With the growing number of Caesarean sections being performed, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) says that obstetricians may be taking the risks too lightly.
On the CIHR website, a press release goes into detail. It explains: "Caesareans may be common practice, but they are not without risks. Many Canadian studies show that planned Caesareans can lead to an increase in serious postpartum complications for the mother such as hemorrhage, cardiac arrest, an adverse effect on fertility, abnormal implantation of the placenta in subsequent pregnancies, infections, difficulty breastfeeding, and even death."
The website also provides information about impacts on the baby. It adds: "For the baby, possible risks associated with a Caesarean include injuries caused by surgical instruments, respiratory problems in the immediate newborn period, as well as chronic problems such as asthma, diabetes and allergies. Fortunately, most C-sections go well and without problems."
Dr. William Fraser’s work is supported by the CIHR. He says, "Women should be aware of the rare but very serious risks associated with it. When I speak to patients, I make an effort to listen to their concerns. Are they afraid of the pain of a vaginal delivery, do they have particular apprehensions related to their delivery, worries about the safety of their infant, or have they heard about bad experiences from family members? Or have they simply been influenced by a high-profile personality who elected to have a Caesarean as a personal choice."
No data mentions if the infant mortality rate has decreased with the increase of C-sections. Caesarean sections have actually doubled in the last 10 years.