Manish Kumar
Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Feb 11: With increased Internet penetration and easy access to information, expectant mothers are gradually opting for Caesarean delivery these days.
Many gynecologists in the city say rural people and the less literate still stick to normal delivery, but a section of educated middle class still consider Caesarean delivery the safest.
“In the last two years I have seen a surge in the number of people forcing us to go for Caesarean delivery against the normal procedure. This is a dangerous trend. Desperate attempt to go in for Caesarean can do more harm than good. Exposing someone to surgery only increases chances of maternal mortality and infections. It also puts the lives of mother and baby at risk,” says Dr Aditya Das.
Veena Panda, an obstetrician from Nayapalli, says, “Many people are convinced about the short-term advantages of Caesarean. A surgery helps reduce labour pain. In normal procedures, mother has to undergo around 10-12 hours of labour pain but in surgery the operation does the work quickly. However, the trend should be discouraged. Surgery should be done only if it is needed or in case of complications. Normal deliveries are the best otherwise.”
Kokila Das, another gynecologist, says the choice for the type of procedure for child delivery should be left only for the doctors.
“Many people now ask for Caesarean, but I strongly feel they should never interfere with medical procedures and compel doctors to adopt a dangerous way. The onus will always come to us at the end. Surgery always has an element of risk. If something happens to the patient, we will be held responsible. So doctors should use their wisdom in deciding the procedure.”
Government doctors, however, have a different view. Talking to Orissa Post, Saubhagya Kumar Jena, gynecologist and obstetrician from AIIMS, Bhubaneswar said “Cases of Caesarean delivery are more in private hospitals than in government hospitals. According to WHO, the Caesarean section rate should be 15% of total deliveries. To reduce the rate there is role of both doctors as well as public. Public have to understand that delivery is a natural process but Caesarean section is a procedure. ‘’
