HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): More than 23,000 births have been registered in western Herat province in 1395 solar year, with 4,000 babies being conceived through surgical operations, officials said on Thursday.
Dr. Mohammad Asif Kabir, deputy public health director, told Pajhwok Afghan News that 23,283 births had been reported in the state-run and private hospitals in Herat in 1395.
They included 4194 abnormal or cesarean deliveries, he said, adding 626 newborns and 95 women died in delivery last solar year.
Kabir said 1051 cases out of 8800 births registered in government and private hospitals in the first two months of last year were abnormal.
According to him, 141 infants were born dead while 72 others died after giving birth and four mothers lost their lives during labor in the first two months of the ongoing solar year.
High c-section birth rate in some provinces
Dr. Sayeda Saeed, head of Rezayee Maternity Hospital in Herat city, said more than 16,000 births, including 4,000 abnormal, were attended at her hospital during the past one year.
“C-Section delivery is a must when a delivery is delayed because the health of fetus falls at risk in such a situation,” she said.
Advantages and risks of c-section delivery
Dr. Sayeda Saeed said c-section delivery should be avoided due to high risk of uterine infections, severe back pain, bleeding, anesthesia during surgery and even death of mothers.
Infection around suture of the skin incision, longer maternal rest periods, pelvic pain and adhesion and depression were among risks associated with cesarean delivery.
The rate of mother mortality in c-section delivery is three times higher than in normal deliveries, she said.
She noted mothers after abnormal delivery could not feed their infants with colostrums, which was very useful for infants.
Possibility of respiratory illnesses to mothers and lower IQs of babies born through c-section were other problems associated with abnormal delivery, Saeed said.
Lower mother’s feeling towards her baby
Saeed also noted c-section deliveries had an impact on mothers’ feelings towards their newborns..
Mothers who experienced abnormal births
Nargis Amini, who recently gave birth to twins after surgery at a maternity hospital, said she was suffering from severe pain since the operation. After the operation, I feel a lot of pain for which I am still in the hospital.”
Fareshta Yaqobi, another woman who chose to give birth to her baby through c-section, said. “I gave birth to my first baby six months ago, because I was very afraid of labor pain, I asked for a cesarean section, but my baby is not well now, I do not know the reason,” she said.
Dr. Lenal Hameed, a maternity specialist, said many complications were involved in abnormal deliveries. She said women should only go for c-section births when they were advised by health professionals.
She urged pregnant mothers not to afraid of normal delivery if they did not have critical health problems and should follow healthy diet during pregnancy.
“Protection of limbs” a reason for women to choose c-section
Some women believe normal delivery can damage their limbs or their body may turn old soon.
Susan, 27, a woman who recently gave birth to her baby through c-section, is one of the women who care a lot about their body.
“Two months have passed in my c-section delivery but I still feel pain in my back and I do not even have enough milk, my baby is very weak,” she said.
Rezayee Maternity Hospital head said there was no exact information as to how many women in Herat chose c-section delivery.
“According to medical rules, every mother can choose between c-section and normal delivery, but this method is not recommended due to its complications. However, women with high blood pressure or problems with normal delivery can give birth through c-section following doctors’ diagnosis,” she said.
But Mohammad Asif Kabir, deputy Herat Public Health director, said most women preferred c-section deliveries despite no problem in normal one.
Maulvi Shams-ul-Rahman Frotan, a religious scholar, said Islam also recommended normal delivery over c-section or other methods.
“Choosing operation over normal birth without any reasons is a sin. Choosing c-section to protect body or skin damage or for easiness is not allowed in Islam,” he said.
He said there was no problem in c-section delivery if but doctors found the mother or child was at risk.
“Islam does not allow damaging yourself or anyone else so it is the reason Islam prohibits surgical deliveries without any health reasons,”, he said.
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