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Time of India
23-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Bengaluru accounts for 1 in every 5 C-sections in Karnataka
Bengaluru: More women in Karnataka are giving birth via caesarean section (C-section) than before, with state health data showing a 20% increase in such deliveries over the past three years. In 2024-25 alone, of over 8.3 lakh institutional births, 3.9 lakh — nearly 47% — were C-sections, according to the health and family welfare department. Bengaluru Urban has emerged as a significant contributor to this trend, accounting for one in every five C-sections in the state. Of over 1.4 lakh deliveries in the district this year, 72,014 were surgical — pushing the C-section rate close to 50%. The city's rates have been climbing steadily, from about 43.3% in 2022-23 to 44.3% in 2023-24. Other districts showing higher-than-average C-section figures include Belagavi (35,903), Tumakuru (18,999), Kalaburagi (17,202), and Vijayapura (16,440). By contrast, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu have reported notably lower rates, with 4,447 and 1,948 C-section births respectively since April 2024. Doctors cite a combination of clinical, cultural, and legal factors behind this increase. "There's a clear surge in high-risk pregnancies, often driven by lifestyle-related disorders like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity," said Dr Savitha C, medical superintendent at Vani Vilas Hospital. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo "Women are also delaying childbirth more frequently and turning to fertility treatments such as IVF, increasing the likelihood of surgical deliveries. For some, it's also about fear of labour or the decision to have only one child," she added. While medical advancements have enabled safer pregnancies for women with complex health conditions, Savitha said natural delivery, when feasible, remains preferable. "A vaginal birth allows faster recovery. A C-section is major surgery with associated risks — ranging from infection and haemorrhage to delayed mobility and, rarely, maternal death." Dr Sapna Raina, senior consultant at Narayana Health City, said a primary C-section often leads to repeats, as a scarred uterus increases the risk of rupture. "In cities like Bengaluru, many women are older, who have undergone fertility treatment. They view their pregnancies as 'precious' and wouldn't want to take any chance for complications for babies. This emotional context sometimes tips the decision towards surgery, even when not strictly necessary," she said. Elective C-sections have also become more common. Dr Priya S P Patil of Altius Hospital noted an increase in families requesting deliveries at specific times for spiritual or astrological reasons. "Cultural beliefs about auspicious timings are playing a bigger role than before," she said. Legal pressure adds another layer. In cases of prolonged labour, where outcomes are uncertain, many doctors opt for surgery to avoid the risk of litigation, Dr Patil said, adding: "Taken together — repeat procedures, maternal age, lifestyle factors, cultural preferences, and medico-legal fears — the rise in surgical births becomes more understandable." C-section complications: ■ Intraoperative haemorrhage ■ Placenta accreta (rupture) in repeat procedures ■ Risk of hysterectomy or maternal death ■ Prolonged hospital stay ■ Limited mobility post-surgery ——— BOX: 5 districts with highest number of C-section District 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Bengaluru Urban 66,932 71,734 72,014 Belagavi 26,403 32,454 35,903 Tumkuru 17,173 18,681 18,999 Kalaburgi 11,129 14,428 17,202 Vijayapura 11,454 14,679 16,440 BOX: Rising cases of C-sections in Karnataka Year Number of C-sections Total number of deliveries 2022-23 3.2 lakh 7.4 lakh 2023-24 3.8 lakh 8.4 lakh 2024-25 3.9 lakh 8.3 lakh Source: Health department | Figures in lakh rounded off
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Karnataka sees 20% surge in C-section deliveries
Representational Image BENGALURU: More babies are entering the world under the surgeon's scalpel in Karnataka than ever before. In the past three years alone, the state recorded a 20% rise in C-section deliveries. Health and family welfare department data accessed by TOI showed that in 2024-25, out of 8.32 lakh institutional deliveries registered in the state, 3.88 lakh were C-section deliveries. Surprisingly, Bengaluru Urban alone contributes 20% of the total C-section deliveries recorded in 2024-25. This is not a sudden jump; Bengaluru Urban's C-section rate has been rising steadily, from 43.25% in 2022-23 to 44.26% in 2023-24, and now touching new highs. Out of 1.46 lakh deliveries registered in the district this year, 72,014 were C-sections, almost every second birth. Other districts like Belagavi(35,903), Tumakuru (18,999), Kalaburagi (17,202), and Vijayapura (16,440) are also seeing higher-than-average surgical births, while Chamarajanagar and Kodagu stand out with significantly lower rates, reporting just 4,447 and 1,948 C-sections respectively since April 2024. Dr Savitha C, Medical Superintendent at Vani Vilas Hospital, shed light on the rising C-section trend. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Grebenstein: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung GEERS Undo 'There's a clear surge in high-risk pregnancies today, often driven by increasing lifestyle disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Infertility treatments are also on the rise, not just due to medical conditions like PCOS, but because many women now delay childbirth or prefer assisted reproduction, often due to fear of labour or a conscious decision to have only one child,' she explained. Medical advancements, she noted, made it possible for even women with serious cardiac issues to carry pregnancies, something unthinkable a few decades ago. Still, she cautioned: 'Normal delivery, when possible, is always better. A woman who delivers naturally is up and walking within hours, while a C-section is major surgery that carries risks of infection, delayed recovery, and, rarely, mortality.' Dr Sapna Raina, Senior Consultant at Narayana Health City , emphasised early intervention: 'To truly reduce C-section rates, we must focus on first-time mothers. A primary cesarean often leads to repeat surgeries in future pregnancies because a scarred uterus carries rupture risks. Many women today, especially in cities like Bengaluru, undergo IVF or conceive later in life, factors that raise the likelihood of complications. Add to that the emotional weight of a 'precious pregnancy' in couples who want only one child, and C-sections become the preferred choice in even borderline cases. ' Another often-overlooked factor, says Dr Priya S P Patil , Consultant at Altius Hospital, is cultural. 'Yes, we've seen a rise in elective C-sections driven by requests to deliver at an 'auspicious time.' Many families want their child born at a specific hour for spiritual or astrological reasons. That's increasingly common now,' she highlighted. She added that legal concerns also weigh heavily on doctors. 'In prolonged labour, where outcomes can't always be predicted, physicians often choose surgery over risk to avoid litigation. When you combine all this, repeat C-sections, older mothers, lifestyle diseases, elective preferences, and fear of lawsuits, the numbers make sense. But we must remember, cesarean is a life-saving procedure when needed. When not, it's still a major operation with long-term consequences like scarring, infertility, and difficult recoveries. '
