Caesarean Statistics

I was watching a birth programme this morning and heard the narrator say that 1in 5 births are done by caesarean today compared with 1 in 10 in 1980.

I couldn't help thinking how high that was so conducted a bit of research myself lol. This is due to the rise in elective caesareans. I found this article in The Observer "The increase in Caesareans has coincided with a growing shortage of midwives in the UK"

I personally don't undertstand why some people would elect a caesarean with no medical factors. I would support anyone that wanted to but personally think caesareans should be saved for emergencies, after all giving birth is what our amazing bodies were made to do.

I do know that many women have an emergency caesarean with their first child and go on to an elective caesarean for any subsequent babies. Years ago I thought this was a necessity but since my growing interest in birth I have read so much about VBAC - Vaginal Birth After Caesarean. It is possible and many women do it. There is more information on VBAC here - VBAC on Babycentre

What ever women decide, they should remember that they have a choice either way. Never be forced into doing something you're unsure of or uncomfortable with. Ask questions!!