"A big abdominal surgery is not something you can decide for yourself"

Caesarean section is becoming more common, although vaginal delivery is considered to be better for both the mother and the child. At the same time, women who want to have a caesarean section are denied it. Recently, the network "The right to choose Caesarean section" published a call demanding that the woman must be the last word. Almost three hundred women are behind the call.

"It's an obvious right," says Sandra Centerwall, one of the signatories.

Erik Hildebrand is the head of the delivery at the University Hospital in Linköping Hospital. He makes decisions on this issue on a daily basis.

- Caesarean section itself is a good method. It's something we sometimes need to do. But when it is not needed, then it can even be dangerous instead, he says.

Sweden is one of the safest places in the world to give birth to children. Despite this, it is becoming increasingly common for Erik Hildebrand to meet women who are worried about giving birth to children.

- We put a lot of work into support activities during and after pregnancy. Most become safe and dare to give birth and feel stronger after that.

That the woman herself should have the absolute right to a planned cesarean section, thinks chief physician Erik Hildebrand is excluded.

- Caesarean section is a major abdominal operation, you can't decide on yourself. There are risks for both mother and child. It is not so easy for ordinary people to know about surgery and how it affects one's body.

He emphasizes consensus and sees it as a failure if a woman, despite all efforts, feels compelled to do something, even though he thinks it is unusual.