Disparities found in maternity units’ birthing practices

DRAMATIC differences in birthing procedures at maternity units around the country have been revealed by statistics from the Irish Childcare Trust.

From information released by 21 units nationwide, the trust showed how options like epidurals can vary from 11% of all births in Letterkenny to 64% of all births in the Rotunda hospital.

It found one-third of mothers attending Mount Carmel private hospital in Dublin underwent a caesarean section where they were also the most likely to begin breast-feeding in the ward.