More than half of women giving birth in Britain now rely on medical intervention, according to the latest National Maternity and Perinatal Audit (NMPA). The report shows that in 2023, 50.6% of the 592,594 births in England, Scotland, and Wales were assisted by caesarean sections, forceps, or ventouse suction cups.
The surge in caesarean deliveries has been the main driver behind this shift. Caesarean births accounted for 38.9% of deliveries in 2023, up from 25% in 2015-16. Of these, 23.1% were emergency caesareans while 16.4% were planned. By contrast, the use of forceps and ventouse cups fell slightly, from 12.3% to 11.1% over the same period. Induced labours also rose modestly, from 29.3% to 33.9%.
Experts explain the trend
Health specialists link the increase in medical intervention to more complex pregnancies, often linked to maternal age, obesity, diabetes, and pre-existing conditions. Dr Shuby Puthussery, Associate Professor of Maternal and Child Health at the University of Bedfordshire, warned that the rising figures highlight deeper demographic issues, particularly among ethnic minority groups and women living in poverty. She stressed that greater access to antenatal care and scans could reduce the need for medical intervention at birth.
On the other hand, Professor Asma Khalil, Vice-President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), said the trend is not necessarily concerning. “Caesarean births are common and the steady increase isn’t a cause for alarm if services are prepared with proper staffing, training, and facilities,” she noted.
Fertility rates at historic lows
The NMPA also confirmed a sharp decline in fertility rates across the UK. England and Wales recorded the lowest number of births since 1977, with fertility at 1.44 children per woman. Scotland’s fertility rate hit an all-time low of 1.3 in 2023, reflecting a broader demographic shift.
Broader context
The findings come as NHS maternity services face increasing pressure to adapt to a changing patient population. Experts stress that while there is no “ideal” rate for caesarean births, the priority should remain ensuring safe outcomes for mothers and babies. The report, a collaboration between the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, underlines the urgent need for investment in maternal healthcare infrastructure.
