According to a report in The Guardian newspaper, Dr. David Richmond, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, has expressed concern over the number of women in the UK choosing to undergo caesarean sections at the culmination of their first pregnancy.
Speaking to The Observer, Dr. Richmond highlighted an issue which he felt needed urgent attention if the number of caesarean births was to decrease in any significant way.
Calling on the NHS to focus its attention on the matter, Dr. Richmond asserted that too many women are undergoing C-sections despite experiencing a pregnancy which progressed without any significant issue.
Drawing down on the link which exists between a first-time caesarean section and subsequent caesareans, Dr. Richmond, who is based at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, explained: "The benefit of reducing the number of first-time mothers having a caesarean would be to reduce the risk of having a caesarean with any later pregnancies."
Taking umbrage with the number of hospitals which choose to carry out the procedures, Dr. Richmond continued: "What we need to do is look at the primary caesarean section rate for first-time mothers who have a normal-term, head-first baby. You will find that the rate of elective and caesarean section has a significant variation, depending on which hospital the woman chooses for the birth."
Dr. Richmond acknowledged that various factors play a role in a hospital's decision to conduct the procedure including the women's specific request, the hospital's fear of a lawsuit should something go awry during natural childbirth and the concern surrounding maternal obesity rates.
Dr. Richmond's interview with The Observer has been met with much support from those in the field of obstetrics, with Cathy Warwick, the chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, asserting: "David Richmond is right. We are worried about too many first-time mothers having caesareans and agree we need to tackle this."
Explaining that caesareans require more resources than a natural birth, including operating theatres and surgical teams, Cathy continued: "If we do stop first-time mothers having caesareans, we will certainly reduce the number of second caesareans. That would be a positive way forward for both mothers and babies, and for the NHS."
Seeking to address an issue which can compel women to undergo a caesarean, Cathy asserted: "We need to reduce the fear that some women have around childbirth. They are fearful of the pain and the process of pushing their baby out."
"That fear causes hormonal processes in the body that make it harder to deliver the baby and less likely that they end up having a normal birth," she explained.
Speaking out about the matter, the National Childbirth Trust's senior policy adviser, Elizabeth Duff, reminded the public that if there exist no medical complications, a straightforward birth is preferable, asserting: "[It] is safer for the mother and baby, promoting wellbeing and reducing risks in future pregnancies."
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