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CHINA IS TOO dependent on caesarian sections, a new commentary in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (BJOG) says.
In 2010, around 8 million children were delivered by c-section in China, the commentary says. That represents an exponential growth. Although the exact rate is not known, the current Chinese language literature on caesarean rates in China reports total caesarean rates ranging from 36% to 58%. However, before the 1980s, the caesarean rate was below 5% and it did not rise above 10% until after 1990.
The commentary, offering an analysis into reasons for the increase in caesarean section in the last few decades, concludes that China’s high caesarean section rate appears to be driven by three factors: the structure of the obstetric care system, provider incentives and cultural aspects of patient preference.
It pinpoints a number of reasons for thigh uptake of c-sections:
Susan Hellerstein, Assistant Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and co-author of the study said:
“Since the 1990’s China has seen a dramatic increase in caesarean delivery rates from less than 10% to over half of women now delivering via caesarean section. This is likely to change in the future and efforts must be made to encourage vaginal delivery by reforming certain aspects of the Chinese obstetric care system.”
“However, it is important to recognise that any efforts to decrease the caesarean section rate must take into account the safety and effectiveness of this delivery method in modern China and preserve maternal and perinatal health.”
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C-sections are on the rise in Ireland and the UK too, the reasons being it’s easier to have a patient deliver a baby in a nice neat window of time rather than allow a labour to progress naturally, the patient won’t take up a bed and a midwife all day on a labour ward saving both time and money. Nothing against c-sections when they are needed they are needed but an increase of these conveyor belt deliverys is worrying, whatever happened to let nature take its course?
Really? Is that the reason. I thought it might be larger babies? Increased awareness of the dangers of going post dates? Better monitoring of labour? Women being ‘allowed’ to choose how to deliver their babies (lot of people pro-choice on what happens to womens bodies, not just foetuses)
Actually, Irish c-section rates are getting a little bump from doctors mis-hearing “I want an abortion” as “I want a c-section”.
Saying you’re not against c-sections but…sounds like you’re against c-sections. If someone wants a c-section for no good reason that’s their body and their lookout. If they want one for medical reasons it is also none of your business.
Women aren’t always victims, too silly to know how they want to deliver their babies or too stupid to realise how they SHOULD deliver their babies. That’s a pretty insulting perspective.
Increase in multiple births is also a factor.
The red thumbs you are getting say enough, probably from women and partners who’ve been through our consultant led maternity services :D
But I just want to correct your assumption on larger babies. It’s not true that bigger babies need to be delivered surgically. It’s actually harmful fear mongering which may lead to women asking for or acceding to interventions they don’t need. I’m looking forward to birthing whatever size baby my 5 ft body grows for me, at home with a midwife after successfully delivering an almost 10lb baby last time. Evidence based maternity care is all we are asking for, in Ireland, in china, it’s what women and babies deserve.
A Caesarian is supposed to be an emergency procedure, there are benefits to a vaginal birth – for both mother and baby.
If some women wish to choose them then that is indeed their prerogative, but if it’s the OBGYNs pushing it on them (apparently in some of these cases because of the bonus they will get) then that is wrong, and against best medical practice.
Whitesloe talk about putting words in my mouth!!! Like I said not against them, if they’re needed they’re needed, if someone decides that’s what they want that’s just as fine it’s their body they can choose how they want to deliver, the problem I have is doctors pushing them for no reason other than to cut costs!
Lived in Mainland China so have a few points to add:
Chinese generally believe Chinese females aren’t as strong compared to their western sisters – as a result they tend to be wrapped in cotton wool during & after pregnancy – read up on “Sitting Month” and you will see what I mean. C-sections are viewed as less painful, despite the obvious long term pain that comes afterwards.
This is completely ridiculous in my view – and I’ve seen proof! Respect to my hard-as-nails Chinese misses!
Hospitals in China are a racket – they try to overcharge for everything – doctors push drugs like candy, as they are on commission. Health of the patient 9 times out of 10 comes second.
This year however, it seems the hospitals have flipped the other way and now are pushing natural births with bonuses for doctors – naturally some women who shouldn’t proceed with natural births are being pushed to have them, which is barbaric to say the least.
Doctors are paid a bonus for C-Sections, nuff said.
Perhaps the women are encouraged to have their tubes cut at the same time. The one child policy is easily implemented if the woman is sterilised. If they are encouraged to have a c section, the use of an anaesthetic facilitates the other. I’m not medical, so I may be incorrect. But the States interference in private matters is bound to have some questionable side effects.
This isn’t done – the one child policy is generally ignored in the country side and in cities you can pay a one-off fine when having an extra child and your covered.
These days, The one child policy is generally not as strict as it once was.
“…reckons its too dependent”? Come on, guys.
It’s “it’s”.
The Journal is great at taking the pi$$ out of other papers when they get their apostrophes mixed up.
“reasons for thigh uptake”?
Thigh uptake indeed!
“Thigh uptake”… the reason for all the pregnancies ;)
You know there’s a send tip / correction button next to the authors name..
I agree some proof reading wouldn’t go amiss – but have you seen online news sites? Very few actually get their spelling and punctuation right all the time.
The send a tip feature doesn’t work at the moment.
They never usually bother correcting mistakes so it looks like they don’t give a rat’s ar$e either way.
Irish C-section rates are just as bad. The ‘master’ of one of our maternity hospitals called natural birth ‘the most dangerous journey of your life’. Pathetic.
What’s the irish rate then? And is it “just as bad” based on actual figures or just because a few people you know had them? And why is it pathetic for a specialist in the area to acknowledge the dangers inherent? Before the 20th century death in childbirth was extremely common
Well said Mark. I would not be alive today I reckon if it weren’t for c sections. Neither would at least 2 of my 3 children. Irish rates are not just as bad as China. My c sections were given for very good reasons and the recovery from this major abdominal surgery is not one bit easy so these decisions are not taken lightly in my opinion.
No, they’re not as bad as China but in some places they’re doing a great job of catching up.
http://www.eumom.ie/pregnancy/c-section-rates-in-ireland-exceed-who-recommendations/
38% in one place.. WHO recommendations 10-15%.
Here in Hong Kong some pick c sections so that their child is born on a specific day with the right fung shui. Also that and the fact that 10 weeks maternity leave means that your baby may not be born until your leave is nearly half way through!
I am too posh to push
No you’re not.
It’s all about the yuan baby yeah !!
A lot of Asian women have sweet little hips too narrow to push a baby through.
My friend’s wife had a C section with her second baby. While they were doing it, the doctors suggested they tie her tubes so she can’t have any more children. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I know my friend wanted more than 2 kids though. Perhaps they’re cutting women’s tubes after the C sections to help enforce China’s one child policy.
Theiyr’re – choke on that Rupert you self righteous perfectionist. Your petty comments reflect that you do not succeed in life.
Paul – Thanks for the article!
Normally, I don’t correct spelling or punctuation mistakes.
If you had actually read my comments properly, you would realise that I was pointing out the irony of the Journal’s tendency to have a good sneer at other publications’ lack of proper grammar and spelling.
As if my point wasn’t clear enough, Mike, the two mistakes still haven’t been corrected after 10 hours online.
Exactly Rupert, you are 100% right – Thanks for validating my point.
Interesting article, I couldn’t give a fock about spelling, please let me enjoy the article for its content rather than semantics.
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