Over 1,000 mothers deliver by caesarian section (C-section) in a year from government and private health facilities in Masindi district.

According to statistics obtained from the district local government for the last four years; in 2020, 1,225 women delivered by C-section, in 2019, the number was 1,190 and 1,180 in 2018.

The statistics further indicate that 1,006 mothers delivered via C-section in 2017.

According to the same figures, most C-sections are done at Masindi Hospital, followed by Masindi Kitara Medical Centre.

Bwijanga Health Centre conducts few deliveries by C-section compared to other health facilities.

The statistics indicate that only conducted 842 C-sections. There were 870 such cases in 2019, 879 in 2018 and 705 in 2017.

The records further show that at Masindi Kitara Medical Centre, 227 C-sections were conducted last year, 238 in 2019.

In 2018, there were 238 such cases and 217 in 2017.

At Bwijanga Health Centre IV, records indicate that last year, 156 C-sections were conducted and 82 cases were handled in 2019.

63 mothers delivered via C-section in 2018 and 84 cases were recorded in 2017.

Experts speak out

Felix Twinomugisha, the Masindi Hospital Medical superintendent, says C-sections are common among first-time mothers.

“These are mothers who are giving birth for the first time. And most of them are below 16. These are many and are prone to C-section. There are many who are getting pregnant at this stage, hence the increased C-sections,” Twinomugisha explained.

Sister Frances Caningom, who works with Masindi Hospital, also re-echoed the issue of girls getting pregnant at a tender age, saying their bones are not yet developed, which calls for a caesarian section.

“We do not give them a long time to labour. When we see that normal delivery may put the mother and the baby at risk, we recommend C-section to save their lives,” Caningom added.

When is it recommended

According to Caningom, a C-section is recommended when a new mother is in labour for 20 hours or more or 14 hours or more for mothers who have given birth before.

Babies that are too large for the birth canal, slow cervical thinning and carrying multiple babies can all prolong labour.

In these cases, doctors consider a C-section to avoid complications.

She also noted that there are women who have narrow pelvis like men, hence complicating delivery.

“These types of people cannot deliver normally. The only option is to deliver by C-section,” she said.

Caningom also explained that some people are too stressed, adding that sometimes they develop hypertension during delivery, which calls for C-section.

Other reasons

She also hinted on the mothers who conceive late, explaining that sometimes it becomes hard for them to push babies because their bones are no longer flexible.

“Delay to go to the health facility is also a major cause of caesarian section because by the time they come, we do not know when the labour pains started and how they started, so it becomes hard for us to monitor them,” Caningom said.

She said other causes include obstructed labour, choice, diseases and babies with abnormalities.

Mothers speak out

Some mothers who have delivered through C-section in Masindi and spoke to Sunday Vision, on condition of anonymity, explained that they preferred caesarian section because it is less painful than natural delivery. 

They also added that they like the C-section because it’s the safest method of delivery for both the mother and the baby.

Another mother, identified as Violent Ninsiima, said some mothers go for C-section after their friends scare them that normal delivery is painful.

“I cannot go for it unless a doctor has advised me to do so,” she added.