Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of caesarean sections on long-term health, including links to bowel and gastrointestinal conditions.

Bowel or gastrointestinal long-term conditions are not recognised consequences of caesarean section unless there have been additional complications at the time of surgery such as bowel injury. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists are responsible for the guidance used by healthcare professionals to support discussions with women about planned caesarean sections so that they are tailored to women’s own needs.

As with most other forms of surgery there is no specific routine, long-term follow up post caesarean section. However, all women are offered a six to eight week postnatal check up with their general practitioner that will a take holistic view of their physical and mental health. Women should be supported to return to good physical health following childbirth and pregnancy, with ongoing management for conditions that existed before or which arose during pregnancy.