Changes to clinical guidance mean women can now undergo a Caesarean section on demand. Footballer's wife and mum-of-three Leanne Brown – married to former Manchester United and England defender Wes Brown – tells Sarah Dunn why she thinks that's a bad idea.

Leanne Brown's experiences in the labour room for the births of her first two children were completely different to the arrival of baby number three. From a scene dominated by pain and panic, to a dimly-lit bedroom where candles burned, relaxing music played and voices were never raised.

When Leanne was in labour with second daughter Lilia, now four, she bit down on the gas and air tubes to get her through 12 hours at Macclesfield Hospital.

The birth of first child Halle, nine, at Stepping Hill hospital was also far from easy as she went through a host of different pain relief drugs over the course of 36 hours.

In contrast the birth of her and husband Wes's third child Lola, nine months ago in the bedroom of their Prestbury home, was a relative walk in the park.

This time there was a birthing pool and she was armed with a series of relaxation techniques.

“It was beautiful,” she says.

“If someone had told me the birth of my third child could be like that, I wouldn't have believed them.”

Leanne enjoyed such a positive experience she is keen to spread the word to other mums-to-be about opting for natural childbirth. She has been spurred into action following last month's publication of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's updated guidance allowing elective caesareans.

Previously, women were put forward for C-sections only when a medical condition or concern necessitated it, while emergency procedures came into play when complications arose during labour.

Now, the guidelines say women can ask for a C-section if they want one.

It is also stipulated that a discussion should follow about the risks and benefits of both Caesareans and natural births, and a referral to a mental health support worker should be made to address yhe anxiety a pregnant woman will probably be feeling about childbirth.

If after this, a woman still elects for a C-section, she should be given it. And if her obstetrician is unwilling to perform it, the guidelines say she should be referred to someone who is.

Leanne says she was 'horrified' to hear of the changes.

The 35-year-old believes the focus should instead be on educating women about natural childbirth and equipping them with the techniques to turn labour from a negative to a positive experience.

“I had to re-educate myself,” she says.

“Through the programme you learn all about the history of childbirth, how our bodies are designed to have babies, and how everything has got mixed up over time.

“All the talk in parenting classes is about pain and pain relief, so you're bound to get frightened. But when you're scared, your body tenses up, making it worse. You have to change the way you think.”

Leanne admits Wes, 32, was sceptical about the hypnobirthing course – which involved practical sessions to learn the relaxation techniques backed up with a book and CD.

The hypnobirthing programme called The Mongan Method is named after American former college dean turned hypnotherapist Marie Mongan.

But when they began their programme with childbirth educator Katy Redford-Traynor - who runs £200 five-week courses through Stepping Hill and Tameside Hospitals as well as privately at home - they immediately took to it.

Leanne explains: “Even I was sceptical when I saw clips of women having these amazing births at the first session – I just thought I'm never going to be able to do that! But Katy told me it would be amazing – and she was right.”

Leanne's labour with Lola lasted eight hours - the shortest she's had so far and her third child was her biggest baby at 8lbs 2oz. Despite this, the experience was so good Leanne is now looking forward to another pregnancy.

“There wasn't any pain, only pressure – because I was relaxed, I was breathing through it.

“Now I'm actually looking forward to labour again, because I enjoyed the experience – each surge was bringing my baby closer to me and I was so excited about meeting her.”

It is the potential and tools for a 'beautiful birth' like this that Leanne thinks should be promoted, rather than Caesarean sections.

Although she accepts there are situations which necessitate such action, she is worried the new regulations could see more women opt to go under the knife because they think it is the 'easy option'.

“The reality is far from easy,” she says.

“A C-section is major surgery – it means you can't enjoy your baby afterwards, you've always got to rely on other people. After a natural labour, you can be up and about straight away.”

Katy shares Leanne's concerns.

She is all for women making their own 'informed decisions' on how to give birth – the reason behind NICE's change to the guidelines – but is worried not enough will be done to help them work through their fears.

“The problem is we don't really know what this 'conversation' they're supposed to have is, what are the criteria? A quick chat with them about the risks and benefits does not give them the full picture.”

Both women would rather see money invested in effective education than spent on more C-sections.

“I think every woman should be offered choice,” Katy says.

“But it has to be an informed choice, and by informed I mean really good childbirth education like the classes I and many other people around the country offer.

“We need to be making women confident and empowering them so they look forward to that exciting day they meet their baby.”

Leanne believes such education can help mothers and babies during pregnancy and labour and beyond.

“Lola has been an absolute dream,” she says.

“I'm sure that has something to do with how she came into the world.”

Although she laughs as she confesses she 'hates' the term footballer's wife, Leanne hopes her experiences might encourage women to think twice about asking for a C-section – particularly as celebrities and WAGs are thoguht of as being 'too posh to push'.

“I'm hoping they might think, 'if she can do it, then I can too'”.

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