Why Italy has the highest number of cesarean sections

A major exploitation of women. The numbers prove it: cesarean sections are the norm in clinics and southern regions.

di |
cesarean sections in Italy 3
Among the many strange and unwelcome records we hold in the healthcare field, we also have that of being the country with the highest percentage of cesarean sections: one in three women resorts to it, whereas according to the World Health Organization, this type of procedure should not be performed in more than 10-15 percent of cases.
Statistics help us understand, unequivocally, that behind this trend there is real speculation, to the detriment of women and their families.
The national CeDAP report of the Ministry of Health indicates that In 2024, 29,8% of births in Italy occurred by caesarean sectioni.e. almost 1 in 3 births.

However, it's also important to look at the differences: in public hospitals, the rate is around 28 percent; in accredited nursing homes , it exceeds 40 percent in many surveys, reaching around 45 percent in some years.

Furthermore, there are strong regional differences: some regions (practically from Lombardy to Tuscany) have rates close to 20-25 percent, while in the South they almost always exceed 40 percent, with Campania peaking at 45 percent.
The conclusion comes from data provided by the National Institute of Health, according to which approximately 40 percent of cesarean sections in Italy are unjustified. How can these anomalies be explained? The answer is simple: increased profit for the facility, usually a private clinic, and for the medical staff. Each cesarean section, in fact, costs no less than €1.139 more than a normal delivery, to which must be added the additional hospital stay. The cost is shouldered by the National Health Service, given that the facilities examined by the ministry, a total of 78, are public hospitals and private clinics. And the total cost of this waste is currently €85 million.

Considering that a cesarean section increases all risk factors, from the possibility of death for the woman (the risk is three times greater than that of a natural birth) to injuries to the newborn (37 times greater), the Ministry of Health is now faced with the possibility of sending the documentation to the Public Prosecutor's Office. The potential crimes committed are extremely serious: injury, forgery of a public document, and fraud against the National Health Service. But while awaiting the usual judicial intervention, the regions could increase controls, and families could, in turn, monitor the behavior of doctors and department managers. The Ministry reminds that "a cesarean section is not without risk and should be performed only if clinical conditions make it necessary."

But what are the most serious risks of cesarean sections? First of all, an emergency cesarean section lasts just a few minutes; a scheduled cesarean section lasts 10 to 15 minutes, plus another 45 minutes for delivery of the placenta and stitching of the incisions.
As for the risks, the most serious are:
  • A longer convalescence than natural birth
  • Infection of the wound or uterine wall
  • Blood loss leading to hemorrhage which may require immediate transfusions
  • Damage to the urinary system
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Deep vein thrombosis.
According to the National Association of Italian Hospital Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a cesarean section is considered essential or strongly recommended when one of the following conditions occurs:
  • Complete placenta previa, that is, when the placenta completely obstructs the cervix.
  • Umbilical cord prolapse, because the cord can become compressed and cut off the oxygen supply to the fetus.
  • Acute fetal distress, if vaginal delivery cannot be completed quickly.
  • Transverse presentation of child.
  • Placental abruption with compromised maternal or fetal conditions.
  • Uterine rupture or very high risk of breakage.
  • Some maternal infections, such as genital herpes with active lesions at the time of delivery, to reduce the risk of transmission to the newborn.
Then there are many situations that do not automatically represent an indication for a cesarean section., but require a case-by-case evaluation. These include:
  • a previous cesarean section (many women can give birth vaginally with a VBAC);
  • breech presentation (depends on the team's experience and the characteristics of the pregnancy);
  • twin pregnancy;
  • fetal macrosomia (very large baby);
  • prolonged labor or failure to progress, after excluding other care options.

Read also:

Want to see a selection of our news?

Don't Waste