Caesarean "targets"

[snowtinker]

Should there be a limit on C-sections? The WHO has dropped its recommendations

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/10448034.stm

I read this too and was pleased to see it. I don't think the attitudes will change too much - IMO they really won't give you a section unless there is a medical reason for it so why should they be pushed to reduce it on the basis of spurious evidence?

Just means that hospitals won't get slammed for doing 'too many' sections. As someone who owes her DS's life to a section I may be a little biased but am very glad for them....

There was a brilliant article on this in yesterday's Times but I don't know how to do a link!

I came across this a little while ago - skepticalob.blogspot.com/2009/07/whats-safest-c-section-rate-higher-than.html

The blogger won't be to everyone's tastes, but it's the only piece of critical analysis I've seen of the WHO's much quoted CS target of 10-15%.

It's interesting that they say now there is 'no empirical evidence' for such a limit.

I also found out today that (a) the WHO recommended 'target' of 10-15% was actually issued in 1985, which is a lot longer ago than I had imagined. And (b) it seems the WHO retracted this recommendation last year! - www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169058.php

In which case it seems remarkably under-reported.

I applaud this. I had a difficult induced birth ending in rotational forceps (Keillands) delivery. I had on my birthplan that I wanted the right to refuse instruments and go straight to a section. They persuaded me it was the best option. DD was born well but hugely bruised. She is permanently scarred from a cut on her face and has one eye which is obviously (to me) larger than the other.

I might not have given the forceps decision another thought had I not been present when the research midwife dealing with me met the consultant who delivered me at the end of my bed. After he'd told her (not me!) the reason for my type of delivery (DD in transverse arrest) she responded with a compliment for the consultant adding, "he helps to keep our CS rates down!".

Great. I'm really glad me and DD helped with the statistics