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Bupa studies caesarean births
18 June 2003
A nationwide study to increase understanding of when a caesarean birth is medically necessary is being made by Bupa and consultant obstetricians.
It is being carried out among women in the UK who have Bupa health insurance and opt for a caesarean. Bupa spends more than £2 million a year funding caesarean births for around 725 of its insured members. It will pay for caesarean sections provided they are medically necessary
A report, published today, by the House of Commons Health Committee, calls for caesareans to be carried out on the NHS only if they are medically or psychologically necessary.
Dr Natalie-Jane Macdonald, one of Bupa's medical directors said: "We are concerned that some women may potentially be putting themselves at risk by opting for surgery for inappropriate reasons. There has been speculation about an increase in the number of caesareans for convenience, despite the higher risk of associated complications including hysterectomy and post-natal depression.
"We want to ensure that our customers receive the most appropriate medical care. It is important that women don't have caesarean sections simply for choice. There are circumstances when it is difficult to say whether it is needed for medical reasons or lifestyle choice. That's why we are working with consultants to look at the issue. They will share with us the reasons for caesareans when treating Bupa members," said Dr Macdonald.
An increase in the number of caesareans means that more than one in five births in England and Scotland and almost one in four in Wales and Northern Ireland are delivered by this method. Thirty years ago, only three percent of babies in the UK were born by this method.
Caesarean factfile:
- A Caesarean may be necessary, for example, when the placenta lies so low in the uterus that it covers the exit to the cervix - the birth canal - or the baby's health is threatened due to lack of oxygen.
- The operation involves making an incision of about 20cm across the lower abdomen to open the womb and deliver the baby. Dissolving stitches or staples are then used to close the skin.
- Usually the woman can be given an epidural and stay awake during the birth. If there is a danger to her or the baby, she may have a general anaesthetic.
- Women who have caesarean sections are generally able to leave hospital four or five days after surgery.
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