All British women have the right to a caesarean – they’re not ‘too posh to push’ | Susanna Rustin

Maternity figures have again prompted stigmatising comment. The rules are clear, and British mothers must defend their hard-won freedom to choose

In Britain a woman has the right to choose a caesarean. This right exists within the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) guidelines, and has done for five years. The rules do not lack clarity. The note on women for whom there is no reason to avoid a vaginal delivery, other than that they are scared or don’t want one, says “if after discussion and offer of support (including perinatal mental health support for women with anxiety about childbirth), a vaginal birth is still not an acceptable option, offer a planned CS” [caesarean section]”. When there is practitioner uncertainty, the guidelines are again perfectly clear. “An obstetrician unwilling to perform a CS should refer the woman to an obstetrician who will carry out the CS,” the note continues.

Related: Is ‘incessant increase’ in caesarean births putting first-time mothers’ health at risk?

It is true that older mothers – who are also likely to be richer and more educated – are more likely to have C-sections

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from Pregnancy | The Guardian http://ift.tt/22XSIwa