High Cesarean Section Rate Cause for Alarm

Two out of five mothers gave birth to their children by cesarean sections in the fourth quarter of last year ended December, with the country maintaining the world`s top spot in C-section rates.

According to the Health Insurance Review Agency (HIRA) on June 12, the C-section rate was 39.6% in the fourth quarter of last year, vs. annual 40.5%. The rate reached 39.9% in 1998 and since then it has been around 40%.

˝The figure is fairly higher than 10 to 15% recommended by the World Health Organization and some 20% recorded in advanced countries such as the U.S., France and Japan,˝said an official at HIRA.

The high rate came as obstetricians often choose to perform Cesarean sections fearing that they will get involved in lawsuits in case something happens to mothers or their babies during delivery.

Of women who gave birth for the first time, 56.2% underwent the operation. Of those who have gone through the operation before, only 3.2% later chose to give birth naturally.

˝Once women undergo Cesarean sections with their first child, they are highly likely to choose the operation again next time,˝ said HIRA. ˝We have provided analysis data to obstetricians to recommend them to avoid performing Cesarean sections if possible.˝

The agency also sent the results of analysis to the Korea Obstetricians Society in an effort to curb the rate, while giving individual notifications to 395 clinics that have recorded a more than average rate.

Jin Lee leej@donga.com