European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

THE INCREASING RATIO OF CESAREAN SECTION DELIVERIES: CAUSES AND IMPLICATIONS

Mhd Nezar Alsharif and Khaled Alhomsi*

ABSTRACT

Objective: Cesarean Section (CS) rates are becoming a global concern because of their steady increase, lack of awareness about the indications, and associated short and long-term risks. In this study, we offer the rates of cesarean deliveries compared to natural births, and the reasons for the CS deliveries done. Methods: This study was a retrospective study of files of obstetricians in their clinics in Damascus, Syria. In this study, we included all pregnant cases who reviewed the clinics between 10 August 2018 to 31 January 2020 for delivery. Furthermore, we collected the files from 1 January 2013 to 30 June 2014 to compare and find if the cesarean section rates have increased. The study included 1521 deliveries and 1608 deliveries in the current and earlier studied periods, respectively. Results: We reviewed the number of delieveries during the current studied period and we found a total of 1521 deliveries. 787 cases (52%) of them were done by CS. Moreover, 57% of them (787 cases) had a cesarean section delievery per their request (no indications), while 43% of them had an indication for cesarean section delievery. Moreover, in the earlier studied period, we found 1608 deliveries. 523 cases (33%) of them were done by CS. Furthermore, 44% of them (523 cases) were per mother request compared to 56% of them who had a medical indication. Conclusion: From the total deliveries, in the current study period, 52% had CS deliveries, while in the earlier period, 33% had CS deliveries. Furthermore, given the increasing rate of CS in our country and globally, it is very important to focus our attention on the causes of this incidence in order to reduce it, therefore, it is necessary to raise awareness on this issue to reduce the excessive use of this procedure, which may be dangerous for the mother and newborn.

Keywords: Cesarean Delivery; Normal Delivery; Medical Indications, Mother Request.