One in four babies in England delivered by caesarean section, NHS data shows

One in four babies born in NHS hospitals in England last year were delivered by caesarean section, official figures show.

The gradual increase in the number of caesarean births over the past decade is due to a growing number of complex pregnancies and births, caused by factors including rising obesity rates and women waiting until they are older to have children. The proportion of spontaneous deliveries that do not involve drugs or other medical interventions has steadily declined in the last 10 years.

“Over the past decade, there has been a gradual national increase in the number of caesareans,” said Dr Ranee Thakar, the president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).

“A major factor of this is the growing number of complex births. We are seeing national rising rates of obesity and people choosing to have children at a later stage in their life, both of which can increase the chance of complications.”

Most women seek a C-section for medical reasons, but also have the right to opt for one based on personal preference according to guidelines published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. These state that if a mother does not want a vaginal birth after discussing the benefits and risks, the medic should “offer a planned caesarean birth for women requesting a caesarean birth”.

In 2022, hospitals in England were told to abandon targets aimed at limiting the number caesarean sections carried out to below 20%, over fears for the safety of mothers and babies. At the time, the chief midwife described the targets as potentially unsafe. This followed the Royal College of Midwives formally abandoned its normal birth campaign in 2017, after years of promoting vaginal births as preferable.

Dr Thakar said: “The RCOG does not promote one form of birth over another. Women should be supported to make an informed decision about how they want to give birth, including a discussion on the risks and benefits of both vaginal and caesarean births. The safety and care of the woman and baby during pregnancy, labour and birth should always be the main focus.”

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Source: The Guardian, 16 December 2024