More UAE moms opting for elective Cesarean

An increasing number of women in the UAE are opting for elective Cesarean section deliveries to do away with the pain and trauma that comes with natural childbirth.

According to medical professionals, the number of elective Cesarean section deliveries is increasing in the country. Dr. Rosalie Sant, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Medical Director at Primavera Medical Centre, says the number may not be alarming “but it is definitely on the increase.”

“The concern is that now even the local ladies have started asking for it. The difference between expat and local ladies is that most local ladies will want more than two or three children and therefore the risk of repeated LSCS (lower segment Cesarean section) is higher for them than it is for expats who usually stop at three children. I believe that if someone wants a section they have a right to get it but only after in-depth and repeated counseling about the pros and cons. We have a responsibility to educate the patient about the possible risks of repeated surgery,” she told Emirates 24|7.

Doctors warn that such surgeries can do away with labour pain but can be detrimental in the long-run. Besides the longer stay in the hospital and a slower recovery, repeated c-secs can also be life threatening.

“The risks are approximately equal if it is the first section and if the baby and the pregnancy are normal with no medical compilations. That is why it is difficult to refuse to do a section for someone who requests it. The risks, however, increase with the number of Cesareans – risk are both during the pregnancy due to the uterine scar giving way during pregnancy, jeopardising the health of the baby, as well as during the operation, jeopardising the health of the mother,” said Dr. Sant.

“Firstly, the surgery may be complicated with multiple adhesions (things stuck together) and scar tissue from the previous operations. Secondly, if the placenta attaches to the scar, one will end up with a placenta that cannot be removed from the uterus after delivery of the baby – a placenta accreta. This is very dangerous and can lead to massive bleeding, loss of the uterus and also loss of life of the mother. It is not common but this will increase as we do more Caesareans. Sometimes a placenta accrete can be diagnosed antenatally. [In such a case] at least we are prepared but most of the times we just find it during surgery and is a very difficult situation,” she elaborated.

Risks for moms that come with such deliveries include infection, heavy blood loss, blood clots, nausea, vomiting, and severe headache after the delivery (related to anesthesia and the abdominal procedure) and bowel problems.

Maternal death is admittedly very rare but there is a marginal risk (about 6 in 100,000).

Cesarean risks for the infant include injury during the delivery, immature lungs and breathing problems and the need for special care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

However, there are many women who feel they don’t have any other option because they are just too afraid to endure childbirth. Most private hospitals in the UAE give the option of an elective c-sec to patients. “My doctor told me they can do it for me and said that it is not covered by insurance but added an excuse can be given for the operation, so I will be covered. I’m too scared of labour and don’t think I’ll be able to survive it. I’ll definitely be going for a c-sec,” said a patient, who visited a reputed hospital in Dubai.

Some believe that patients should be given the option of elective cesarean sections.

“It is up to the patient. I think women these days are not willing to bear pain and science is giving them the option of a painless delivery,” said a father-to-be. “My wife is going to opt for a c-sec and it’s a mutual decision. I don’t want to see her suffer when we can do away with it,” he said.

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