Kathmandu, May 7

There has been significant rise in the number of women giving birth to their babies through caesarean sections.

However, doctors claim that C-sections have helped control maternal mortality rate in the country.

“C-sections have become a necessary evil in the present context,” said Dr Jageshwor Gautam, director general at Paropakar Maternity Women’s Hospital.

Late marriage and changing life style and food habits of women, among other factors have contributed to the increase in caesarean section. In some cases, the expecting women themselves prefer caesarean section over normal delivery.

According to data with Paropakar Maternity Women’s Hospital, among the 19,000 delivery cases recorded last year, 27 per cent deliveries were done through caesarean section. “Some 20 years ago, only 13 per cent deliveries were done through caesarean section, said Gautam.

In the same way, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital recorded 60:40 ratio for normal delivery and caesarean section in the last fiscal.

Dr Gita Gurung, head of the department of gynaecology at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, informed that the hospital performed caesarean sections only in cases of medical complications and referral cases.

The number of women giving birth through caesarean section is high in private hospitals as well. As per data with Alka Hospital, Lalitpur, of the 123 delivery cases, 100 were done through surgeries.

Dr Nutan Sharma, obstetrician and gynaecologist at Alka Hospital said cases of caesarean sections have increased in the recent years because many mothers-to-be preferred surgery over normal delivery for various reasons.