C-section epidemic hits China, says WHO
A survey by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that there is an "epidemic" of cesarean sections in China.
Nearly half of births in China are delivered by C-section, and more than a quarter of the procedures are medically unnecessary, the survey claims.
According to unnamed experts, the phenomenon is driven by two factors. First, many Chinese women are unaware of the risks a C-section poses to an infant, in particular the risk of long-term respiratory problems, and therefore choose a C-section because it is quicker and allows them to pick an auspicious birth day. Second, maternity hospitals are motivated to encourage unnecessary C-sections because they earn more than twice as much in fees from C-section surgery than from natural birth.
The WHO believes a 15% C-section rate is reasonable
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