Fact Check: Turkey ban non medical cesarean birth

Fact Check: Turkey Bans Non-Medical Cesarean Births

What We Know

Turkey has officially banned elective Caesarean-section births at private healthcare facilities. This regulation was published in the government’s Official Gazette on April 19, 2025, and it prohibits planned C-sections unless there is a medical justification (Turkey bans elective C-sections at private medical centers). The move has been framed as part of a broader campaign by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to promote what he refers to as "natural births" and to address the country's high rates of C-section deliveries, which are the highest among OECD countries (Turkey bans elective C-sections at private medical centres, In Turkey, Erdogan issues a decree to curb C-sections).

The new rules have sparked significant criticism from opposition politicians, healthcare professionals, and women's rights advocates, who argue that the decision infringes on women's rights and autonomy over their own bodies (Turkey bans C-sections without medical reason to boost birthrate). Erdoğan has publicly defended the initiative, linking it to national demographic concerns, as Turkey's fertility rate has reached a record low of 1.51 in 2023 (Turkey bans elective C-sections at private medical centres).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that Turkey has banned non-medical C-sections is robust and consistent across multiple credible sources. The ban is explicitly stated in the regulations issued by the Turkish Health Ministry, which has been reported by various news outlets, including France24 and Le Monde. These sources confirm that the ban applies specifically to private medical institutions and is aimed at reducing the number of elective C-sections performed without medical necessity.

Critics of the ban, including opposition lawmakers and women's rights groups, have raised concerns about the implications for women's health and autonomy. They argue that the decision could force women into vaginal births even when a C-section may be medically advisable or personally preferred (Turkey restricts planned C-sections amid vaginal birth campaign). This perspective is echoed in reports from The New Arab and Eurotopics, which highlight the backlash against the government's stance.

The sources utilized in this analysis are credible and provide a comprehensive view of the situation. They include established news organizations and reports from health authorities, which lend weight to the claims made regarding the ban.

Conclusion

The claim that Turkey has banned non-medical cesarean births is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that the Turkish government has enacted regulations prohibiting elective C-sections at private healthcare facilities unless medically justified. This decision is part of a broader initiative to promote natural childbirth and address declining birth rates in the country.