MYTH: Once a caesarean, always a caesarean

REALITY: Women who’ve had a previous caesarean birth have a higher chance of complications in future births, but Clare says key health organisations such as the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) agree that planning a vaginal birth after a previous caesarean can be a safe choice.

The 2017 National Maternity and Perinatal Audit found that across Britain, 41.9% of women plan a vaginal birth after caesarean, of whom 57.7% give birth vaginally.

“Whether you prefer a repeat caesarean or a planned vaginal birth, you can expect to have a detailed discussion with your caregivers about the benefits and disadvantages of birth after caesarean,” stresses Clare.

■ Why Caesarean Matters (left) by Clare Goggin, published by Pinter & Martin, is available in paperback, RRP £8.99.