One in four babies born in NHS hospitals throughout England in 2023 were delivered by Caesarean section, data has revealed. According to experts, the gradual increase in Caesarean births over the past decade is due to a “growing number” of complexities including rising obesity rates and many waiting until later in life to have children.
The proportion of spontaneous deliveries, where someone goes into labour without the use of drugs or other techniques, has been steadily declining over the last decade.
Of the 398,675 deliveries in England last year for which the method of onset of birth was known, Caesarean sections accounted for 101,264 or around 25%. This is up from 23% in the previous 12 months and 13% ten years ago.
Of the total Caesarean births last year, 67,100 were recorded as elective. This means they were a planned procedure usually around the 39th week. This is a rise from the 61,030 Caesarean births reported in 2022/23.
The proportion of emergency Caesarean sections also rose from 29,315 to 32,463.
“Over the past decade, there has been a gradual national increase in the number of Caesareans,” Dr Ranee Thakar, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), said. “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 state in their life, both of which can increase the chance of complications.”
One in three of the total deliveries for 2023/24 were induced, meaning that labour was started using artificial methods including membrane sweep, pessary, or hormone dip. This proportion has not changed much over the past few years.
Spontaneous delivery on the other hand has been steadily declining. In 2023/14 they made up 62% but in 2023/24 that dropped to just 42%.
“The RCOG does not promote one form of birth over another,” Dr Thakar added. “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.”
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