Caesarean birth may double morbidity and mortality risk

A new study invovling 97,307 deliveries of babies during the three-month study period in some randomly selected countries has found that women who deliver through non-emergency caesarean birth have double the risk of morbidity and mortality for themselves and the babies as compared to those who go for a vaginal birth.

However, researchers found caesarean delivery prevented foetal deaths in breech born babies.

Source: "Maternal and neonatal individual risks and benefits associated with caesarean delivery: multicentre prospective study" BMJ Online First, doi:10.1136/bmj.39363.706956.55 (published 30 October 2007)