Turkey Bans Non-Medical C-Sections at Private Hospitals

New regulation triggers outcry from opposition and women’s groups amid Erdoğan’s push for “natural births”

ANKARA, April 21, 2025 — Turkey’s Health Ministry has officially banned elective Caesarean-section births in private healthcare institutions unless medically justified, according to a regulation published in the government’s Official Gazette on April 19. The controversial policy has reignited fierce debates on bodily autonomy, state control over reproductive health, and women’s rights across the country.

New Rule: “No Planned C-Sections Without Medical Need”

The regulation explicitly states:

“Planned Caesarean sections cannot be performed in a medical centre,”
marking a significant shift in public health policy and targeting Turkey’s record-high C-section rates, which stand at 584 per 1,000 live births — the highest among OECD nations according to 2021 data from World Population Review.

While the Health Ministry claims the move aims to promote maternal health and reduce unnecessary surgical interventions, critics say it reflects increasing state intrusion into women’s private health decisions.

Erdoğan’s Push for “Natural Births” and Larger Families

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has long promoted vaginal delivery over C-sections, calling it a more “natural” method and aligning the stance with broader efforts to combat declining fertility rates in Turkey.
In January, he declared 2025 as the “Year of the Family”, urging women to have at least three children to reverse the falling birth rate, which reached a historic low of 1.51 in 2023.

Football Match Sparks Uproar

The issue became a national talking point after Sivasspor football players walked onto the pitch last weekend carrying a banner that read:

“Natural birth is natural,”
— a direct slogan from the Health Ministry’s recent campaign.

The display, televised during a Super Lig match against Fenerbahçe, triggered a wave of online backlash.

Opposition, Women’s Rights Groups Decry “Male Interference”

Gökçe Gökçen, deputy chair of the main opposition CHP, condemned the campaign:

“As if the country had no other problems, male football players are telling women how to give birth.”
“Don’t interfere in women’s affairs with your ignorance. Keep your hands off women’s bodies.”

Her remarks were widely echoed by feminist organizations, healthcare professionals, and opposition figures who see the move as part of a broader erosion of women’s rights in Turkey, where abortion access has already been quietly restricted despite remaining technically legal.

Medical Concerns and Autonomy in Question

Doctors’ associations argue that C-sections, while sometimes overused, are often chosen for legitimate personal or psychological reasons and must remain available without fear of punishment or stigmatization.

Critics also point to potential risks for maternal and infant health if patients are forced into vaginal births under pressure, particularly in regions lacking adequate prenatal care and emergency response capabilities.