Caesarean births - Disturbing statistics

EXPECTANT mothers have a right to be disturbed over the wide variations in the rate of Caesarean sections, induced births and other surgical procedures in maternity units.

On average, almost one in three first-time mothers undergo a Caesarean section. Even more surprising is the variation between the country’s 22 maternity units where some 74,000 babies a year are born.

The worrying lack of standardisation is graphically illustrated in the consumer guide to maternity services launched yesterday by the Irish Childbirth Trust.