Udupi: There is a fall in the number of normal pregnancies occurring at the district government hospital as well as private hospital in the district. The number pregnancies via caesarian section are increasing by the year.
Government hospital
In a span of 3 years, 11,094 pregnancies have occurred at the government hospital of which close to 60% are through C-section.
| Year |
Normal
Pregnancy |
C-Section |
| 2016 – 17 |
1,746 |
2,047 |
| 2017 – 18 |
1,917 |
1,939 |
| 2018 – 19 |
2,264 |
2,248 |
Private Hospitals’
In the last 4 years, 35,623 pregnancies have occurred at private hospitals in the district of which 60% (18,765) are through C-section while 40% are through natural pregnancy.
| Year |
Normal
pregnancy |
C-section |
| 2016 – 17 |
4,744 |
5,100 |
| 2017 – 18 |
4,962 |
4,947 |
| 2018 – 19 |
4,435 |
5,789 |
| 2019 – 20 (till date) |
2,685 |
2,929 |
C-section is recommended for cases of labour developing very serious complications for its ability to save the life of both, the mother and child. However, too much of a good turns for the worse holds true to the fact that currently, c-section is considered to be a social problem. Pregnant mothers are showing more preference for C-section.
The reason for the drastic increase in child delivery via c-section is mostly due to the change in lifestyle of the pregnant mothers, lack of information, lack of ability to bear pain or have patience, preference to give child birth without pain and life insurance are some of the causes. In comparison to normal delivery, c-section is expensive. With the growth in education and job, the insurance amount also increases. Indirectly, this is also responsible for the rise in expense. Although the expense in increasing and is borne by the insurance company, there are some who opt for caesarian section.
There will be more blood loss during c-section. Half-a-liter of blood is lost during normal delivery while, a whole liter of blood is lost during c-section. Hence, the mother could become anemic. During C-section, anesthesia is given via the spinal cord. Sometimes, this is can develop into a back pain. One must realize that if the first delivery is via c-section, then the next delivery also will have to be done via c-section. Sometimes, even if it is not necessary, the doctors give preference to it with the given reason of a precautionary measure.
WHO’s opinion
According to the World Health Organisation, the percentage of c-section done in a country should not exceed more than 10 – 15%. The organization opinions that C-section be opted for only in the cases where the child delivery grows complications and/or if there is health concern regarding the mother.
Intelligent illiterates!
About 4-5 decades ago, only normal deliveries used to take place at homes. Every village had a woman who would look after the process of normal delivery. They were known as the mid-wife. Although they had no proper education, they have nonetheless carried out thousands of normal deliveries successfully. The remuneration given to them was also less. Then, even though the number of pregnancies was more, the expense however, was almost next to nothing since the mid-wife charges were very cheap. And now..?
Expensive!
Presently, the cost for a c-section at a private hospital varies from Rs 30,000 to Rs 60,000 while normal deliveries cost from Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000. However, the service is free at the government hospitals.
Normal delivery recommended
From the mother’s and child’s health point-of-view, normal delivery is recommended. Only when the doctor says it’s a risk, then can one opt for caesarian section. The injury incision done during a c-section requires quite some time to heal. The mother needs to take more bed rest. At the same time, more rest or time is not required for healing after a normal delivery – Dr| Mamata, Obstetrician and SDM Hospital Medical Superintendent
Desire for painless delivery
In Udupi district, new mothers mostly prefer a painless delivery because of which the number of deliveries via caesarian section has increased – Dr| Ashok, DHO, Udupi
Normal delivery via Yoga
Yoga helps in normal delivery. The various yoga positions help in changing the movement and position of the baby in the womb. Through yoga, the mother’s courage and ability to bear pain also increases – Shobha Shetty, Student of B K S Iyengar, Yoga Instructor
