Doctors decide which mums-to-be need a caesarean, not the mums themselves, says a new study
The saying “too posh to push” is inaccurate as it’s doctors who decide whether a caesarean will happen, not the mum, a new study published in the British Medical Journal states.
Currently, around one in four mums-to-be give birth via caesarean. While there have been claims that mums were opting for a caesarean out of fear of labour, wanting to control the time of the birth or worry about physical damage, researchers have found this isn’t the case.
Scientists reviewed the births of 620,604 single babies in 2008. The researchers found that 24% of babies were delivered by caesarean, and that caesarean rates varied from 15% in some hospitals to almost a third in others.
“This study shows that the reasons for women having c-sections are compelling and not simply a result of maternal choice. Certainly, clinical factors such as when the baby is in a breech position mean that a c-section is indicated,” said Dr Anthony Falconer, President of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
