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Fast-track deliveries have gone up dramatically in Indian metros despite the risks involved. Delhi’s leading hospitals report an alarming spiral in the number of C-sections amongst the city women, reports Neeta Lal IN
keeping with Delhi’s dizzying urban growth trajectory, its
would-be-moms are also rooting for fast-track deliveries. In fact, a
first-of-its-kind childbirth survey, conducted by Delhi’s leading
hospitals, reports an alarming and unhealthy spiral in the number of
Caesarian section (C-sec) deliveries amongst the city women. They are
up from 40 per cent in 1997 to 65 per cent — despite a World Health
Organisation (WHO) directive that such deliveries should not exceed 15
per cent in any society. These and more such disconcerting findings are revealed in a survey conducted by a dozen of Delhi’s leading hospitals led by Sitaram Bhartia Hospital. According to the survey, Apollo hospital records the highest number of C-sec deliveries at 65 per cent, Max Healthcare comes in a notch lower at 55 per cent, Sitaram Bhartia scores 40 per cent, while Guru Tegh Bahadur and Lady Hardinge come in at 20 per cent each. Though the exact
percentages of C-sec deliveries for other Indian metros are
unavailable, doctors in Delhi fear that the Capital could easily be
the leader of the pack in this department. What is it that spurs such
a high percentage of Delhi’s women to opt for Caesarian deliveries,
earlier the last resort for obstetrics to save a mother or child’s
life? In fact, for working women, elective Caesarians—-where a woman
opts for a surgical procedure over a normal delivery — have become
more the norm than the exception in urban India, point out doctors. The changing dynamics of the Indian family, too, have contributed substantially towards this trend. Delhi-based natural childbirth expert Nutan Pandit, who has written several books on childbirth and onducts natural childbirth classes, feels that the lack of a strong familial support system is sorely missing in today’s nuclear units. As Priti Malhotra, 32, who gave birth to Anya a couple of months ago through a C-sec, puts it: "My parents and in-laws are in the US. So I preferred to get over my birthing quickly to spend more quality time with my newborn. In fact, my husband and I chose a Sunday for my delivery because it’s his day off and he could be around to help me!" Adds Supriya Kakkar, 26, mother of six-month-old Vaidehi:"If I do have a painless birthing option that I can afford and it also saves me time, why shouldn’t I go in for it?" With such convenient
logic, never mind the repercussions on the baby and mom’s health.
Small wonder C-sec delivery figures have gone up so dramatically.
This, despite the health risks involved in this kind delivery for both
the mother and the unborn child. Childbirth through a C-sec, reiterate
obstetricians, has a three times higher rate of maternal death than a
normal delivery. Studies also reveal that more than half of maternal
deaths due to anesthesia-related complications occur in elective
Caesarians. A C-sec delivery works out to be far higher than a normal delivery. The former costs anything between Rs 25,000 and Rs 100,000 at a private hospital, and more if obstetric complications arise. A normal delivery costs between Rs 10,000-15,000. Interestingly, while C-sec deliveries empty out a client’s pocket, they simultaneously enrich those of the obstetricians. The latter may take home anything from Rs 15,000 to Rs 45,000 per such delivery, while the fee whittles down to a third in normal deliveries. — WFS
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