A MENTALLY ill woman has given birth to a boy after a judge gave specialists the go-ahead to perform a caesarean section.

Mrs Justice Lieven decided on June 10 that the woman, who has schizophrenia and is being cared for in a specialist unit, did not have the mental capacity to make decisions about birth options.

The judge concluded that allowing the woman, who is in her late 30s, to give birth naturally would be too risky, and said a planned caesarean would be a better option.

Mrs Justice Lieven said on Thursday, in a written ruling on the case which has been published online, that the woman had given birth to a boy who was “doing well”.

She said the woman had “engaged” with medical staff and had not needed to be subjected to any restraint.

The judge, who is based in London, had made a decision a week ago after considering the woman’s case at an online hearing in the Court of Protection, where issues relating to people who lack the mental capacity to take decisions are analysed.

She said the woman could not be identified in media reports of the case.

Bosses at two NHS trusts – the University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust and the Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust – have responsibility for the woman’s care and had asked the judge to decide what moves were in her best interests.

Mrs Justice Lieven heard from barrister Emma Sutton, who represented the two trusts, and barrister Katie Gollop QC, who represented the woman.

Lawyers told Mrs Justice Lieven that social services staff planned to remove the baby from the woman’s care at birth.

The judge was told that the woman was not well enough to care for a baby at present.

She said she hoped the woman would be able to have a relationship with the child in future.

Dr Alyson O’Donnell, chief medical officer, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, said: "This is a very sad case.

"It is a very uncommon that the trust would need to ask for the support of the courts in this way and we are very grateful for the assistance of the court in achieving a safe outcome in difficult circumstances for everyone."