" The reasons are likely to be multifactorial and reflect a complex social process affected by clinical status, obstetric practice and training, family and social pressures, the legal system, availability of technology, women's requests and women's role models, such as celebrity elective caesarean delivery," Dr Pennell said.
"The degree to which maternal request accounts for the increase in caesarean sections isn't known, but similar studies in the UK have shown that maternal request is now the fifth most common reason for performing a caesarean section."
Dr Pennell said that despite improvements in surgical and anaesthetic techniques, a number of studies show that caesarean sections are still associated with an increased risk of maternal and infant death and health complications.
"These data illustrate how a medical intervention that is effective when applied to an appropriately selected case can have significant adverse effects when applied to a low risk population.
"Caesareans are not without risk for mothers or babies, and should be based on solid medical reasons to ensure the best outcome."
In the most recent five year period, spontaneous vaginal births had dropped by 5 per cent, while forceps and vacuum assisted deliveries were down by 15 per cent.
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Contact: Tammy Gibbs
tammy@ichr.uwa.edu.au
61-894-897-963
Research Australia
15-May-2007