Childbirth: Why are some NHS trusts still promoting natural birth after 'damning' report?

The National Health Service has come under fire after some trusts appear to be promoting ‘natural births’, days after the release of a report on Britain’s worst maternity scandal. The Ockenden report condemned the practice of health practitioners privileging ‘natural births’ over C-section even when the latter was safer for both mother and baby.

'Are you a champion of normality?'

The backlash stems from recent job posts by some NHS trusts, asking that candidates for midwifery positions, be advocates of ‘natural birth’. One such advertisement for a role at Torbay and South Devon, stated:

We are proud of our commitment to normal birth and offering women choice in where to birth their baby.

This job posting has since been deleted after campaigners expressed disgust and shock at the blatant promotion of this birth option.

The Ockenden report found that more than 200 babies and nine mothers lost their lives as a result of multiple failings at the trust.

The Telegraph quotes an NHS spokesperson as saying:

We have been made aware of concerns regarding a number of job adverts and we will be contacting the relevant trusts to remind them of the importance of ensuring language is consistent with our aim that all women have the necessary information and support to make informed, personalized and safe decisions about their care.

C-section vs ‘natural birth’

Sometimes when labour isn’t progressing, or when the baby or babies are in an abnormal position, a caesarean section is recommended as a safer alternative to vaginal birth.

It can be scheduled before the due date or could be recommended as an emergency procedure. Some women also request this option to avoid labour or the complications of vaginal birth. Others might want to take advantage of the convenience that comes with a planned delivery.

However, women whose first childbirth was through this process, may have to go through it again for subsequent pregnancies. Multiple C-sections may cause complications that could result in the removal of the uterus.

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