Bangladesh 2014

The 2014 BDHS collected information on the reasons for
which a doctor proposed to have the birth delivered by C-section.
Table 9.7 shows the findings for the most recent live births in the three
years preceding the survey. The most common reasons cited include
mal-presentation of the baby (42 percent) and failure to progress in
labor (21 percent).
9.2.3 Assistance during Delivery
Obstetric care from a trained provider during delivery is
critical for the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality. Table 9.8
shows the percent distribution of all live births in the three years
preceding the survey by type of assistance during delivery, according
to background characteristics. Forty-two percent of births in
Bangladesh were attended by medically trained personnel, that is, a
qualified doctor, nurse, midwife, family welfare visitor (FWV), or
community skilled birth attendant (CSBA) 1 . Additionally, trained
traditional birth attendants assisted in 10 percent of deliveries.
Table 9.7 Reasons for C-section
Percentage of most recent live births in the three
years preceding the survey proposed by doctor
for delivery by C-section by reasons for C-
section, Bangladesh 2014
Reasons for C-section
Percentage of
births by
C-section
Avoid labor pain 3.2
Mal presentation 41.5
Premature baby 1.7
Cord prolapsed 2.6
Multiple births 0.2
Failure to progress in labor 21.1
Pre-eclampsia 2.9
Diabetes 0.5
Less pressure on baby’s brain 9.7
Convenience 5.8
Other complications 38.6
Number of births by C-section 627
Note: 274 births delivered by C-section had a
previous birth by C-section and have not been
included in the table.
However, more than one-third of births in Bangladesh were assisted by dais or untrained traditional birth
attendants (37 percent), and 6 percent of deliveries were assisted by relatives and friends.
1
In Bangladesh, although medical assistants (MAs) and sub-assistant community medical officers (SACMOs) are
considered medically trained providers for antenatal care and postnatal care, they are not considered medically trained
providers for childbirth.
122 • Maternal and Newborn Health