One in four babies born by caesarean section in England

One in four babies are now born by caesarean section, Latest NHS data for England shows.

This proportion has increased steadily over the past decade.

Experts say this is linked to an “increasing number” of more “complicated” pregnancies – because the mother is older or obese, for example.

But some mothers are choosing to have a caesarean section – where the baby is delivered by surgeons through a cut in the mother’s abdomen and uterus – for non-medical reasons.

In 2013-14, 13% of deliveries were cesarean.

Last year, of the 398,675 deliveries carried out by the NHS in England where the mode of induction of labor was recorded, 101,264 (25%) were caesareans.

And 67,100 of those were a planned or “elective” procedure.

Dr Rani Thakur, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG), said complicated births were a “big factor”.

“We’re seeing nationally rising rates of obesity and people choosing to have children later in life, both of which can increase the chance of complications,” she said.

The likelihood of cesarean delivery increased with maternal age.

And for those over 39, it was the most common method of delivery.

During this time most women under the age of 30 gave birth “spontaneously” vaginally, going into labor without medical intervention.

A third of all deliveries were induced, meaning labor was initiated using artificial methods such as a hormone drip or a pessary.

The RCOG does not promote one form of birth over another.

Experts say women should have the choice to give birth whenever possible and safely.

And the NHS recently lifted the limit on how many caesareans it carries out.

Maternity units were previously encouraged to promote natural births. Keep the cesarean rate around 20 percent.

But NHS advice now says Women have the right to a planned cesarean. if safe.

An NHS spokesman said: “A caesarean section is a major operation that comes with risks, so it is usually only done when it is the safest option for women and their baby.

“However, some people choose to have a C-section for a non-medical reason.

“NHS maternity teams across the country are fully committed to providing all women with the safest and most personalized care, in line with best practice guidance and informed by evidence, so that they can have the birth of their choice. Help them achieve birth.”