Health fears as C-sections jump by 81%

THE number of women having Caesarean sections in Ireland has increased by a staggering 81% since 1991, leading midwives to claim that many mothers are enduring risky surgery when it is not medically necessary.

According to the National Perinatal Statistics report compiled by the Economic and Social Research Institute, of 58,261 births in 2001 22% were by Caesarean an 80.8% jump since 1992, when just 12% of women gave birth by this method.

Consultant obstetricians say the fear of litigation and the fact that women no longer have "the tolerance" for a natural birth are the main reasons behind the massive hike.