More Respect for a Women's Right to a Planned Cesarean in the U. K.

Calgary, Alberta, Canada, November 25, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has released new cesarean guidelines as an important step in respecting maternal autonomy. Birth Trauma Canada has advocated for the recognition of planned cesareans as a legitimate birth option for childbearing women for many years. Planned cesareans have long been subjected to irrational denigration based on poor quality research and ideologically biased discrimination. November 23, 2011 marks the first day where women in the U.K. have the recognized right to avoid the common and substantial risks of planned vaginal deliveries by opting for a planned cesarean if they choose to use the National Health Service (NHS), which is the public health system in the U. K. The right to a planned cesarean has long been a reality in many private health care facilities throughout the U. K. and the new guidelines are expected to bring the National Health Service (NHS) more in line with private facilities in the U. K. and U. S. as well as other countries around the world who have long adopted similar guidelines. Canada is not among those countries, but this landmark decision by NICE will hopefully act as an impetus to similarly respect maternal autonomy and the human rights of birthing women in this country.

http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/13620/57162/57162.pdf
http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/13620/57168/57168.pdf

Birth Trauma Canada
North Hill Box 65136
Calgary, AB T2N 4T6
www.birthtraumacanada.org
contact: Penny Christensen
Phone: 1-403-921-0840
pjchris@telus.net

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