One in every three births in Ireland is by Caesarean section. In the case of first time mothers, that figure rises to 41%. These are some of the highest rates in the EU and OECD. It’s prompted concerns that some people may be unnecessarily undergoing the abdominal surgery; perhaps even suiting the hospital and the health system above themselves. But because there has historically been much handwringing about how women give birth – from church-led interference to the offensive ‘too posh to push’ label - it can be hard to ascertain what rate is appropriate. What are the factors influencing our high numbers? How much does fear of litigation play a part? And why is the Scandinavian rate so low by comparison? Dr. Deirdre Daly, professor of midwifery at Trinity College Dublin, outlines how Ireland came to have such a high number of Caesarean births, the obstacles to reducing the rate, and why we have a way to go before we truly have a woman-centred system.

Further information about TCD's MAMMI study is available here

Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Aideen Finnegan

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