Cesarean is an operation performed when natural birth involves a major risk to the fetus or to the mother. However, in Romania, cesareans have become the norm, with the wide competition of doctors, who prefer them for fear of malpractice, their free time and money.
Cesarean births can also be sources of income for hospitals. A caesarean is more expensive than a natural birth. It is settled out of the taxpayer's pocket with nearly $ 240, on average, according to the World Health Organization. However, the amounts may be much higher.
The phenomenon is huge and dangerous - caesarean can lead to post-operative complications, heavy recovery and, for many women, it is a traumatic episode. Furthermore, it is being investigated whether it could have any future effects on children's health. In the West, caesarean births are exceptions, not a rule
The doctor Iosif Niculescu, who works in several private clinics in Bucharest, is known in the guild that he supports birth naturally. He is worried about the huge number of Caesareans in Romania. Still, he says it's too hard for him to keep a low percentage.
"It's a fear. Women do not trust medical staff anymore, and then look for that simpler solution - Cesarean . On the other hand, physicians also react defensively. The number of lawsuits has increased, where things have gone wrong. Many of them are publicized. And then you accept the situation that seems to you to be the most risk-free. Although with Caesarean is not so, it is not without risk, but it is controlled at least, "says Niculescu.
Austria, the UK, Canada, or Finland and Norway are among the countries where midwives can do their job independently and can even finish complicated births. There are recognized as "specialists in normality". It assists the births on their own, and the doctor intervenes only in extremely serious cases where there are emergencies. In these countries, the percentage of cesareans is around 20%, becoming smaller every year. Midwives manage to significantly reduce the number of operations.
