It has become an option on the front burner, for some pregnant women.
while some say it is providing the balance for women in making their own birthing choices, others attribute it to technology and sophistication in healthcare delivery.
This article highlights how some expectant mothers are voluntarily opting for caesarean section and its impact on healthcare delivery.
The mention of caesarean section or “Operation ” among some pregnant women is a dreaded option.
But in the last decade, over 3 million women have voluntarily opted for a caesarean section in Ghana, according to the 2022 Health and Demographic Survey by the Ghana Statistical Service.
One of such women, is 36-year-old Gifty, a mother of two. She tells me she wanted to share the same birthday with her first child.
She revealed, “When I was 38 weeks pregnant, I decided I wanted to have the same birthday with my first born, because I don’t want him to forget me. So, I spoke with my husband and my doctor, and on my birthday, we took the baby out through caesarean.”
She alludes to the fact that, the process does not come cheap. “It is very expensive and the after pain and all too, do not come easy,” she explained.
Despite the financial obligations, global caesarian section (CS) rates have significantly increased from around 7% in 1990 to 21% today, surpassing the ideal acceptable CS rate which is around 10%-15% according to the World Health Organisation.
It becomes an option for childbirth in the most cases of complicated delivery where the lives of both mother and child or either of them is at stake.
Esther Kumatse, is a Public Health Nurse, who is currently researching into the factors that prompt voluntary or elective caesarean section.
She explains that, “From my research, I found a lot of reasons why women are now opting for CS. They want to escape labour pain; they fear their Vagina size will not be intact after a vaginal birth. Some also say they don’t want any after-birth complications, especially with their babies”.
The Director of the Family and Reproductive Health Unit at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Chris Fofie says it is a burden on quality healthcare.
“It is becoming a worrying trend these days, because those who really need the procedure, will now have to compete with those who voluntarily come for it. And some of these health facilities have limited staff and resources,” he lamented.
According to obstetric gynecologist, Dr. Isaac Secorm, the increasing rate of voluntary caesarean can be prevented, if health care professionals become innovative in their craft.
“Most women are choosing Caesarean as an escape to medical negligence and any other complications that may arise. If both patients and health professionals put in their best, we can reverse this trend”, he added.
While the trend reflects evolving preferences and considerations among Ghanaian women, it also raises important questions about the potential long-term implications and the need for comprehensive healthcare education.