C-section a right

A major survey has found almost a quarter of hospitals across the UK routinely refuse to perform caesarean sections on expectant mothers unless they or their child are in serious danger. Such refusals are a direct contradiction of guidelines which state that “maternal requests” on the grounds of anxiety or personal factors must be granted.

It’s the inevitable outcome of the deadly turf war between midwives and obstetricians and such vile slogans as “too posh to push”. But women usually have good reasons for requesting a planned caesarean. Often they or a family member has experienced a traumatic birth. Above all, it is their right.

Today’s mothers are older, heavier, have fewer babies and their babies are larger. The fact is most female obstetricians choose a c-section for their own births, so perhaps it’s not so much being “too posh to push” as being “too smart to push”. (REV) DR JOHN CAMERON

Howard Place, St Andrews