Patients federation commends natural childbirth initiative

The federation of patients on Monday heralded the initiative by Health Minister Popi Kanari – that efforts are underway to prepare a national strategy aimed at promoting natural childbirth; saying that although pregnancy and childbirth were not diseases (for which the federation aims to support respective patients of) it wanted to support all involved parties to achieve the goals the strategy will set out to achieve.

“Though Caesarean sections are safe and lifesaving procedures, it is still a surgery which puts the lives of children and mothers at risk, when done without medical indications.”

C-sections in Cyprus reached 61 per cent of total births in 2020, while the acceptable limit set by the World Health Organisation is up to 15 per cent, the midwives association revealed last year.

The federation said the health ministry organised a two-day workshop on the matter earlier this month aimed at discussing promoting natural childbirth and preventing preterm labour.

Cyprus has the highest rate of C-sections in Europe.