Caesareans on the rise--a cause for concern?

The number of caesarean sections performed in the UK has increased nearly threefold since 1973. Improvements in the safety of the procedure and in neonatal intensive care may account for this increase. Caesareans are being performed increasingly for breech presentations. Fear of litigation has been cited as a reason for the increase. Midwives should be working with the pregnant woman long before the question of a caesarean arises.