Its actually a really difficult one this. On the one hand, you think she should have done what the doctors said when they told her that the baby might die otherwise. But then all through pregnancy, you are told about the really high caesarian rates in the UK and US, and that about 50% of them are unnecessary. And you know all about how some consultants are too ready to use interventions and ignore the mothers (and midwifes) opinions. So when the doctor tells you it is necessary in this case, how are you to know whether it is really necessary, or whether your doctor is one of the ones who is too scalpel happy? You are not in the best states of mind when you are in labour and it is hard enough to assert yourself and have the type of birth you want without this sort of confusion running through your head. Its a sad tragedy, but I would be wary of criminalising someone who has probably suffered enough through the death of her child. Of course this is speaking fairly generally without knowing the full facts of this case.

Bagpuss