Islamic State warns medics against performing C-section to deliver babies

Muslim scholar says mothers should not use pain relieving medication during labour and child-birth

Terming the procedure of delivering babies by Caesarean section (C-section) 'un-Islamic' and Western, the militant group Islamic State (IS) ordered doctors to abstain from the method. 

IS militants published a statement, ordering medics to not carry out the surgical procedure in which incisions are made through abdomen and uterus to deliver a baby.

Interestingly, IS had earlier ordered doctors to charge 15,000 Syrian pounds for the procedure - amount equal to two months' salary of an average Syrian.

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"In order to assist the believers from the sons of Islam who are working in the medical corps to support their brothers from the poor and others besides them from the Muslim populace, and with the desire to keep the course of medical work removed from arbitrary whim," said the statement.

"This is to be considered as tantamount to a written order and all who contravene it will be held accountable in the Dar al-Qaḍa [IS judiciary] with attendant consequence," it added.

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Gynecologists and medical teams who defy the rule will be subjected to punishment.

A prominent Islamic scholar, in an earlier ruling on Islamic doctrine, stated that Muslim mothers should not use pain relieving medication during labour and child-birth.

PHOTO: AFP

He was quoted as saying "I would like to take this opportunity to point out a phenomenon that has been mentioned to us, which is that many obstetricians, male and female, in the hospitals are too keen for birth to take place by surgical means, which is known as a Caesarean."

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"I am afraid that this may be a plot against the Muslims, because the more births which take place in this manner, the more the skin of the abdomen is weakened and pregnancy becomes more dangerous for the woman, and she becomes unable to get pregnant," he added.

He further commented that "Some of the people who work in private hospitals have told me that many women come to the hospitals and their specialists tell them that there is no alternative to a Caesarean, then they go to this private hospital and give birth naturally."

The procedure has gained popularity across the West, although, its use should only be implemented when delivery through the birth canal is not possible or is unsafe for the mother and the child.

An estimated 64 percent of Syrian public hospitals have been damaged, destroyed or shut down due to the continuing conflict in the war torn region.

This article originally appeared on International Business Times