Why one in four new babies born last year were delivered by Caesarean
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A record one in four babies born last year were delivered by Caesarean section, figures show. Obesity and mothers giving birth later in life lead to more ‘complexities’ during childbirth, which makes surgical intervention needed, according to experts.
![[The proportion of spontaneous deliveries — when a woman goes into labour without the use of drugs or other techniques — has steadily declined in the last 10 years (file image)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/22/93176225-14195631-image-a-46_1734301160837.jpg)
The proportion of spontaneous deliveries — when a woman goes into labour without the use of drugs or other techniques — has steadily declined in the last 10 years. Of the 398,675 deliveries in England last year where the method of onset of birth was known, some 101,264, — or 25 per cent — were Caesarean sections.
![[Obesity and mothers giving birth later in life lead to more ‘complexities’ during childbirth, which makes surgical intervention needed, according to experts (file image)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/22/93176219-14195631-image-a-48_1734301167240.jpg)
This is up from 23 per cent in the previous 12 months and 13 per cent a decade ago. Of the total Caesareans last year, 67,100 were elective — or planned — and usually carried out around the 39th week of pregnancy. This is an increase on the 61,030 elective Caesareans reported in 2022/23.
The NHS allows C-sections for mothers who want C-sections for non-medical reasons — sometimes described as being ‘too posh to push’. A caesarean section in operation. A record one in four babies born last year were delivered by Caesarean section, figures show (file image).
The proportion of spontaneous deliveries — when a woman goes into labour without the use of drugs or other techniques — has steadily declined in the last 10 years (file image). But midwives will explain the many downsides to this. They include complications, including blood clots, excessive bleeding, damage to neighbouring areas such as the bladder or tubes connecting the kidney and bladder, and accidentally cutting the baby when the womb is opened.
