Figures show a record one in four babies born last year were born by caesarean section.
Obesity and the fact that mothers give birth later in life create more “complexities” during childbirth, making surgical intervention necessary, according to experts.
The proportion of spontaneous births (when a woman goes into labor without the use of drugs or other techniques) has decreased steadily over the past 10 years.
Of the 398,675 births in England last year where the method of birth was known, some 101,264 (or 25 per cent) were caesarean sections.
This represents an increase from 23 percent in the previous 12 months and 13 percent a decade ago.
Of last year’s total C-sections, 67,100 were elective (or planned) and were generally performed around the 39th week of pregnancy.
This is an increase from the 61,030 elective caesarean sections reported in 2022/23.
The NHS allows caesarean sections for mothers who want caesarean sections for non-medical reasons, which is sometimes described as “too posh to push”.
A cesarean section in operation. A record: One in four babies born last year was born by caesarean section, figures show (file image)
The rate of spontaneous births (when a woman goes into labor without the use of drugs or other techniques) has fallen steadily over the past 10 years (file image)
But midwives will explain the many disadvantages of this.
They include complications, such as blood clots, excessive bleeding, damage to neighboring areas such as the bladder or the tubes that connect the kidney and bladder, and accidentally cutting the baby when the uterus opens.
It will also leave a scar.
The proportion of emergency caesarean sections (when doctors may deem a vaginal birth too risky) also increased year on year from 29,315 to 32,463.
Dr Ranee Thakar, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG), said: “Over the last decade, there has been a gradual national increase in the number of caesarean sections.
‘An important factor is the increasing number of complex births. We are seeing rising national rates of obesity and people choosing to have children later in life, which can increase the chances of complications.’
One third of total births for 2023/24 were induced, that is, labor was initiated using artificial methods.
This proportion has remained virtually unchanged in recent years.
However, spontaneous birth has steadily decreased year on year from 62 per cent in 2013/14 to 42 per cent in 2023/24.
Obesity and the fact that mothers give birth later in life generate more “complexities” during childbirth, making surgical intervention necessary, according to experts (file image)
Dr Thakar added: ‘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 about the risks and benefits of vaginal and cesarean births.
“The safety and care of the woman and baby during pregnancy, labor and delivery should always be the primary goal.”
An NHS spokesperson said: “A caesarean section is a major operation which carries risks, so it is usually carried out when it is the safest option for women and their baby; however, some choose to have a caesarean section for a non-medical reason.” .
“NHS maternity teams across the country are fully committed to providing the safest and most personalized care possible to all women, in line with best practice and evidence-based, to help them achieve the type of birth they want.” .