C-sections hike risk of stillbirth, finds study

Women who choose to have a baby by caesarean section must be informed they are putting themselves at greater risk of having a stillbirth or ectopic pregnancy in the future.

Dr Sinéad O’Neill, of the National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre in University College Cork’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said the results, which have been published in the journal PLOS Medicine, should provide information to parents of the benefits and risks of C-section and all modes of delivery.

“While the hazard rate of stillbirth and ectopic pregnancy is small, it will also highlight the fact that there is a small increased risk and therefore women ‘electing’ caesarean section without any medical necessity should consider all options thoroughly,” Dr O’Neill said.