Plans are underway to give all women the right to choose a caesarean section birth on the NHS.
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently drafting guidelines that will allow women to choose the medical procedure, even if they are able to give birth naturally.
At present, about a quarter of all babies in the UK are delivered by C-section, with women only put forward for the procedure if there is a high risk in natural childbirth.
These guidelines, due to be published next month, are expected to outline how women should be given the choice of a C-section since the surgical option has become so safe.
However, there are concerns that the new ruling could put a further strain on the NHS, with the procedure costing around £800 more than a natural birth.
Women interested in a C-section will be advised to discuss the option with their doctors and midwives.
