Private patients are more likely to have a C-section

WOMEN with private health insurance are more likely to have a Caesarean section than public patients.

The figures compiled by the Economic and Social Research Institute add to the perception some women dubbed “too posh to push” are opting for a C-section over a natural delivery.

The Activity in Acute Public Hospitals in Ireland 2010 annual report showed that one in four babies are delivered by C-section, or 26.4% of all births. This compares to a C-section rate of just 11% 20 years ago.