Re: Should women be able to request a caesarean section? Yes
Caesarean sections are comparatively safe but nevertheless, these are major surgeries. There are intrinsic risks involved due to surgery and anaesthesia in these type of deliveries. When NICE guidelines follow a restrictive use of episiotomy in spontaneous vaginal deliveries then why should it liberalize major surgeries like caesarean sections. Caesarean section has both short term (Infection, heavy blood loss, thromboembolism, Nausea, vomiting, and severe headache after the delivery (related to anesthesia and the abdominal procedure), ileus) and long term consequences (Placenta accreta and repeat caesarean). Decision of performing a Caesarean section should be a doctor’s mandate rather than of expecting mother. Even if a doctor wants to comply with Woman’s choice of caesarean delivery, he or she should counsel her about the pros and cons of caesarean delivery as we do in case of contraception.
Competing interests: No competing interests