The troubled teenager’s capacity to make decisions ‘fluctuated’, a judge was told (Picture: PA)
A 16-year-old girl with mental health problems has given birth after a judge ruled she could be given a caesarean section without her consent.
The teenager, who lives in council care in Greater Manchester, had developed post-traumatic stress disorder and an anxiety disorder after a ‘history of sexual exploitation’, a hearing was told.
Specialists said efforts to induce her had failed because of her difficulties and that a C-section was the only ‘realistic’ option.
But the girl insisted on wanting to deliver the baby naturally while ‘awake and aware’.
On the request of the her hospital in Wigan, the case was brought before a court for people who lack mental capacity to make decisions for themselves.
The Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust told the court there was now a ‘significant risk of still birth’.
The youngster had also repeateadly changed her mind on giving birth in recent times, it added.
Evidence indicated her capacity to make decisions ‘fluctuated’. the court was told.
A barrister representing the girl said she still had a ‘strong wish’ to give birth with ‘the least intervention’ possible.
Mr Justice Cobb ruled that doctors should make one last attempt to induce her but that performing a caesarean section against her wishes would be lawful if necessary.
The judge banned reporting on the case until the baby had been bortn after concerns were raised that she might recognise her case and behave in a way which would put her and the baby at risk.
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A judge ruled doctors can perform the procedure after hearing how the girl’s mental health problems put her child ‘at risk of stillbirth’.
