Reality television personality and political activist Sharon Gaffka has publicly shared her reasons for choosing an elective caesarean, sparking a wider conversation about patient autonomy and the state of maternity services in the UK. Gaffka, who is approaching her due date, stated her decision was driven by a desire for control and calm, particularly in light of ongoing concerns regarding NHS maternity care.
Her personal choice comes as recent NHS statistics for 2024-25 indicate a significant shift in birthing trends, with caesarean sections, both planned and unplanned, now outnumbering vaginal births in England for the first time. This demographic change has prompted discussions among healthcare professionals and expectant parents about the factors influencing birthing decisions.
Gaffka highlighted several reports that have brought the quality of UK maternity services under scrutiny. She referenced the Donna Ockenden report on Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, which revealed patterns of poor communication, a loss of autonomy for women, and their exclusion from decisions about their own care. Similarly, Valerie Amos's review of maternity services across England this week criticised the sector for not adapting to the increasing number of older mothers and the rise in caesarean sections.
Further concerns were raised by a report this year from the charity Birthrights, which found that many women feel pressured into medical procedures, including caesareans, and are often denied 'genuine informed choice' regarding their birthing options. Gaffka, a British-Asian woman, also noted the disproportionately worse outcomes in pregnancy and childbirth for Black and Asian women, a statistic that became profoundly personal during her own pregnancy.
Despite largely positive personal care, Gaffka admitted that knowing her own maternity trust was part of a national investigation added to her anxieties. She expressed that the unpredictable nature of pregnancy and birth led her to seek an area where she could exercise choice, concluding that for her, an elective caesarean offered the greatest sense of control and reassurance amidst these broader systemic issues.