WHO Cautions on Caesarean Section Operation

The World Health Organisation has said that women should have Caesarean Section (CS) when vaginal delivery might pose a risk to the mother or baby – for example due to prolonged labour, foetal distress, or because the baby is presenting in an abnormal position.
According to the World body, caesarean sections can cause significant complications, disability or death, particularly in settings that lack the facilities to conduct safe surgeries or treat potential complications.
In a statement, the world body said, “New studies reveal that when caesarean section rates rise towards 10 per cent across a population, the number of maternal and new-born deaths decreases. But when the rate goes above 10 per cent, there is no evidence that mortality rates improve.”
“These conclusions highlight the value of caesarean section in saving the lives of mothers and new-borns,” says Dr Marleen Temmerman, Director of WHO’s Department of Reproductive Health and Research. “They also illustrate how important it is to ensure a caesarean section is provided to the women in need – and to not just focus on achieving any specific rate.”