A Turkish Health Ministry campaign promoting natural childbirth has triggered public debate after male football players displayed a banner reading “Natural birth is normal birth” during a Sunday high-profile match between Sivasspor and Fenerbahce.

The campaign, which medical experts say implies that cesarean sections are unnatural unless medically necessary, has sparked debate about government involvement in women’s reproductive choices and the appropriateness of using an overwhelmingly male-dominated sporting event to deliver messages about childbirth.

“Truly curious: when did men become experts at giving birth?” wrote journalist Beril Akman on social media, reflecting widespread sentiment among critics who view the initiative as inappropriate ‘mansplaining.’

Turkish media consumption data adds context to reproductive rights debate

According to data from Türkiye’s Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK), football is the most watched sport in the country, with 81.3% of television sports viewership. However, the audience is predominantly male, which critics say makes football matches a particularly problematic venue for messaging about women’s health decisions.

A Turkish women's platform described the display as a "mansplaining demonstration organized by the Ministry" and criticized it as "a directive and sexist intervention on women's bodies and reproductive rights."

"In a venue where 95% of the spectators are men, a one-sided and sexist message was given about women's birth preferences," the organization stated on social media. "How women give birth, what they find 'natural,' or what they do with their bodies only concerns women."

Medical opinion on the matter remains divided. A senior childbirth specialist, speaking to Türkiye Today on condition of anonymity, explained the complexity of the issue.

"Some doctors say natural (vaginal) birth is healthier, while others claim cesarean birth is healthier, so doctors are actually divided on this issue," the specialist said. "Although it's believed that natural birth eliminates certain disease risks because the mother delivers completely normally through the vaginal canal, it can also cause vaginal loosening and pigmentation that affects the mother's future life and can lead to postpartum urinary incontinence."

The specialist outlined risks associated with vaginal deliveries, including potential dangers to the infant if the mother cannot effectively push during labor, and noted that cesarean births offer more predictability but come with "different yet preventable risks, in which the surgeon has more authority to take preventative measures."

The Health Ministry has not publicly responded to the criticism of the campaign or its choice of venue.