C-sections and inductions on the up

There's good evidence that delivering at 39 weeks' reduces stillbirths and pre-eclampsia, says Professor Vijay Roach
Jocelyn Wright
Professor Vijay Roach
Adjunct Professor Vijay Roach, chair of the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges.

Both women and doctors are becoming more risk-averse to spon­taneous vaginal births, leading to rising rates of labour induction and planned caesarean delivery, a leading obstetrician says.

New figures from the AIHW show that in 2017 some 45% of low-risk women giving birth for the first time in the public system were induced.