MORE than half of babies born in Britain last year were delivered with medical intervention, according to the latest NHS audit.
The National Maternity and Perinatal Audit (NMPA) analysed 592,594 births across England, Scotland, and Wales in 2023. It found that 50.6% involved either caesarean section or the use of instruments such as forceps or a ventouse suction cup. Caesarean deliveries were the main driver of this rise, increasing from 25% in 2015–16 to 38.9% in 2023. Induction rates also rose from 29.3% to 33.9%, while instrumental deliveries fell slightly from 12.3% to 11.1%.
Of the caesareans, 23.1% were emergencies and 16.4% were planned. Experts attributed the shift to demographic trends, including more women giving birth later in life, rising obesity, and an increase in pre-existing maternal conditions. These factors contribute to more complex pregnancies, particularly among women from ethnic minority groups and those experiencing deprivation. While some clinicians voiced concern that over half of all births now involve intervention, others emphasised that rising caesarean rates are not inherently unsafe if health services adapt with appropriate staffing, facilities, and training.
The NMPA also confirmed that fertility rates continue to fall. England and Wales recorded their lowest birth numbers since 1977, with a fertility rate of 1.44 children per woman, while Scotland’s fell to an all-time low of 1.3.
Experts stress the importance of strengthening antenatal services to detect complications early and support safe childbirth. With caesareans now the norm for almost two in five mothers, maternity care systems will need to keep evolving.
Reference
Campbell D. More than half of UK births now involve medical intervention, audit finds, The Guardian. 2025. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/sep/11/more-than-half-of-uk-births-now-involve-medical-intervention-audit-finds. Last accessed: 11 September 2025
