Greece: 7 in 10 births by C-section, rates reach 84% in some hospitals

Greece ranks among the highest globally for Cesarean section rates, with approximately 67% of births, or seven out of ten, delivered via C-section. This figure starkly contrasts with most European nations, where rates typically fall between 15% and 30%. In some provincial hospitals, 2023 data shows C-section rates reaching as high as 84%.

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Greece continues to be among the top countries globally in Cesarean section rates, as 67% of births, meaning about seven out of ten children, are born via C-section, while in most European countries the corresponding rates range between 15% and 30%. In some provincial hospitals, in fact, data from 2023 record rates reaching up to 84%.

Konstantina Nousia, president of the Observatory of Obstetric Violence in Greece, presented these findings. Citing scientific studies, she stated that babies born via C-section have a higher likelihood of developing allergies and asthma. The Observatory, the ninth of its kind globally and a member of the International Federation InterOVO, was established to record and highlight instances of obstetric violence in maternity care settings.

Nousia explained that unnecessary C-sections are a frequent form of obstetric violence documented by the Observatory. When not medically necessary, C-sections are linked to longer recovery times for mothers. Obstetric violence can be verbal, psychological, or physical, manifesting through practices like performing medical procedures without informed consent, inadequate information for pregnant women, frequent vaginal examinations without indication, and the Christeller maneuver, applying strong pressure to the abdomen during fetal delivery.

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Children born by C-section have increased chances of developing allergies and asthma.

International guidelines suggest monitoring cervical dilation every four hours during normal labor. However, in Greece, examinations are often conducted much more frequently. The Christeller maneuver has been abandoned in many countries due to its perceived risks to both mother and fetus. Nousia revealed she experienced all forms of obstetric violence during her own births, emphasizing her desire to highlight the phenomenon rather than her personal experience.

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The Observatory of Obstetric Violence in Greece was created to record and highlight cases of obstetric violence in maternity care settings, gather women's testimonies, and promote changes in practices applied during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

She cited psychological violence as an example, where expectant mothers are pressured into C-sections, even without a genuine medical need, with threats that the baby is in danger. Nousia recounted being told, "Your baby will die if we don't do a C-section now." She opted against it, and her baby was unharmed, as she, a midwife, observed the baby's strong heart rate. She felt empowered to manage the situation, highlighting the psychological pressure mothers can face.

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Unnecessary Cesarean section is one of the most frequent forms of obstetric violence recorded by the Observatory.