Pune: The latest data from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) indicates a significant rise in cesarean deliveries compared to natural births in recent years. Experts attribute this shift to factors such as late marriages, increasing maternal age, health complications like high blood pressure and diabetes, and a growing reluctance to endure labor pain.
Changing Marriage and Motherhood Trends Impacting Birth Choices
According to Doctor, societal changes have played a key role in this shift.
“Women are marrying later due to higher education and career commitments. Earlier, women typically had children in their early twenties, but now many plan pregnancies in their late twenties or thirties. This delay increases the likelihood of health issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes, making cesarean deliveries a more frequent choice,” she explained.
Doctor also noted a decline in pain tolerance among women, leading many to opt for cesarean sections even without medical necessity. Advances in medical technology, including anesthesia, have further contributed to this preference by ensuring a painless surgical procedure.
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As per the information received, earlier, only 15% of deliveries were cesarean, but this has now risen to 25-26% globally. While the final decision rests with gynecologists based on medical risk factors, many women today express a strong preference for cesarean deliveries due to fear of labor pain,” he stated.
PMC records for 2021-2025 reveal a clear increase in cesarean deliveries, with numbers surpassing natural births in the last two years.
According to data from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the number of cesarean deliveries has been steadily increasing over the years, surpassing normal deliveries in recent times. In 2021-22, there were 35,957 normal deliveries compared to 23,817 cesarean deliveries. However, in 2022-23, the trend shifted, with 28,004 normal deliveries and 29,103 cesarean deliveries, marking the first time cesarean births outnumbered natural births.
The gap widened further in 2023-24, as 29,101 normal deliveries were recorded, while cesarean deliveries surged to 34,672. The most recent data from April 2024 to February 2025 indicates that normal deliveries have further declined to 21,639, whereas cesarean deliveries have risen to 26,850. This upward trend in cesarean procedures highlights a significant shift in childbirth preferences and medical recommendations over the past few years.
Despite the rise in cesarean sections, medical experts emphasize that natural births remain the healthier option for women who are physically fit for vaginal delivery.
“Normal delivery allows for a quicker recovery compared to cesarean births, where the healing process can take several months,” noted another gynecologist.
Doctor further explained, “A first normal delivery increases the chances of subsequent normal births. However, with increasing maternal age, obesity, and health risks, doctors are increasingly required to opt for cesarean deliveries.”
As the preference for cesarean sections grows, health experts continue to stress the importance of prioritizing medical necessity over personal choice, ensuring the well-being of both mother and child.
