In Switzerland, on average one in three births is by cesarean section. In France, it is one in five births. How can we explain this Swiss rate so high? Point J surveyed numerous mothers and doctor Caroline Daelemans.
“There are many factors that contribute to this cesarean culture: women’s beliefs and natural anxiety related to birth, caregivers and medico-legal pressure. And finally, there are also financial criteria for profitability that intervenes”, explains the assistant doctor in obstetrics and responsible for the delivery rooms at the University Hospitals of Geneva.
We can see things in a positive or negative way. My philosophy is to assume that the mother and her baby are equipped for birth
However, performing a cesarean section is not without risk for mothers. During any surgery, there are possible complications: hemorrhage, infection, pulmonary embolism and for the following pregnancy, insertion of the placenta can be complicated.
What situations really require a cesarean section? How can we explain the strong variations between hospitals and cantons? How to raise awareness among caregivers and future parents?
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Joëlle Cachin and the Point J team
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