Comparison of breastfeeding rates in Scotland in 1990-1 and 1997-8.

especially in the case of deliveries without fetal distress, although we found a similar trend with assisted vaginal vertex deliveries for fetal distress. The anxiety for the patient generated by the decision for caesarean section may provoke increased maternal catecholamine release that initially causes reduced perfusion of the placental bed and gas exchange, with temporary fetal acidosis. Cord pH values may not be a reliable assessment of fetal or neonatal wellbeing nor a good predictor of long term neurological outcome but we question the benefit and wisdom of aiming to achieve delivery in all cases within 30 minutes.