Mothers-to-be should only give birth by caesarean when strictly necessary, according to a new study. Figures suggest caesareans carried out during labour without pressing medical reasons were 14 times more risky than a normal birth. Data from the World Health Organisation's global maternal survey - published in the Lancet medical journal - found pregnant women who had C-sections were more likely to die in childbirth or suffer serious complications, such as needing intensive care treatment, blood transfusion or hysterectomy. Daily Telegraph, January 12, 2010