Caesarean and Abortion

Caesarean section (C-section) deliveries are very common in Kerala. Women make the choice between a normal or c-section delivery much before they are in the labour room. The thought of caesarean itself has been normalized by society. It is no wonder that studies and surveys repeatedly find Kerala on top of the % of births delivered by C-section.

World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that the rate of C-sections in a region should not exceed 15%. All districts in Kerala records a rate much higher than 15%. It is also worth noting that the share of C-sections is much higher in private hospitals than in public hospitals. You can find the details here and here.

Women chose C-section for multiple reasons ignoring possible future health risks. Hospitals promote C-section for monetary gains which is understandable. Doctors suggest C-section so that they can bring the deliveries in their working hours and thus can avoid late-night visits. But women need not fall for it.

It’s high time that we address this unhealthy practice. A social campaign nudging a change in behaviour by making women more aware could help the cause. NGOs, activists and government can join the cause.

Another concern is abortion. Every woman should have the complete autonomy of their own body and absolute control of their reproductive rights. The society does not need children which the mother does not need in the first place. Yes, the choice has to be made within a fixed time period very early in the pregnancy. Studies in America have repeatedly found that greater access to abortion might have reduced crime rates there. You can check the study and reports here, here and in the popular book Freakonomics. That is a good unintended consequence.

Very recently, Argentina legalized abortion in a historic decision which is expected to have a much wider impact in the Latin American countries. While in India, we are still dabbling with a 1971 law and some half-hearted amendments. We are leaving much to the discretion of the doctors, courts and even medical boards! They bring with them their own cultural baggage into their decisions on women with an unwanted pregnancy. Let it be very sound and clear. Every woman should have the complete autonomy of their own body and absolute control of their reproductive rights.

Let our women have better access to abortion and more awareness to prefer vaginal births. What do you think?