Brian Jeffrey
The rate of cesarean deliveries in Vietnam has surged to 37%, significantly higher than the figure from 2005, raising serious concerns about the implications for maternal health and the potential long-term effects.
This information was presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Van Du, Deputy Director of the Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, during the Vietnam-France Obstetrics Conference on October 15.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that cesarean section rates should ideally fall between 10% and 15%. Nevertheless, this practice has been increasingly adopted worldwide, with projections indicating a rise to 29% by 2030, where one in three births could involve a cesarean section.
In Vietnam, the cesarean rate at 37% in 2022 represents more than triple the rate recorded in 2005. Dr. Du expressed significant concern, highlighting that the escalation of cesarean deliveries poses critical issues for maternal health and future welfare.
Discussing the drivers behind this increase, Dr. Du attributed it primarily to a growing preference for elective cesarean sections.
Many expectant mothers express anxiety about the childbirth process, fearing pain during labor, the risk of pelvic floor complications, potential emergency procedures, losing their baby, and facing solitude during labor.
Moreover, some mothers choose to schedule their deliveries at specific times, including preferred days and hours.
Dr. Du cautioned that performing cesarean sections without medical necessity could elevate health risks for both mothers and infants.
Potential risks for mothers include severe bleeding, the need for hysterectomy, heart complications, kidney failure, blood clots, infections postpartum, and possible infertility. For babies, cesarean births may be linked to increased chances of respiratory issues, asthma, and obesity.
