Turkey ranks first in cesarean delivery in the world

The rates of cesarean deliveries are on the rise in many countries including Turkey coming first in this category, according to the OECD numbers. In 2016, around 700,000 births were given by cesarean section (C-section). Turkey is followed by Italy and Spain, in second and third, respectively. The top five also includes the U.K. and France. On the other hand, C-sections have the lowest rate in Israel, based on the OECD figures.

In Turkey, cesarean deliveries are mostly performed among the patients of private hospitals followed by university and public hospitals. Around 45 percent of cesarean deliveries were performed at private hospitals.

According to a 2015 OECD report, the reasons for the increase in cesarean deliveries include the rise in first births among older women and in multiple births resulting from assisted reproduction, scheduling convenience for both physicians and patients and the preferences of some women to have a C-section.

Another report "Turkey's Cesarean Section Map" also shows that Turkish women living in metropolitan cities prefer to give birth by C-section much more than women in small cities.

"Cesarean delivery continues to result in increased maternal mortality, maternal and infant morbidity, and increased complications for subsequent deliveries," the report further says.

A number of initiatives supported by the health ministry are encouraging Turkish women to prefer normal delivery.