Caesarean stillbirth risk highlighted

Some pregnant women are afraid of giving birth

The risk of stillbirth in a second pregnancy could double for women who have already had a caesarean section, a study has found.

But the research, published in the Lancet, found that the risk still remains very low - at just one in 1,100.

The Cambridge University study was led by Professor Gordon Smith and used data from more than 100,000 women who had given birth in Scotland.

The scientists involved in the research say that in future, expectant mothers should be advised of the risks before a caesarean section is carried out.

About 600,000 babies are born in the UK each year, and it is estimated that almost one in four births are caesarean sections.

The figure is well above the 10% rate recommended by the World Health Organization.

Researchers have previously discovered that babies born by caesarean are more likely to experience breathing difficulties and need specialist neonatal care.