For the first time in England, caesarean sections have surpassed natural vaginal births, according to NHS data released on Tuesday. In 2024-25, 45% of births were via C-section, 44% were natural vaginal births, and 11% were assisted with instruments such as forceps or ventouse.
The data, covering April 2024 to March 2025, shows that more than four in ten caesareans were elective planned operations. Among women under 30, natural birth remained most common, but for those aged 30 and over, caesareans were the predominant method. For women aged 40 and above, 59% of births were by C-section.
Overall, 20% of births were planned caesareans and 25.1% were emergency procedures, both the highest on record. The total number of deliveries in NHS hospitals was 542,235, down from 636,643 in 2014-15. One in four births (23.9%) were to mothers aged over 35.
The rise in caesareans has been attributed to increasing complex pregnancies due to factors like rising obesity rates and later childbearing. An audit published in September found that half of women giving birth in Britain now do so with medical intervention.
Senior midwife Donna Ockenden said the trend is complex, noting that women prioritise a safe birth and should not be criticised. Professor Soo Downe added that some women choose C-sections as a 'least-worst option' due to lack of support for natural birth, while others simply prefer it.
