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1st August 2005 Fewer women have further children after caesareans A new study has found that women who have babies by Caesarean section are less likely to have another pregnancy. The study, published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, was carried out on 25,371 women who attended Aberdeen Maternity Hospital between 1980 and 1997. The results showed that of the women who underwent a caesarean section 66.9 per cent went on to have another baby compared with 73.9 per cent who gave birth completely naturally. The RCOG has urged doctors to consider the impact of the procedure as rising rates of caesareans in the UK have caused experts to recommend more action to boost the number of women giving birth naturally, with less risk of complications and a quicker recovery. The study also found that mothers who delivered by caesarean were more likely to suffer complications and also left longer between pregnancies than other types of delivery. The study found the results were the same regardless of whether women underwent an emergency caesarean or if the procedure was planned. Lead researcher Jill Mollison said, "This study highlights an association between mode of delivery and subsequent pregnancy. "This is an important finding against the background of rising Caesarean section rates. "Future studies should focus on exploring whether failure to conceive is due to voluntary or involuntary factors and compare this across different modes of delivery." Peter Bowen-Simpkins, from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said, "Those involved in the delivery of obstetric care should be aware of the association and consider its implications when making a decision to perform a Caesarean section." The study also found a greater risk of ectopic pregnancy following a caesarean section with 9.5 cases per 1,000 compared to 5.7 cases per 1,000 in a spontaneous birth. Where to next?
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