1. Background
Cesarean section (CS), which is one of the most common and oldest surgeries, is performed in conditions where natural childbirth endangers the life of the mother and the neonate (1). The CS rate is increasing rapidly throughout the world (2). Cesarean section is performed for one in three births in the USA. The excessive use of this method is significant as an important problem of maternal safety (3, 4). In recent years, the CS rate has increased in private and public centers in Iran. Accordingly, Iran is the first among the four countries in the world with the highest CS rate (5) and the first rank in Asia (6). The average prevalence of CS within 2019 - 2021 in Iran was reported to be about 51.6% (7).
The rate of severe complications in planned CS, compared to planned vaginal delivery, has been reported three times (8), which will also increase treatment costs (9). Given the higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality associated with CS, it is, therefore, necessary to evaluate the indications and maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with CS (10). In addition to medical and non-medical causes, in recent studies, some factors such as high social class (11), delivery by the doctor and the desired time (12, 13), greater awareness of women about their rights to make decisions for their health issues, traumatic experiences in previous pregnancies(14) were studied. In addition, the fear of loss of sexual attractiveness due to perineal tissue damage, the risk of urinary incontinence in the future (13), and fertility with assisted reproductive technology (ART) (15) can increase the CS rate. Other reasons for the increase in CS are the personal preference of gynecologists due to financial incentives, the reduction of training and skills to perform forceps and vacuum techniques, reduced risk, comfort, and ease in performing CS, the fear of litigation, and the use of CS as a protective strategy (16).
Several studies have shown that the elective CS rate in Iran ranges from 11.2% to 22% (17, 18). Previous studies conducted in Iran have suggested that lack of knowledge and misrepresentation about natural childbirth, fear of pain in natural childbirth, and the need to plan for the delivery date can be considered the causes of elective CS. In addition, a part of this increase might be due to the change in individuals’ attitudes toward childbirth approaches. Other studies showed that emotional causes, misconceptions and wrong mental norms in Iranian mothers, sociocultural, religious, and economic customs, and poorly understood behavioral control were the most important causes in choosing the type of delivery (19). Currently, 6 - 17% of all births occurring through CS worldwide are based on the mother’s request (11). Moreover, 17% of indications for CS are due to non-obstetric reasons (20). The most common non-obstetric causes of CS between 1950 - 2017 include cardiovascular and eye diseases (e.g., myopia, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma), blood diseases, rheumatology, psychological diseases (e.g., tokophobia), neurological diseases, orthopedic diseases (e.g., herniated disk), and infectious diseases (e.g., genital warts). Rejecting non-obstetric indications for CS provided by other specialists in the absence of evidence-based support can be a useful strategy to reduce the rate of unnecessary CS (21).
A study performed in the USA showed that prior CS was the strongest predictor of CS with medical and non-medical indications. Vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) is a viable option for many women. However, since 1996, the number of VBACs has significantly decreased and might not even be available in some clinical settings (22). The VBAC rate in 2018 in Iran (0.8%) was much lower than in the USA (13.3%) because women do not have the opportunity to choose VBAC, and health service providers do not recommend it (12). The easiest attempt to reduce the CS rate is to reduce elective CS on maternal request (23). In 2014, one of the most important reforms in Iran’s health system was implemented under the name of the Health Transformation Plan (HTP), one of the goals of which was to reduce the CS rate and increase the desire for vaginal delivery. In the first months of the implementation of the plan, the results indicated a decrease in the CS rate for public and private hospitals (24). In the continuation of the implementation of the plan, some results showed that it was increasing every month in the following months, and it is a sign that this plan, despite being free, did not promote the rate of natural childbirth and socioeconomic and cultural factors are involved in the increase of the CS rate. A reduction in the rate of CS will occur in the long term before planning and performing repeated CS (25).
2. Objectives
The elective CS without medical indications has become a serious concern in Iran and many countries, and officials have expressed concern about the increase in the CS rate and its effects on the health of mothers and children. Not only should the CS rate be determined, but also CS should be provided for women with real medical indications for it, and unnecessary CS should be avoided. Furthermore, according to the implementation of the HTP, the present study aimed to investigate the non-obstetric causes of CS in mothers who were referred to the Medical Services Commission of Alborz province, Iran, to review their requests for CS.
3. Methods
This was a cross-sectional analytical study. The sample selection was based on a census of all clients by the Midwifery Office of Alborz province (one of the provinces adjacent to the capital of Iran) whose requests for CS for non-obstetric reasons were submitted to the Medical Services Commission in 2020. This study examined the information of 312 women. Since the required information of all the study participants was complete, no sample was excluded from the study. It should be noted that in Iran, with the implementation of the HTP in order to reduce the number of unnecessary CSs, pregnant mothers who request a CS for non-obstetric reasons must be submitted by the medical team, along with their medical documents, to the Medical Services Commission located in the deputy director of obstetrics department for treatment. The final review and approval will be referred, and those whose documents are approved will be allowed to undergo elective CS.
In this study, the data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire containing 26 items in two sociodemographic and medical sections. The data were collected and recorded by the interviewers. The sociodemographic section included age, educational level, occupation, residency, and insurance status. Also, medical history, including the number of pregnancies, type of previous delivery, number of live children, abortion, stillbirth, history of infertility, number of pregnancy care, and location, were checked. The medical section was prepared after a detailed study of the literature, books, and other sources (until 2021) in the field of cesarean causes. The face and content validity was confirmed by expert members (majors of obstetrician, gynecology, reproductive health, midwifery, and general practitioner). To evaluate the content validity in the quantitative method, the content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) with the support of expert members were assessed. According to eight academic members with expertise in the relevant field and considering the standard of above 0.75 in Lawshe’s table, the CVR was approved. Furthermore, the CVI for each item was calculated, as previously mentioned, at 0.79. The internal consistency of the instrument with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.86 was also confirmed.
The state of rejecting or approving the request for CS and what was the final type of delivery of the case were two variables that were measured after the follow-up of the subjects. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Alborz University of Medical Sciences (ID number: ABZUMS.REC.1395/139). After obtaining written informed consent from the clients to request a CS from the midwifery department, the questionnaire was given to the participants, and they were asked to answer the items carefully. Then, the subjects’ contact numbers and addresses were taken for follow-up after delivery. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software (version 23). Descriptive statistics, including central and dispersion indices, tables for description, and statistical tests of Fisher’s exact and chi-square, were used to evaluate the association between the reason for requesting CS and sociodemographic variables.
4. Results
In this study, 312 pregnant mothers requested CS for non-obstetric reasons. In this study, 75.6% of mothers were nulliparous, and 87.8% of the participants lived in urban areas. Moreover, 2.9%, 52.2%, 30.4%, and 14.4% of the participants were in the age group under 20, 20 - 30, 31 - 35, and over 35 years, respectively. In this study, only 17.3% of the participants had complementary insurance. Table 1 shows other demographic characteristics of mothers requesting CS.
Table 1.Frequency Distribution of Participants According to Mother’s Education, Spouse’s Education, Mother’s Occupation, and Spouse’s Occupation (N = 312)
| Variables | No. (%) |
|---|---|
| Mother’s education | |
| Illiterate | 2 (0.6) |
| Elementary | 13 (4.2) |
| High school | 61 (19.6) |
| Diploma | 165 (52.9) |
| Associate degree | 11 (3.5) |
| Bachelor’s degree | 54 (17.3) |
| Higher than a bachelor’s degree | 6 (1.9) |
| Father’s education | |
| Illiterate | 1 (0.3) |
| Elementary | 15 (4.8) |
| High school | 61 (19.6) |
| Diploma | 169 (54.2) |
| Associate degree | 16 (5.1) |
| Bachelor’s degree | 41 (13.1) |
| Higher than a bachelor’s degree | 9 (2.9) |
| Mother’s occupation | |
| Employee | 19 (6.1) |
| Self-employed | 4 (1.3) |
| Housewife | 289 (92.6) |
| Father’s occupation | |
| Employee | 65 (20.8) |
| Self-employed | 247 (79.2) |
The results of the study showed that the average time since the last birth of the participants was 8.45 ± 3.71 years. The average duration of suffering from non-obstetric causes among the participants was 4.97 ± 5.70 years. In this study, all mothers received prenatal care. Furthermore, 98.7% of the participants had attended childbirth preparation classes. In this study, 3.8% of the participants had a history of infertility. Table 2 shows other characteristics of the obstetric history of the participants.
Table 2.Frequency Distribution of Participants According to History of Abortion, Number of Pregnancies, Number of Births, and History of Child Death (N = 312)
| Variables | No. (%) |
|---|---|
| History of abortion | |
| Yes | 50 (16) |
| No | 262 (84) |
| Number of pregnancies | |
| 1 | 206 (66) |
| 2 | 48 (15.4) |
| 3 | 44 (14.1) |
| 4 | 10 (3.2) |
| 5 | 2 (0.6) |
| 7 | 1 (0.3) |
| 11 | 1 (0.3) |
| Number of births | |
| 0 | 236 (75.6) |
| 1 | 47 (15.1) |
| 2 | 27 (8.7) |
| 3 | 1 (0.3) |
| 4 | 1 (0.3) |
| History of child death | |
| Yes | 2 (0.6) |
| No | 310 (99.4) |
The frequency distribution of the non-obstetric reasons of participants was reported as 83 (26.6%), 60 (19.2%), 25 (8%), 24 (7.7%), 20 (6.4%), 14 (4.5%), and 86 (27.6%) for lumbar disc disease, eye diseases, repeat CS, genital warts, in vitro fertilization (IVF), fear of childbirth pain, and other causes, respectively. Table 3 shows the frequency distribution of the non-obstetric reasons of participants based on the decision of the Medical Services Commission.
Table 3.Frequency Distribution of Delivery Results According to Non-obstetric Reasons
| Non-obstetric Causes | Natural Childbirth, No. (%) | Cesarean Section, No. (%) | P-Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eye diseases (e.g., LASIK) | 1 (1.7) | 59 (98.3) | 0.011 |
| Lumbar disc disease | 14 (16.9) | 69 (83.1) | |
| Genital warts | 4 (16.7) | 20 (83.3) | |
| In vitro fertilization | 1 (5) | 19 (95) | |
| Fear of childbirth pain | 0 (0) | 14 (100) | |
| Repeat cesarean section | 0 (0) | 25 (100) | |
| Other causes (e.g., epilepsy and hemorrhoids) | 9 (10.5) | 77 (89.5) | |
| Total | 29 (9.3) | 283 (90.7) |
Fisher’s exact test showed a significant association between the age group and the reason for requesting CS (P < 0.001) (Table 4). Fisher’s exact test showed a significant association between the type of insurance and the reason for requesting CS (P = 0.043). Accordingly, a higher percentage of complementary insurance holders were referred to undergoing CS due to back problems and fear of childbirth.
Table 4.Association Between Age Group and Non-obstetric Reasons for Cesarean Section
| Non-obstetric Causes | Under 30 Years | 31-35 Years, No. (%) | Over 35 Years, No. (%) | Test | P-Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eye diseases (e.g., LASIK) | 38 (22.1) | 17 (17.9) | 5 (11.1) | Fisher’s exact | 0.014 |
| Lumbar disc disease | 46 (26.7) | 28 (29.5) | 9 (20.0) | ||
| Genital warts | 20 (11.6) | 4 (4.20) | 0 (0) | ||
| In vitro fertilization | 2 (1.2) | 12 (12.6) | 6 (13.3) | ||
| Fear of childbirth pain | 10 (5.8) | 2 (2.1) | 2 (4.4) | ||
| Repeat cesarean section | 1 (.6) | 14 (14.7) | 10 (22.2) | ||
| Other causes (e.g., epilepsy and hemorrhoids) | 55 (32) | 18 (18.9) | 13 (28.9) |
In addition, the Chi-square test results showed that a significant association was observed between the educational level of the mothers (diploma and higher or lower than diploma) and the reason for requesting a CS (P < 0.001). Accordingly, a higher percentage of women with an educational level lower than a diploma were referred to performing repeat CS.
Additionally, Fisher’s exact test results did not show a significant association between the reason for a woman’s request for CS with her place of residence (city/village) (P = 0.08), mother’s status of employment or unemployment (P = 0.08), and father’s occupation (self-employed/employee) (P = 0.9). Furthermore, 87.8% of the total number of requests were accepted by the Medical Services Commission. In the postpartum follow-up of participants, it was shown that 26.3% of the participants requesting CS were rejected by the Medical Services Commission and ended their pregnancy with CS. Fisher’s exact test results showed that there was a significant association between the outcome (vaginal delivery or CS) and the reason for requesting CS in the group whose request was not accepted (P = 0.014) (Table 5).
Table 5.Frequency Distribution of Delivery Results According to Non-obstetric Reasons in the Application Rejection Group
| Non-obstetric Causes | Natural Childbirth, No. (%) | Cesarean Section, No. (%) | Test | P Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eye diseases (e.g., LASIK) | 1 (50) | 1 (50) | Fisher’s exact | 0.000 |
| Lumbar disc disease | 13 (86.7) | 2 (13.3) | ||
| Genital warts | 4 (100) | 0 (0) | ||
| In vitro fertilization | 1 (25) | 3 (75) | ||
| Fear of childbirth pain | 0 (0) | 2 (100) | ||
| Repeat cesarean section | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | ||
| Other causes (e.g., epilepsy and hemorrhoids) | 9 (81.8) | 2 (18.2) | ||
| Total | 28 (73.7) | 10 (26.3) |
5. Discussion
The findings of this study showed a significant association between the reason for requesting CS and the age group (P < 0.001), the type of insurance (P = 0.043), and the mother’s educational level (P < 0.001). Cesarean section without medical indication has increased in Iran in the last three decades. According to studies conducted in Iran, sociodemographic factors, such as increasing marriage age, mothers’ employment, educational level, living in urban areas, access to health insurance, low economic status, ethnicity, housing status and family size, and maternal and midwifery factors, such as lower parity, history of childbirth, previous history of abortion, infertility and assisted pregnancy, and female preference for CS, were associated with the CS rate. Increasing access to health services, having health insurance, and decreasing fertility rates are reported to be the most important factors contributing to the increase in elective CS. Several factors, including the role of healthcare professionals, insurance companies, sociocultural factors, and health policies, can contribute to the significant increase in the CS rate, which is due to removing the delivery from its natural and non-medical processes. (14, 25-28).
In the present study, most of the women in the younger age group of less than 30 years (55.1%) and non-employees (92.6%) requested CS for non-obstetric reasons. Dweik et al., contrary to the common discussion about increasing the CS rate at an older age, proposed a younger maternal age due to the influence of the perceived environment on CS and the individual’s belief that CS is more beneficial (28). In a study by Shehwar et al., CS was more common among women aged 26-30 years and housewives with higher educational levels due to frequent visits to prenatal care (29). It has been suggested that women with higher educational levels are more likely to seek a reason to perform a CS due to the knowledge of the association between natural childbirth and pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. Women with a history of abortion and ART choose CS due to the desire to preserve this precious pregnancy and with the idea that CS is safer for themselves and especially their child, and the traumatic experience of previous abortion affects their choice (30).
In the current study, the non-obstetric causes in the order of prevalence were lumbar disc disease (n = 83, 26.6%), eye diseases (n = 60, 19.2%), repeat CS (n = 25, 8%), genital warts (n = 24, 7.7%), IVF (n = 20, 6.4%), fear of childbirth pain (n = 14, 4.5%), and other causes (n = 86, 27.6%).
In the present study, 26.6% of participants undergoing CS had lumbar disc disease. It is estimated that lumbar disc herniation (LDH) affects approximately 1 in 10,000 pregnant women. Although women with normal deliveries do not report high rates of persistent neurological symptoms, some doctors recommend that women have CS to prevent the worsening of lumbar spine symptoms. Labor induction before LDH treatment can increase nerve damage due to increased epidural venous pressure occurring during labor (31, 32).
In the current study, the frequency of eye diseases was 19.2%. The percentage of indications for CS might be due to non-obstetric reasons, 20.5% of which are related to eye diseases. It has also been said that the eye diseases that are the most common indications of CS are myopia, retinopathy, and glaucoma. A review of the articles shows no consensus about planning the delivery method based on eye diseases (20). A recent meta-analysis showed that the vertical transmission rate of human papillomavirus (HPV) in CS is lower than in vaginal delivery. However, CS prevents vertical transmission but does not make it impossible (33). In HPV-DNA positive mothers, CS should be indicated only in the presence of large obstructing condyloma, leading to a physical obstruction in vaginal delivery. Although if there is a high load of HPV and healthy membranes, it is appropriate for the mother to be informed about the risks and benefits of CS or vaginal delivery and decide on the delivery type (21).
In line with the results of this study, several studies reported the demand for CS after IVF (33, 34). Decisions about how to deliver pregnancies resulting from ART should only be based on evidence, and vaginal delivery should be encouraged in low-risk pregnancies. There is no specific information about CS after ART in Iran. The choice of CS following ART has become common because the management of these pregnancies is considered high-risk. The actual medical condition of these women should be considered in determining the mode of delivery. Further research is needed to investigate the rate and indications of CS after ART in Iran (15).
One of the main indications for CS is prior CS (35, 36). Women with prior CS do not want to have a VBAC due to fear, loneliness, and powerlessness. Therefore, comprehensive support, including planning a special care system for women who have had prior SC, is necessary. Designing cultural plans for natural childbirth helps modify women’s beliefs and increase their knowledge in making decisions about VBAC. It is recommended to plan for these strategies and evaluate their effectiveness (37). Since the number of children of a mother undergoing CS is limited, it is essential to perform such an operation only if there are clear medical indications. Although a CS is a safe operation, when performed without a medical need, it exposes mothers and their neonates to short- and long-term health problems.
All individuals and groups should be involved in reducing the CS rates. Persuading specialists to perform vaginal delivery through modifying payment mechanisms and increasing access to delivery services and community-based education through mass media can help change the attitude of Iranian mothers toward CS (38). Iran’s national health policy for natural childbirth promotion program is to reduce the CS rates for nulliparous women. Therefore, it is necessary to develop health literacy among women through counseling in birth preparation classes by midwives. Efforts to reduce CS in Iran can be achieved by empowering healthcare providers, particularly obstetricians, and gynecologists, to provide physiologic delivery and ensure continuity of care by midwives. (7).
As the strengths of this study, it can be mentioned that it was conducted for the first time in Iran and in Alborz province, which is a highly populated province with multi-ethnic residents. Documentary data were obtained from the vice-chancellor for treatment affairs, which received all the requests of the Alborz province. The authors suggest that similar studies be repeated at certain intervals to monitor the changes in the causes of CS requests. It is also suggested to conduct this study in other parts of the country.
