“The gift of life”. One of the most popular sayings to exist in our society. It glorifies life and puts the act of giving birth on a pedestal. But what happens to our society when we try to capitalise on one of the most basic animal processes?
We call it a “gift” yet we’ve found ways to mint money out of it. Caesarean or more commonly known as C – section delivery is one of the most common methods of exploiting women and their families in the name of science and safety.
What are caesareans?
A caesarean is a surgical procedure that is used to deliver a baby through an incision in the abdomen and uterus. It is usually done only after 39 weeks of pregnancy since that ensures the complete development of the baby in the womb.
The caesarean birth / C-section (English Version): https://youtu.be/Y8njkPJY9E8
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. If done prior to 39 weeks, it’s usually because of last-minute emergencies. Caesareans are scheduled in advance on the off chance that you foster pregnancy entanglements, or you’ve had a past C-section and aren’t thinking about a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) or because of medical conditions like the baby being in a breech position, transverse baby, or high maternal blood pressure.
Risks of a caesarean
Caesareans are major surgeries. To reach the baby, the doctor has to cut through multiple layers such as skin, adipose or fat tissue, and the uterus. Like any other surgical procedure, a C-section also comes with its own set of risks. But in this case, there are two people at risk rather than just one.
The baby is at risk of getting injured during the surgery because of surgical nicks. C-section babies are also more prone to developing breathing problems such as transient tachypnoea – a disorder where a baby struggles with breathing right after its birth due to leftover fluids in its lungs.
On the other hand, the mother is prone to a much larger number of post-surgery risks such as excessive bleeding during and after surgery, damage to other surrounding organs, complications caused by general anaesthesia, blood clots in the legs or pelvic region which in rare cases can be life-threatening, and developing an infection on the uterine lining. Future pregnancies after a caesarean are also more likely to lead to complications such as abnormalities to the placenta and risks to the next baby.
Advantages of a caesarean
Most people have a mental block against caesareans because it isn’t the “natural” birth giving process. While it does have its risks, there are numerous advantages to having a caesarean too. For starters, the pain endured by women during labour tremendously reduces since they don’t have to struggle with pushing the baby out and are given anaesthesia during the surgery. Also, if a C-section is recommended to one by a doctor, more often than not it is because it’s the safer option for the mother and the baby.
Myths about Cesarean Delivery in Indian Society!! (English Version): https://youtu.be/ZleviVVpG_s
If the baby is in distress, sick or has a congenital condition, is too large to come out of the birth canal or has a large head, or is in an abnormal position (breech baby or transverse baby), then the safest passage for the baby would be through a C – section rather than a birth canal.
Similarly, if the mother is carrying multiple babies, has a problem with her placenta, additional health concerns such as a heart or brain condition, or even an infection like herpes, a planned caesarean is the recommended procedure. During delivery, if the labour doesn’t start, stall or the mother is too exhausted to continue, then an emergency C-section is conducted to relieve the mother and ensure the safe delivery of the baby.
Caesareans and Capitalism
While caesareans have their set of disadvantages, there is no denying that a c-section can often be necessary. However, one should choose to go through this procedure only when advised by a doctor. But unfortunately, that’s where the problem comes in.
According to the World Health Organisation, a caesarean should be done only when the life of the mother or the child is at risk. ( Read More: https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/maternal_perinatal/cs-statement/en/ )
Alas, many doctors in private hospitals often advise a C – section even when it isn’t required simply to make more money. The cost of a regular delivery in a private hospital falls in the range of 5000-6000 while a caesarean can cost up to 40,000 if not more. ( Read More: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/excessive-c-sections-cost-rs-5000crore/year/articleshow/77273695.cms )
It is this discrepancy that people use to profit over and make money from unsuspecting parents by unnecessarily performing a caesarean. Over the last few years, the number of C-sections being performed has skyrocketed with about 58% of them being conducted in private hospitals and only 17% in government facilities. Contrarily, WHO suggests that only about 10-15% cases need caesareans. Doctors in private hospitals get paid much more for a caesarean as compared to a natural delivery and thus recommend one to most patients, completely disregarding assessing if it is actually required or not and putting the mother and the child at a risk. Also, since a caesarean is a much quicker process, a doctor manages to complete a larger number of deliveries in a single day, thus being able to take on more cases and make more money. Individuals are now so obsessed with making money that they openly take advantage of people who don’t know better and often mislead them as well. (Read More: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/private-hospitals-perform-more-than-thrice-the-number-of-c-section-deliveries/story-VmslBnTpsC3lOCSPhN5AeM.html )
Thus, even birth-giving has now become a money-making racket in our country. The people who are supposed to help us and we blindly trust, are starting to take undue advantage of this trust and are making money off us. The best way to battle such circumstances is by educating oneself and those around us about the pros and cons of the different kinds of delivery, getting second opinions from other doctors, and assessing what the best option is for both the mother and the child.
The government can also play a crucial role in reducing this malpractice by improving the facilities, infrastructure and quality of care provided by government hospitals. Doing so would encourage more people to choose government hospitals over private hospitals and reduce the chances of being mislead and cheated. They could also conduct regular inquiries or make laws against unnecessary caesareans so as to curb the chances of doctors misleading individuals and taking advantage of them.
Overall, it is high time that we take action against doctors who indulge in such unethical practices and restrict their opportunities to misdirect their patients, maintaining healthier and safer healthcare facilities for the citizens of our country.
- Tips for parents undergoing a C-section: https://www.healthline.com/health/c-section#follow-up
