The Chinese government wants more women to undergo natural childbirth, but many mothers-to-be still prefer caesarean sections according to new figures reports Shanghai Daily.
In 2013, 50.7 percent of pregnant women had c-sections according to Shanghai health officials. It's actually the lowest figure in the last decade but still remains higher than the 15 percent ratio recommended by the World Health Organization.
The figures didn't specify numbers of women or hospitals in the survey, however The Shanghai Health and Family Planning Commission said it will continue to promote natural childbirth.
A midwife, who has been working for eight years in Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University delivering babies without surgery, said she understands the pain factor but she thinks women don’t always understand the risks of caesareans.
“Experience tells me that up to 60 percent of women who have c-sections could have undergone natural birth,” said Wu Danping. “Natural birth is better for babies. C-sections should be used only when there are medical reasons.”
