Judge gives doctors go-ahead to carry out c-section on mentally ill mother-to-be

A judge has given doctors permission to perform a caesarean section on a 21-year-old expectant mother detained under the terms of mental health legislation.

The woman, who was suffering from a drug-related psychosis, wanted to have her baby as naturally as possible and had complained of some obstetricians being “cut happy”, Mr Justice Hayden was told.

But he ruled that a caesarean section could be performed if specialists thought it necessary for the safety of mother and baby.

He made the ruling late on Wednesday after analysing evidence at a hearing in the Court of Protection – where issues relating to sick and vulnerable people are considered – in London.

The judge ruled that the woman could not be identified.

He said bosses at two health trusts – the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust – had responsibility for the woman’s care and had asked for rulings on what treatment would be in her best interests.