electivecesarean.com

Controversial guidance contained in a new document published by the Royal College of Obstetricians (RCOG) could result in worse health outcomes for mothers and babies, and greater costs for the NHS, say maternity campaigners and doctors.

Evidence exists that planned cesarean birth avoids the pelvic floor trauma associated with vaginal delivery. As a new study warns of increasing rates of pelvic floor disorders, women should be informed of this during antenatal risk-benefit analysis.

The World Health Organization has finally updated its 1985 recommendation on caesarean rates, admitting that "no empirical evidence for an optimum percentage" exists, an "optimum rate is unknown," and world regions may now "set their own standards."