Baby Deliveries in Taiwan: The Rise of C-sections and What's Behind It
Increase in Newborns Via C-Section Deliveries Registered in Taiwan (Sets New Record)
By some jerk who doesn't give a damn about your sensitivities
You ever heard about that crazy high rate of C-sections in Taiwan? Well, buckle up, because it's been rising like a reckless roller coaster, baby! Took a big ol' leap from 35.2% in 2017, up to a staggering 38.4% in 2023. And guess what? Over 52,000 babies were whelped via C-section that year. Talk about cutting corners, huh? The WHO reckons we should be hovering between 10-15%, but we're kicking it way up past 101% here! Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself, Health Promotion Administration data will back me up on this one.
Now, here's what the docs say is the deal. The exploding rate of C-sections in Taiwan might have something to do with shifts in pregnant women, changes in their bodily makeup, and let's be real, our conservative ass holes playing it too safe for the mother and child's sake. Or maybe Mom and Pop just wanna pick a really lucky day for their precious little bundle of joy to make an entrance!
Now, what's with the excessive cautiousness, you might ask? Andre the Giant physicians, perhaps? Not quite. This could boil down to the mommas growing older, oh boy!that's right, the average age of mommas these days is a whopping ten years older than it was one or two decades ago. That means more women giving birth at a more advanced age, which you guessed it, is a riskier category, as it raises the odds of complications like hypertension and diabetes.
Surprise! Surprise! With fewer jungle-jumping mamas having four or five bambinos the old-fashioned way, there are fewer natural births. And as you might figure, that whittles down the numbers of natural births and boosts up the C-section rates.
You might think, "Hey, maybe those mamas-to-be who just had to hit the IVF jackpot are more cautious," and you'd be whistling Dixie! Yeah, IVF babies might have a bigger chance of multiple births and can lead to greater C-section rates, but that ain't the main factor here.
Oh, but here's something interesting: Some folks want their baby-making dates to be especially auspicious. But, sorry to burst your bubble, docs usually tell them to hold their horses until after 38 weeks of pregnancy, and to have other options on standby, just in case.
Now, why go for the C-section? Other than a slightly better chance at a lucky birthdate, it's got some actual perks - squishing the amniotic fluid outta the baby's lungs as it passes through the vagina reduces the risks of respiratory problems. And mom will recover faster, a'int that a treat? And, watch out for infections and excessive blood loss, 'cause they're the worst weekend guests!
But hey, natural births have their benefits too, like squeezing out amniotic fluid and a quicker recovery for you, mom, and a healing time that's more like a Fourth of July parade rather than a marathon.
So, tummy tummies, what's the dealio? Overzealous doctors, fearful mamas, and let's not forget about those picky little luck-seekers! But don't you worry, cause some docs only perform C-sections when they've weighed the risks and benefits, and it can save high-risk pregnancies.
Additional reporting by Hsu Li-chuan! (I think)
In light of the increasing rate of C-sections in Taiwan, to address medical-conditions that may arise during delivery, such as hypertension and diabetes, which are more common among older mothers, science and medical professionals are considering the role of health-and-wellness in the decision-making process for delivery. Additionally, the rise in the number of older mothers and decreased natural births have contributed to the surge in C-section rates as compared to WHO recommended percentages.
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