A bold shift in England’s childbirth landscape: Caesarean births now outpace natural vaginal deliveries for the first time, according to NHS data.
Last year, 45% of all births in England occurred by C-section, 44% were natural vaginal births, and 11% involved instrument-assisted delivery (using tools like forceps or a ventouse), as the latest statistics show. Notably, more than four in ten of the caesarean procedures were elective, meaning planned in advance rather than urgent.
Age patterns emerge as well: among women under 30, the majority delivered vaginally, while for women aged 30 and above, caesareans were more common. The 40-plus group showed a striking 59% rate of C-sections. Overall, 2024–25 saw 20% of births planned caesareans and 25.1% emergency caesareans—the highest percentages on record.
The data covers deliveries from April 2024 through March 2025 in NHS England hospitals. In total, there were 542,235 deliveries in this period, a decrease from 636,643 in 2014–15, with roughly one in four births (23.9%) to mothers aged over 35.
Past figures illustrate a rising trend: in 2023–24, caesarean deliveries accounted for 42% of births (225,762), up from 26.5% in 2014–15. The shift over the last decade is commonly linked to higher rates of complex pregnancies, influenced by factors such as rising obesity and older maternal age. During the same span, spontaneous, drug-free births have diminished steadily.
A September audit of NHS maternity care highlighted a broader trend: about half of births in Britain now involve some medical intervention. Across England, Scotland, and Wales, C-sections rose from 25% in 2015–16 to 38.9% in 2023.
Donna Ockenden, a leading figure in the UK’s maternity inquiry, described the rise as a “complex” and evolving issue. In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, she emphasized that many women want a safe birth and that blame should not fall on those who choose or require a C-section. She noted that wider determinants—poverty, pre-existing health conditions, and limits in pre-pregnancy optimization—shape outcomes as much as medical decisions.
Soo Downe, a midwifery professor, suggested that some women view caesareans as the least risky option when adequate support or hospital resources are lacking—such as closed birth centres, unavailable home-birth options, or when a midwife can’t reach a woman in labor. For others, a C-section is a deliberate preference and entirely appropriate.
What this means for expectant families is nuanced: while some circumstances truly warrant a surgical birth, others reflect system pressures and access barriers. As conversations around childbirth continue, the debate intensifies over how best to balance safety, autonomy, and the availability of supportive, timely care. Do you think the current trend should prompt changes in policy or practice to expand options or improve pre-birth health and planning? Share your views in the comments.
