts say there are only two groups of indications for resorting to alternatives: Mechanical abnormalities or functional disorders of the genital organs or the passage; and an imminent danger to the foetus — when its stay any longer in the womb would be disastrous to itself, technically called foetal distress.
The MD NHM stressed upon the officers to take all measures to address the issue of increasing trend of caesarean births rightly saying that all facilities must ensure C-section audit which is one of the effective non clinical interventions to tackle this issue. There is need to identify, review and take corrective measures to ascertain the causes and determinants of maternal and child deaths to prevent future mishaps.
There is a need to create awareness by the government to allow the foetus to “follow the royal road.” Also, there is a need for the government, both J&K and the centre to take action against those resorting to such a procedure outside the realm of the necessary interventions.