C-section deliveries in Delhi surge to 27.4%, raising concerns over medical necessity
Caesarean section deliveries in Delhi increased from 23.6% in 2019–21 to 27.4% in 2023–24, according to National Family Health Survey data. Experts attribute the rise to delayed pregnancies, maternal health conditions like obesity and diabetes, patient preference for painless delivery, and possible overuse in private facilities where rates reach 50.9%. The WHO recommends C-section rates around 10%, and doctors warn that unnecessary procedures carry medical risks, particularly in areas with limited obstetric care.
Delhi has experienced a significant rise in caesarean section deliveries, with rates climbing from 23.6% in 2019–21 to 27.4% in 2023–24, mirroring a national trend where rates rose from 21.5% to 27.2% during the same period. Medical experts identify multiple drivers including delayed pregnancies with women conceiving in their 30s, increased prevalence of obesity and gestational diabetes, patient preference for painless delivery, and potential profit-driven practices in private facilities where 50.9% of births are by C-section compared to 19.6% in public facilities. The World Health Organization warns that while caesarean sections are safe when medically justified, they carry short- and long-term risks for mothers and infants, particularly in settings with limited obstetric care. Experts emphasize that the core concern is whether each C-section is medically necessary, and call for improved accountability through better documentation of medical indications, stronger labour support, pain relief access, second opinions before non-emergency procedures, and greater transparency in private facilities. Researchers stress that deeper investigation through audits and comparative studies is needed to understand patient and provider choices driving the trend.
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- The HinduCenter
Experts raise concerns over spike in C-section deliveries in Delhi
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