N X 1 in 4 births in England (25.1%) are now emergency caesarean sections,

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Key points from the BBC analysis:

• About 1 in 4 births in England (25.1%) are now emergency caesarean sections, the highest level recorded in NHS data. (The Guardian)

• Emergency C-sections have risen significantly over the past decade, alongside increases in planned (elective) caesareans. In 2024–25, around 20% of births were planned C-sections and 25.1% were emergency C-sections. (The Guardian)

• Overall, 45% of births in NHS England hospitals were by caesarean section, exceeding the proportion of spontaneous vaginal births (44%) for the first time in the recorded data. (The Guardian)

• Experts say there is no single explanation for the rise. Contributing factors may include:

  • More women having babies at older ages.

  • Higher rates of obesity and other health conditions.

  • More complex pregnancies.

  • Changes in clinical practice and patient choice. (The Independent)

• Women aged 40 and over are especially likely to have a caesarean birth, with around 59% of deliveries in that age group occurring by C-section. (The Guardian)

• An emergency caesarean is performed when doctors determine that a vaginal birth has become too risky for the mother or baby, for example because labour is not progressing or there are signs of fetal distress. (nhs.uk)

The BBC reported that specialists regard the trend as part of a broader shift in maternity care rather than evidence of a single underlying problem, and they note that caesarean sections are often life-saving procedures when complications arise. (AOL)