China's top health authority has called for a thorough investigation into the suicide a pregnant woman who was denied a Caesarean section in Yulin, Shaanxi province.

Ma Rongrong, 26, jumped to her death from the fifth floor of the First Hospital of Yulin on Aug 31. She had visited the hospital to give birth and was complaining of unbearable labor pains.

"We are highly concerned with the incident and have ordered local health authorities to carefully investigate the case," Song Shuli, a spokeswoman for the National Health and Family Planning Commission, said on Thursday.

She also expressed her deep condolences to the woman's family for their loss, and indicated that anyone found guilty of malpractice will be severely punished.

The family and hospital have clashed over what led to Ma's death.

The hospital said its doctors suggested Ma have a C-section three times, but her family refused. It has offered to release the consent form for a natural birth, the nurses' records, and screenshots from surveillance cameras.

However, a cousin of Ma's husband, surnamed Yan, was quoted by Beijing Youth Daily as saying two doctors said after examining the pregnant woman that there was no need for a C-section.

Two doctors have been suspended pending an investigation.

Wang Keju contributed to this story.