medical aids hit mums-to-be
1 April 2008 

South African medical aid schemes have made a collective decision to stop paying for elective Caesarean sections from April 2009.  Medical aids will however still cover a C-section if it's a medical necessity.

The decision followed months of discussions in response to the skyrocketing rate of elective Caesarean surgeries in South Africa, statistics reportedly showed a 40% increase in elective C-sections in 2007.   Zolile Batabile, a spokesperson for the Medical Aid Board, said high cost was the reason for the decision. "C-sections are generally twice as expensive as a natural delivery, therefore not cost-effective for our businesses."

"More women are opting for a speedy Caesarean rather than a potentially long and arduous labour, also with an elective C-section there's the additional bonus to determine the date on which your child is born. This too-posh-to-push culture has to stop," said Dr Graham Alexander, a staunch proponent of natural birth and supporter of this new development.

"Natural birth is still best for mom and baby and should be the preferred option," he added.  The debate surrounding natural births and C-sections has been ongoing.

Proponents of elective C-sections say they spare the woman some of the trauma associated with natural delivery, such as incontinence due to pelvic floor damage. They argue that the risks associated with C-sections are minimal, and may even be better for the baby than natural deliveries, which carry their own risks.

Others say C-sections should be avoided at all cost because it involves major abdominal surgery and is not safe for baby and mom and should only be done when absolutely necessary. It also takes longer to recover from than a natural birth.  Research has shown it usually is first time moms who go for C-sections. "Such women choose C-sections because they fear the pain associated with labour and delivery, and to avoid complications such as damage to the pelvic region, incontinence or a ruptured uterus," Cape Town-based obstetrician Samantha Luiters told News24.

Luiters said the medical aid schemes' decision is unfair to women who don't have extra cash to spare. "Women have the right to choose what is best for them. Everyone is entitled to a choice. It's unfair to force someone to have a natural delivery."

The Department of Health has thrown its weight behind the Medical Aid Board. "It's about time we started thinking of ways to cut medical expenses."

www.news24.com