Caesarean birth rise echoes pattern abroad

The number of women having caesarean section births in hospitals has continued to rise, says a Health Ministry maternity services report released yesterday.

In 2001, 22.1 per cent of hospital births were by caesarean. That compared with 20.8 per cent in 2000 and 20.4 per cent in 1999.

The trend echoes rates in Britain, Australia and the United States, says the ministry's principal medical adviser, Dr Rob Buist.

He said the first two guidelines for clinicians by a ministry-funded group - on breech birth and birth after caesarean section - would be released shortly.

The report did not include reasons for caesareans but he believed the increasing rate was due to the perceived safety of the operation.

"Caesareans are associated with greater short-term risks than vaginal birth - infection, bleeding and clots," he said.

"A caesarean section that has been pre-arranged is safer for mothers than an emergency caesarean, although there is a small risk of breathing difficulty for babies."

The College of Midwives is disappointed with the continuing trend.

"Although 70 per cent of women in New Zealand experienced a normal vaginal birth [in 2001], the rates of induction, epidurals and caesarean section continue to rise," said spokeswoman Norma Campbell.

"These interventions carry significant risk for mothers and babies and are an alarming trend given that birth is a healthy life event."

The Health Ministry report also showed a falling rate of hospital stillbirths and deaths in babies' first week.

In 2001, for every 1000 live births, nine babies died, compared with 10.2 babies in 2000 and 10.7 babies in 1999.

- NZPA