By Dr. Isaac Osei Koranteng, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital, has highlighted a concerning trend in modern obstetric practice: an increasing number of women are opting for elective Caesarean section (C-Section) over vaginal delivery.
Dr. Koranteng explained that many women choose C-Sections to avoid labor pains and prevent vaginal expansion.
He emphasized that while Caesarean sections are generally safe, every surgery carries risks and should only be performed when medically necessary.
During a health education session organized by Racheal Hesse Matey, the 2023 Greater Accra Region’s best-practicing midwife, Dr. Koranteng expressed his concern, stating, “A trend is emerging where some women prefer to undergo Caesarean section without experiencing labor. I believe it’s a very dangerous trend. Although Caesarean section is relatively safe nowadays, it still carries risks.”
“The reason why women are opting for elective Caesarean section without going through labour is the fear of basically most women thinking they can’t stand the labour pain…” he said, explaining that the good news is also that the labour pains are not continuous.
He added that “It gives you breaks in-between. some also think I mean, very few of them think that when the baby is big he passes through that introitus, introitus will become large and they can’t tighten it again so they want the introitus to remain tightened, that’s some of the reason. But haven said that, we should also know the fact that it is not everybody that can deliver through the vagina, so in such a case when the doctor requests or advises you to go for Caesarean section, don’t think that the doctor enjoys holding the knife.”
