Once considered purely a medical procedure to prevent the death of women and newborns in childbirth, caesarean sections have become increasingly widespread - and controversial.
The World Health Organization says that while caesarians do save lives, they expose women and babies to unnecessary risk if not essential.
Figures published last year show that, across Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries, caesarean rates have risen steadily since 2000, from an average of 20% of live births performed by caesarean to 28% in 2015. Reasons for the rise include women having their first child later, and more multiple births as a result of fertility treatment. There is also evidence that in some cases medical staff are performing C-sections to speed up labour, and women are electing to have the procedure. This has fuelled heated debate about a woman’s right to control her experience of childbirth.