The practice of caesarean section is more and more frequent in the hospitals of Kinshasa, at least according to an observation of the ACP. Although caesarean section is a method of delivery indicated when the life of the mother or the baby is in danger, it seems that some women resort to it for fear of suffering the pain of vaginal delivery.
Dr. François, gynecologist, has noted an increase in the number of caesarean sections in recent years. Caesarean section is performed for medical reasons, for example when the baby is out of position or when the mother has pre-eclampsia. However, it is also used for non-medical reasons.
The incisions on the practice of caesarean section have evolved, now favoring the incision on the lower abdomen of the patient to reach the uterus more easily. If this technique has aesthetic advantages, it should not make us forget the primary reason for performing the caesarean section, which is medical and not aesthetic.
Caesarean sections require significant financial means, which many women in Congo do not have. This increase could therefore be linked to an improvement in access to health care.
Overall, the practice of caesarean section remains essential in cases where it is medically necessary, but one can question the reasons for the increase reported in Kinshasa hospitals.