41% of new mothers given C-section in Irish hospitals

Doula and AIMS chairwoman Krysia Lynch. A C-section is generally a safe procedure but it is major surgery with has a long recovery time and the potential for infection and other complications. Picture: Moya Nolan

The rate of cesarean sections in Irish maternity hospitals has jumped to 41% among first-time mothers — double the rate of most other European countries.

Only Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus currently have higher rates of C-sections, an analysis of Eurostat data shows.