Professor rejects idea that women who have C-sections are 'too posh to push'

A prominent medic has rejected the idea that women who have C-section births are simply "too posh to push".

Professor Sam Coulter Smith was speaking as Ireland's rising C-section rate comes under the spotlight at a conference in Dublin today.

There has been a four-fold jump in the number of procedures since the early 1980's.

Professor Coulter Smith, who is a former master of Dublin's Rotunda Hospital, says there are a range of factors behind the trend, and the "too posh" argument does not stand up.

Prof. Smith said: "I think that's a dreadful thing to say about women, I wouldn't be associated with that remark in any way.

"It's not a good road to go down, I think women are far too sensible and pragmatic to think in that way."