The Royal College of Midwives has warned that caesarean section rates remain worryingly high, and midwife numbers are still failing to keep up with the rising birthrate.

Commenting on new figures from the NHS Information Centre, general secretary designate Cathy Warwick said: "Choice should be at the heart of care for women, including choice about how their baby is delivered, and that choice should never be denied to them.

"However, those choices should be based on sound information, and women should be aware that a caesarean section is a major surgical procedure."

For more details, go to www.rcm.org.uk