New rules give women the choice to have a Caesarean

By Nomia Iqbal
Newsbeat reporter

Women who are worried about giving birth should be allowed to have a Caesarean, say new NHS guidelines.

The updated advice for doctors and midwives in England and Wales has been issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Surgery is usually only carried out if there is a medical reason but NICE wants women to have a choice.

It says new evidence and changes in clinical practices means it is necessary to update regulations.

Malcolm Griffiths is an obstetrician at Luton Dunstable Hospital.

"In the event a woman wants a Caesarean section, she should be offered as much support and advice as possible about it," he said.

"There are a lot of women who have real anxiety about giving birth naturally, sometimes to the point where they want an abortion and that needs to be recognised."

'Major operation'

The birth rate in England and Wales was 723,165 in 2010 and about a quarter of all births are by C-section.

Malcolm Griffiths says although requesting an operation will be straightforward, getting surgery won't always be easy.

"You misunderstand if you think a C-section is an easy choice," he said.

"I think raising a child, paying for a child is the hardest thing you'll ever do as a mum.

"A lot of pregnant teenagers and women in their early 20s won't necessarily want to start motherhood with a major operation. That is what a caesarean is."

He also denies this will encourage women to request a Caesarean because they were "too posh to push".

"I've never seen any girl come in and say that to me," he said.

Second Caesarean

There will be a cost to the NHS.

It's about £1,000 more to have a C-section than a natural birth.

The added cost is due to paying an anaesthetist, surgery time, the extra drugs and all the care you will receive in hospital after your operation.

Malcolm Griffiths says these guidelines also recommend that women who have gone for C-sections in the past should not need to opt for it again.

That includes women who are HIV positive.

"There is a myth about Caesareans but we've found that the risks are not any worse if some women gave birth naturally for their next child," he said.

The guidelines will also be considered in Northern Ireland but the health minister wants the operations to happen for medical reasons alone.

Your view on Caesareans

Danielle Hughes, 18 (left)

"I had two Caesareans. Both were an emergency. I wanted a natural birth but in the end it's what's best for the baby. I don't think I'd feel comfortable with a natural delivery next time."

Nicole Hughes, 18 (right)

"Sometimes you can get really stressed out when giving birth because you're scared about the effect on your body. So it's actually good for the baby if you have the option of a C-section."

Kaley Squelch, 26 (left)

"I had to have an emergency C-section first time round. I was so scared to have a natural birth I had to beg my hospital for surgery again. You shouldn't have to do that so it's good every woman is getting the right."

Kelly Hewson, 27 (right)

"I wanted a Caesarean when I found out what the pain was like from my friends but they said no. If you can get one to avoid that, then that's great because it's excruciating. C-section still leaves you with scars but I'm glad you can get an option."

Joane Dixon, 24

"I'm due to give birth. I've not thought about it.

"It's good to have an option because some girls are too scared to push but I think I'd like to experience what it's like."