More Than Half of UK Births Now Involve Medical Intervention

Published: 11 September 2025 | The English Chronicle Online

A new audit of NHS maternity care has revealed that more than half of all births in the United Kingdom now involve some form of medical intervention. The data, covering 592,594 births in 2023, shows that 50.6 percent of women gave birth either through a caesarean section or with the aid of instruments such as forceps or ventouse suction cups.

The shift marks a major change in the way babies are born in Britain, with experts pointing to demographic and health trends as the underlying causes. Caesarean births in particular have become increasingly common, rising from 25 percent of deliveries in 2015–16 to almost 39 percent in 2023. While the rate of induced labours has also climbed modestly, from 29.3 percent to 33.9 percent, the use of instruments such as forceps and suction devices has slightly declined, falling from 12.3 percent to 11.1 percent.

Specialists attribute these changes to more complex pregnancies, often linked to women having children later in life as well as the growing prevalence of obesity, maternal diabetes and other pre-existing medical conditions. According to Dr. Shuby Puthussery, an associate professor in maternal and child health at the University of Bedfordshire, the findings are concerning because they highlight how demographic trends are shaping the nature of childbirth. She noted that older age, health complications, and social factors, particularly among ethnic minority communities and those experiencing poverty, have all contributed to the rise in interventions. She added that better access to antenatal care, including routine scans, could help detect risks earlier and reduce the likelihood of complications during labour.

Not all experts, however, view the increase in caesareans as negative. Professor Asma Khalil, vice-president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, explained that the procedure has become more common globally and does not necessarily increase health risks when services are well-staffed and properly equipped. She stressed that the steady rise in complex pregnancies, driven by lifestyle factors and delayed parenthood, makes it essential that maternity units are prepared to adapt with the right facilities and training.

The report also highlighted a wider demographic challenge, noting that the overall fertility rate in England and Wales fell to 1.44 children per woman in 2023, the lowest figure since 1977. Scotland reported an even steeper decline, with fertility dropping to just 1.3 babies per woman, the lowest in its recorded history. At the same time, the number of births in England and Wales has been steadily decreasing since 2012, reflecting broader social and economic changes.

Compiled by the National Maternity and Perinatal Audit, a partnership between leading medical colleges and researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the study underscores how both medical practice and demographic patterns are reshaping childbirth in Britain.