There are reports that this ‘hugely expensive move’ will lead to further financial turmoil for an already cash-strapped NHS.
However, despite the allegations and rumours, there are no plans on the table to offer caesarian sections to all mothers-to-be.
The claims relate to draft guidelines set to be released by
NICE in December.
These currently include the recommendation that women who have anxiety about birth be referred to health professionals with ‘expertise in perinatal mental health support’.
They say ‘if after proper counselling’ a vaginal birth is still not acceptable, the option of caesarean section ‘should still be possible’.
But there is no proposal in the document – which is still subject to change – saying women will be given the right to the procedure.
Cathy Warwick, RCM chief executive, stressed that the NICE guidelines are in draft form and that the RCM is involved in their development.
‘The RCM notes that much of the recent reporting on the draft guidelines is inaccurate,’ she said.
‘The guidelines emphasis that women asking for an elective caesarean section should be given support and information and possibly referred for expert counselling.
‘The RCM believes that the draft guidelines reflect the practice that is currently in place in most maternity units.
‘If a woman, for whatever reason, feels she is psychologically unable to face the prospect of a normal delivery then the RCM does not believe clinicians are currently denying her that option.
‘Many of the women who ask for an elective caesarean have previously had a traumatic or difficult birth.’
She added that in cases where women ask for a caesarean section for ‘purely social convenience’ the RCM does not think the procedure is appropriate.
RCOG also released a statement saying the claims that caesarean sections will be offered to all women are ‘misleading and inaccurate’.
It continued: ‘There is no proposal in the current NICE guidelines which state that women should have the automatic right to a caesarean section.’
