Pregnant women should take extra care to protect themselves against the dreaded Aussie flu heading to Britain: Having a virus during labour increases the risk of a caesarean by 12%

Having the flu during labour may increase the risk of needing a caesarean section, a new study concludes.

The findings suggest pregnant women should be concerned about catching the dreaded Aussie flu that is set to blight Britain this winter.

Mothers-to-be who are struck down with an illness are 12 per cent more likely to need the operation to deliver their baby, researchers found. 

Intrapartum fever, which occurs during labour, also heightens the risk of needing an operative vaginal delivery using forceps.