Record High C-Section Rates in Taiwan: A Deep Dive into the Numbers

Factors contributing to the surge in cesarean births raise concerns and call for examination of maternal health trends.

A concerning trend has emerged in Taiwan, where the rate of Cesarean sections (C-sections) has reached a record high. Data from the Health Promotion Administration reveals that approximately one-third of all babies born in Taiwan in 2023 were delivered via C-section, marking a significant increase from 35.2 percent in 2017 to a peak of 38.4 percent. This translates to about 52,000 babies born through the procedure that year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a C-section rate between 10 percent and 15 percent, highlighting the disparity between the global standard and the situation in Taiwan.

Experts attribute this rise to several interconnected factors. Physicians, including Taiwan Society of Perinatology consultant Hung Tai-ho (洪泰和), suggest that changes in pregnant women's profiles play a crucial role. Advanced maternal age and obesity, which are associated with increased risk of complications, are contributing factors. Pregnancies achieved through assisted reproductive technology may also prompt physicians to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of both mother and child.

The average maternal age in Taiwan has increased, leading to higher-risk pregnancies due to an increased risk of complications such as hypertension and diabetes. The low birthrate also impacts the natural delivery rate, as older mothers tend to have fewer children. Those that have undergone assisted reproductive technology may be more willing to undergo a C-section due to their concern for the baby's health, and in-vitro fertilization can increase the chance of multiple births, further increasing C-section rates.

Additionally, some parents express preferences for timing their child's birth for auspicious reasons, though physicians typically advise scheduling the procedure after 38 weeks of pregnancy and on a workday.

Hung emphasizes the advantages of natural birth, including the squeezing of amniotic fluid from the baby’s lungs during vaginal delivery, which reduces the risk of respiratory problems, as well as faster recovery for the mother and reduced risk of infection and blood loss.

Taiwan Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology secretary-general Huang Chien-pei (黃建霈) emphasizes that C-sections are usually performed after a thorough assessment of risks and benefits, and notes that C-sections have saved many high-risk pregnancies.