Caesarean births now exceed vaginal births in England

Caesarean sections have surpassed natural vaginal births in England for the first time, with C-sections accounting for 45% of births in 2024-25. This shift is attributed to complex factors including increased maternal age, pre-existing health conditions like diabetes and obesity, and women's preferences, alongside improved detection of fetal distress during labor. Experts suggest that concerns about maternity care support may lead some women to view C-sections as the "least worst option," contributing to a doubling of C-section rates over the past decade.