I recently read that WHO seems concerned with the rise in c sections in the U.K. as we are above the “recommended” percentage. Do you think it’s a concern?

If it's anything like the US they are concerned about the percentage because too many c sections are done on women who don't actually need it but are pushed for it even though they didn't want one

I’m in the USA and our c section rates rise every year so the medical system can profit 🥳 also some doctors schedule their patients for c sections so the rest of their month isn’t messed up by spontaneous labor

There are evolutionary consequences, e.g. larger skulls and smaller pelvises and increased risk of genetic diseases in later life, I think they’re the main concerns

We only recently removed the limits on c-sections because it was putting patients at risk. https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-news-blogs/hospitals-england-told-stop-trying-limit-number-c-section-births

Based on the 'I told you so' like joy on my midwifes face when I ended up having to have a planned one vs the spontaneous labour I had wanted I would say it's a valid conversation to have. But, also accept putting ideal percentages as a measurement is not actually conducive to productive patient led change either.

The rise in c sections in the UK isn't because of electives, though. If that was the case, I don't think it's anything to be concerned about. It's the rise of unnecessary inductions that then lead to c sections that is the concern, and also doctors pushing for a c section because it's "taking too long" I was offered an induction at 39 weeks, and the offer was "because you're close to 40 weeks." No other reason, no concerns for mine or my babies health, I declined and went into labour naturally at 40+4, had an 8 hour labour, and everything was smooth. I know that if I had accepted the induction, it would have been a long difficult labour, which would have resulted in a c section because my baby and body weren't ready yet.

I’m not concerned but I’m about to be a 2 time section mum. If I actually felt safe in the nhs to have a vaginal birth I would consider it, but I don’t. Every woman in my family was butchered (2 needing surgery to fix damage). I didn’t want that treatment so I chose my birth and loved it. Poor maternal care, failing maternity units nationwide, strikes and cutbacks is putting Womens care at risk. Hospitals are run as businesses nowadays, at least having a section booked meant I could have a guaranteed bed xx

I’ve heard that a lot of elective c sections are encouraged as it makes it easier for the staff to plan/assign resource. I can understand that to an extent but if that’s the only reason some are being booked without a medical need, I find that concerning. But with the nhs being so understaffed and in the state it is I also find it concerning to potentially be in spontaneous labour in an understaffed and underprepared maternity dept!

The 10-15% metric is based solely on medically necessary C-sections and doesn’t account for women who want an elective C-section or a planned C-section due the chance of a high risk delivery. I can’t speak for other countries, but in Canada they want to turnover beds. A vaginal delivery is a one night stay max. A C-section could be 2-4 nights. Most doctors want to avoid a longer hospital stay. Making the call to perform a C-section before it becomes a medical emergency isn’t taken lightly and isn’t driven by profits. It’s easy to say a C-section was forced or unnecessary in hindsight when mother and baby are happy and healthy, but if the doctor waited it out there’s a chance one or both could’ve died and then people would be screaming malpractice and asking “why didn’t you do a C-section?!”

My c section was as the result of dangerously poor medical care. It's not just about those that choose that route and takes into account other circumstances.

@Sarah I totally agree with you about not feeling safe in the NHS. I had an awful vaginal birth with staff shortages, no one coming to check on me for hours and just general disorganisation massively adding to the trauma. I’m considering an elective next time for the exact reason then at least you know there will be actual staff there to look after you and deliver your baby safely!

@Andi yes I remember when they removed it and thought thank god they did. My friend’s sister has brain damage due to the hospital refusing to give her mum a c section.

So sorry to hear that. I really hope they don’t go back to having an arbitrary limit.

I thought you could only opt for a c section if medically necessary

The concern is doctors coercing patients. The most common I see is trying to push people to get induced. There are certainly cases where it’s necessary but I hear a ton where it’s clearly not or at the very least the doctor has not fully advised the mother why they’re suggesting it and what the risks are both ways. And many people end up with unwanted c-sections due to unnecessary inductions. An arbitrary limit is bizarre and unsafe but i definitely feel like a lot of doctors need a refresher course on informed consent and updated risk statistics. I’m in Canada but I feel like it’s not just here

It's not the electives that are the issue it's the doctors putting pressure to do emergency ones when there isn't that much of an emergency. Ans it's quite a big issue because it can be super traumatic

Mine was classed as elective but LO was super breech. I know I could have tried a breech birth, but then I think it would have turned to emergency anyway. Idk, I feel like there should be another name other than "elective" because really, I didn't have much of a choice?

I won’t lie it blew my mind when I found out you could choose to have a c section I thought it was for emergencies only. I thought why would you choose that? 🤔 but women have their reasons I guess

@Beth same! Breech twins, no one has willing to deliver them any other way, but that went down as an elective planned section when it was the absolute last thing I wanted.

Women should make informed choices.... When you are pregnant the cons of a c section are pushed and the cons of a vaginal birth down played. Women should be better informed and prepared for c sections alongside vaginal birth... especially with the stats that 1 in 4 will end in a c section. We've seen all across the UK via various maternity scandals that prioritising vaginal birth at any cost has dire consequences. It is not always best. More studies need to compare outcomes from vaginal birth vs elective/planned c sections. Currently a lot of the stats and data compares straight forward vaginal births to c sections (elective and emergency) which of course skews the results and portrays c sections in a negative light. These are then used to scare pregnant women and then of course cause unnecessary trauma when/ if they then end up needing a c section. I'm also all for c sections when I hear about how poor the after care in the UK is for issues such as prolapse, incontinence etc.

I chose a c section... the cons seemed fewer and rarer than those of a vaginal birth. I knew I would feel safer with a team of 10+ medical professionals dedicated to us for our time in theatre, everything would be on hand for every eventuality. C sections have possibly risen because women are becoming more aware of their rights and options in the UK... many are realising there are no medals for suffering. I think women are also more open about their birthing experiences than previous generations and making decisions factoring in the experiences of those around them.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9536923/Women-plan-C-section-no-likely-suffer-poor-outcomes.html https://www.cmaj.ca/content/193/18/E634 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-10570261/If-mums-told-TRUTH-natural-birth-C-sections-like-did.html https://www.patientclaimline.com/article/maternity-failings-make-up-the-majority-of-nhs-negligence-costs/#:~:text=Despite%20this%2C%20a%20report%20by,maternity%2Drelated%20negligence%20claims%20alone. https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/may/26/nhs-england-spent-41bn-over-11-years-settling-lawsuits-over-brain-damaged-babies

@Ally no you can have a c section if you choose to, however if there’s no reason for one they tend to advise against, but as soon as you enter as high risk they’ll start advising towards one. My first pregnancy I was planned natural towards the end I’d been back and forth thinking something was wrong nobody listened I said my waters broke a week before, I rang the hospital bleeding to be told my waters had infact broke and my placenta was coming away. I was rushing for an emergency c section. My second baby I wanted vbac and got upset at the fact that nobody told me if an induction fails then they end up in sections after my induction was started!. I stood with my decision and when they said that I wasn’t 1cm dilated id have to have a c section a midwife who knew how I felt said she was able to break my waters after others said they couldn’t. After 14 hours I wasn’t progressing so ended up in an emergency again! My pregnant with baby number 3 I’ve opted for c section this time.

The real concern is why so many women want a section (I am one of those women so I have zero hate) the issue is with the amount of inductions and medical interventions making women scared to give birth ‘naturally’ or being traumatised by previous births due to complications and interventions

@Tiffany I'd say for the 3rd that is a medical reason though. But that might be a biased opinion. My 1st c section was 2022, I had twins that shared a placenta so the told me vaginally wasn't even an option as too risky, I went with it and ended up have an early elective as my twins stopped growing. My 2nd was 18 months after this and they told me I needed one, I said no but they kept urging me to have it. In the end I gave in and booked in for as late as possible because I wanted the chance to try vbac, section was booked for 39+5. My waters started going at 35+2 then Labour started 2 weeks later 37+3 they said they'd give me a c section the next day because I'd drank a coffee that morning🤣baby decided that wasn't good enough and my contractions went from every 30 minutes since 2am up until 5pm when I was told I had to wait to every 3 minutes both me and baby in distress. Then babies heart had stopped and I was rushed in for an emergency. I am now pregnant again and plan from the beginning is c section

I decided another c section because there is only 15 months apart and last time was quite traumatic, but as there are no health concerns for the baby they won't do it before 39 weeks, however I am now 26 weeks and my body has started to prepare for labour so little dude might be coming early via emergency again🙃

I think the concern is to why. The why is that too many women a coerced into inductions and they use fearmongering tactics to do this. Induction also increase your risk of c-section massively. Also, they don't tell a woman all of the risks of induction as well as c-section. I am a full advocate for women to choose how they birth and I also had a planned c-section with my first. However, since doing my own research and not just blindly listening to doctors, I have opted for a home birth for my second. This is because I now know the risks of induction and c-section. I also feel that the NHS does over medicalise birth and women are being told time and time again that they cannot birth their babies without medical intervention and we have lost confidence in our ability to do so. X

As a 3 time c section mum I 100% think it's concerning. Yes many of us were made to feel like it was our only option. I think @Saff hit the nail on the head. I was induced with first pregnancy, really didn't know any better. Trusted the 'professionals' didn't have any family around me at the time as they live abroad.