Erbil Health Department rejected the requests of several women who wanted to schedule cesarean sections on May 5, 2025, due to the significance of the date, which they considered a "beautiful date." However, doctors believe that inducing labor early can be harmful to both the baby and the mother's future health.
On Monday, May 5, 2025, several mothers requested to have their babies delivered through surgery at public hospitals in order to coincide with the unique date, even though their due dates were still a week or more away.
"About seven women approached us to schedule cesarean sections due to the appeal of the date, but we declined as they did not have the necessary medical approval," said Lana Tal'at, director of the UAE Hospital in Erbil.
The Health Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government KRG, Saman Barzanji, issued a warning to all hospitals, public and private, advising against scheduling surgeries for aesthetic purposes, as it could endanger the lives of both the fetus and the mother.
In accordance with the Health Minister's directive, pregnant women must provide medical documentation indicating the necessity of an early delivery before any surgical procedures can be performed. Failure to comply could result in disciplinary action against the doctor.
Prior to this decision, there was a trend of elective birth, particularly in private hospitals, to coincide with "beautiful dates." However, following the warning this year, such practices have been discouraged.
Lanja Khidir, 35, decided to give birth by caesarian surgery on December 12, 2012, 13 years ago, although her due date was a week to 10 days away.
"My husband preferred our baby to be born on that date. We went to the doctor and told him that we could give birth that day and there would be no problems. The doctor told us there were no problems and we did.”
My husband would rather have our baby born on that date
Although Lanja and her baby are still in good health, doctors advise pregnant women to avoid premature birth.
Hozan Jabar was one of the women who wanted to have her baby removed by surgery on May 5, 2025, although her baby was two weeks away from birth.
"We wanted our baby to be born that day, but when the doctor explained the risks, we gave up the idea," Hozan said.
A field study showed that the rate of cesarean sections, up until 10 years ago, ranged between 7 to 10% of all births. However, the rate has now risen to between 35 to 40%. The cost of a cesarean section in government hospitals in the KRI, including Duhok Maternity Hospital, is 30,000 Iraqi dinars IQD (USD20). Other services are also available to mothers, including pre-operative examinations and the provision of a blood transfusion if needed.
Vian Saadi Shekhani, a gynecologist and obstetrician, shared, "This year, no women have approached me to induce labor for a specific date. While parents may desire special dates for their children's births, once the risks of premature birth are explained, they usually reconsider."
Shekhani further explained the potential risks associated with premature births, such as weight loss, breathing difficulties, jaundice, brain disorders, pneumonia, and the financial burden of hospitalization.
According to statistics from the Erbil General Directorate of Health, 46 babies were born on May 5, 2025 in Erbil, with 25 being delivered through surgery.
Iraq still has the highest fertility rate in the region, with only 36% of couples relying on modern contraception methods, indicating a need for more accessible family planning services.
Past surveys revealed that the country’s Total Fertility Rate varied between 3.67 to 4.2 children/women. Another statistic in Iraq indicates that over 50 percent of women aged 15 to 49 do not want more children or want to space out their births.
Dr. Tal'at emphasized the importance of medical evaluation before any decision to induce labor early, highlighting the risks to both the baby and the mother's health.
"Premature deliveries not only pose risks to the baby but also endanger the mother's well-being. Mothers may experience emotional distress knowing their child may face health challenges such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and respiratory issues," Tal'at added.
