New figures published today show huge variations in the C section rates at Ireland's 19 public maternity units.

St Luke's in Kilkenny has the highest rate of caesarean sections at 38% - The World health Organisation recommends a rate of between 10 and 15%.

Sligo General has the lowest rate in the country at 19%.

The 2011 figures from the HSE were released to the Association of Improvements in Maternity Services (AIMS).

The group says the figures show that Irish women have no option but to give birth in under-staffed and over-crowded consultant-led units.

Advocacy group AIMS has produced the graphic below to illustrate the figures: