'Too posh to push' has become a familiar term coined by the media to describe the growing number of women in the UK who want to circumvent the unpredictability of vaginal childbirth and opt for surgery instead.
In the past two decades the rate of women having caesarean deliveries has doubled. It currently stands at around one in five deliveries. According to NHS statistics, there was no significant change in the caesarean rate from 2007 to 2008 and 2008 to 2009, at 24.6 per cent for both years (154,814 caesareans in 2008-09 and 153,406 in 2007 - 08).
Last year the World Health Organisation updated its recommendations on caesarean rates, stating that 'no empirical evidence for an optimum percentage exists' and that 'world regions may set their own standards'. This is despite previously recommending that the rate should not exceed 10 to 15 per cent.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here