The rates of C-sections and inductions are increasing for first-time mums.
New data published by Bump2Babe: The Consumer Guide to Maternity Services in Ireland and the Irish Childbirth Trust, Cuidiú, showed that more caesarean sections are being performed since 2011 across the country.
The number of labours being induced has also risen since that time.
The data, which can be found here, shows that the rates of C-sections and inductions for first-time mums varies considerably from unit to unit.
In 2017, 44.5 percent of first-time mums had a C-section in St Luke’s General Hospital, Kilkenny
40.9 percent had a Caesarean birth in Cavan General Hospital, and 41 percent had one in Mayo University hospital
Contrasting this, 29.1 percent of first-time mothers had a Caesarean in Wexford General Hospital.
Almost half of first-time mums had an induced birth in Cork University Hospital in 2017, with 44 percent having an induced labour in Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar.
The lowest rate for induced labour for first-time mums was in St Luke’s General Hospital Kilkenny and the lowest rate for C-sections was in Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.
The World Health Organisation recommends that the ‘ideal’ rate for C-sections for first-time mums is between 10 and 15 percent.
