Shocking C-Section delivery rate of a quarter of all babies in England

October 28, 2009 by Baby Chums
Filed under: Baby Health, News, Pregnancy

A quarter of babies delivered in England are by C-Section. This figure is double the World Health Organisation’s recommended rate and described as a, “serious cause for concern” by LibDem health spokesman Norman Lamb.

Almost 25% or around 155,000 babies last year were delivered via caesarean section despite efforts to reduce the number of surgical deliveries.

C-Section delivery accounts for over a third of Chelsea and Westminster trust babies, indicating ‘too posh to push’ is more than a laughable buzz word, it’s a reality. Just 15.8 per cent of Nottingham babies were delivered via C-Section in stark comparison.

A Chelsea and Westminster Hospital spokesman said its figures included the private maternity unit: “If these figures are excluded, the hospital’s rate of caesarean section is 26 per cent which is very comparable to other units in London,”

Although emergency caesarean births can be life-saving, planned surgery is recognised as riskier for mothers and babies. Women are more likely to develop complications and the infants are more likely to suffer breathing difficulties.

Six out of eight hospitals with a rate above 30 per cent were in and around London. The WHO says the rate should be no higher than 10 to 15 per cent.

Cathy Warwick, general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, said: ‘There is now general acceptance among maternity services’ professionals that the caesarean section rates are too high and that some women and their babies are being subjected to unnecessary medical interventions.’