Bernard Allen
Question:171 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the high number of births by caesarean section among women over 30 years of age. [17366/01]
Written Answers. - Maternity Services.
I am aware that there are variations in the rate of caesarean section among different maternity units. My Department's chief medical officer sought the views of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the matter.
The institute has advised that an increase and variation in caesarean section rates is also evident in many European countries. Reasons for the increase include the widespread use of electronic monitoring of the foetal heart and earlier intervention for deviations of the foetal heart from the normal pattern. Other reasons include more women with previous caesarean section and induction of labour in the primigravidia.
The institute has recommended that maternity hospitals carry out a prospective audit of delivery by caesarean section. The masters of the maternity hospitals have also been asked to agree on an identical audit of caesarean sections.