By Fatou S Sanyang
According to a study from the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul, recorded that out of 4,900 deliveries, 1,177 were cesarean sections giving a cesarean section rate at 24 per cent record high in the country.
This reporter was out and about at the main referral hospital to gauge the rapid increase of cesarean deliveries in the country.
Oumie Gibba, a Mother of twins who gave birth through cesarean section says, cesarean section was performed on her at around seven to eight months pregnancy. “I was told that I will not be able to give birth by my self because I have high blood pressure and also the condition of my babies,” she said.
Mariama Faal, a previous cesarean mother said her previous cesarean delivery traumatized her through out her second pregnancy. “I barely sleep or eat good food when I was almost due because I always think that I am going to give birth through cesarean about which was very painful.” She told the Outpost.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that a nation’s cesarean section rate should ideally be between 10-15% of all birth. however, The Gambia national rate is still relatively low.
Binta Colley, another cesarean mother lamented that, she was unable to give birth due to high blood pressure and also the size of her baby. “My blood was very high during labor and my baby was big that’s why I was operated.” she recounted.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a gynecologist at the Ministry of Health said, poor antenatal care, late hospital arrival, late bookings for antenatal, high blood pressure and women with history of cesarean can lead to caesarean deliveries. “It’s important for women to know the importance of joining antenatal very early because it helps in detecting some birth complications at early stage” he advised.
With the rapid increase of lack of medical and health equipments, women are worry of their lives at risk through cesarean deliveries in the country.
