Unnecessary C-Sections Put Mothers and Babies at Risk

C-section deliveries were once hailed as a medical breakthrough, saving countless lives when complications arose during childbirth. Yet in Pakistan, the procedure has increasingly become routine—even when not medically necessary. Health experts warn that this surge is driven less by patient need and more by profit motives within private hospitals.

Global standards recommend that only 10–15% of births should be via C-section. In Pakistan, however, rates in some facilities have soared to 50–70%. This alarming figure highlights a growing disconnect between medical best practices and the reality on the ground.

Doctors often justify C-sections as quicker and more predictable than natural births. But the risks are significant: mothers face higher chances of infection, bleeding, and long-term complications, while newborns may suffer from respiratory issues. Future pregnancies also become more complicated after surgical deliveries.

Stories from patients reveal troubling trends. Some mothers report being pressured into surgery despite requesting natural births. Others describe exorbitant costs, with private hospitals charging between Rs100,000 and Rs400,000 for the procedure. In contrast, public hospitals offer natural deliveries for just a few hundred rupees.

Data underscores the scale of the issue. Between 2017 and 2024, over half a million C-sections were recorded in private hospitals, with numbers rising sharply after 2024. In Karachi’s Jinnah Hospital alone, more than half of all deliveries in 2025 were surgical.

Experts argue that the lack of regulation is fueling this crisis. With no central monitoring system, hospitals face little accountability. The shortage of trained midwives and nurses further compounds the problem, leaving expectant mothers vulnerable to unnecessary interventions.

Medical leaders stress that natural delivery remains the healthier option for both mother and child. They call for stronger government oversight, evidence-based medical decisions, and improved training to curb the misuse of C-sections.

Ultimately, Pakistan’s rising reliance on surgical births is not just a medical issue—it is a human rights concern. Mothers deserve safe, transparent, and ethical healthcare, free from financial exploitation and unnecessary risk.